Have you heard of Pilates and you are wondering if it’s right for you? Maybe you think it’s yoga or  will be “too easy”. Tune in to hear Pilates Instructor Kate Boyle break down the differences between Pilates and other forms of exercise plus benefits that can be gained from practicing Pilates, whether you struggle with mobility or you’re an experienced athlete. This week Jenn is joined by Pilates Instructor, Kate Boyle. With her extensive background in dance and learning how to heal her own injuries, Kate decided to use her knowledge to help others heal their bodies as well. Kate breaks down what Pilates is along with the different types of Pilates classes you may see advertised. She breaks down the science and methodologies behind Pilates, and emphasizes how it can help you in everyday life. Kate talks about the mind-body connection that she teaches her clients to focus on when practicing Pilates and how it is the foundation for everything else you do in life. Tune in to learn more and decide if Pilates is right for you! The Salad With a Side of Fries podcast is hosted by Jenn Trepeck, discussing wellness and weight loss for real life, clearing up the myths, misinformation, bad science & marketing surrounding our nutrition knowledge and the food industry. Let’s dive into wellness and weight loss for real life, including drinking, eating out, and skipping the grocery store. IN THIS EPISODE: ● [5:22] How did Kate get into fitness and Pilates? ● [7:16] What is Pilates?● [9:33] What is true Pilates vs. what you might experience at a gym or hotel class?● [13:01] How can someone know that Pilates is the right fit for them?● [15:42] What information can people look for to know what to expect from a Pilates experience? ● [21:04] What does it mean to connect the breath to the movement and your core and pelvic floor?● [23:34] Where does the science come in and where does the methodology stem from for Pilates?● [25:26] Kate walks us through a way to connect to your core and pelvic floor. ● [28:45] How does Pilates help you in everyday life? ● [32:03] Why do you need a lower amount of reps during Pilates?● [35:16] Kate shares a story about how a client's Mind-Body Connection during Pilates spilled over into other areas of their life. KEY TAKEAWAYS: ● [22:38] The pelvic floor, the core, and the breath are all interconnected and essential for having everyday strength. ● [24:22] Pilates is great for everyone! No matter your age, there are benefits that you can get from practicing pilates and it can be customized to what it is you are needing. The intensity can be increased or decreased based on where a person is with their strength and individual needs. ● [36:49] Pilates is like the glue for everything else. It’s the glue for everyday life, for the activities you want to do just to have fun, a way to excel and stay fit in the sports you are playing, manage stress, and more. It helps people physically and mentally. QUOTES: [6:03] “I’d torn the meniscus in my knee, I had hamstring injuries, back pain, all the dancer stuff, and I started to heal my own body from doing Pilates, and then went oh my goodness, this system is amazing. If I can heal myself, I can help others.” - Kate Boyle[14:00] “I’ll get athletes that are wanting to cross train and really expand in their sport. Golf is a great example, it’s all one sided, rotational to one side. So when we build up the strength and stabilization to the other side, they get more power, a better swing, and really excel in their game.” - Kate Boyle[14:53] “Even people where their mobility isn’t as great anymore, and it might be as simple as trying to reach up to that top cupboard is getting really hard because they're getting really stiff through their shoulder, we can really work on that shoulder range and strength, so just everyday movements become easier.” - Kate Boyle[30:50] “You are learning how to move while being present with your body. So many other exercises we do, we’ll jump up a treadmill, stick the headphones on or turn the TV on and start walking and running away and we’re thinking about the shopping we’ve got to do and the kids we’ve got to pick up. In Pilates you can’t do that because then you’ll lose your breath or what your movement’s doing, how many reps you’ve done, so it means for your workout, you actually have to be present in your body.” - Kate Boyle[32:25] “I think that’s a different sort of mindset as well, so many other modalities were like no, no, no, you’ve got to do your 10 or your 20 and you’ve got to push through. Whereas Pilates is very much no, no, no, your body is telling you this is just too hard. Right now, we’re going to start gripping the opposite muscles that shouldn’t be activating, so we’re going to hold our breath to get through, we’re going to brace those abs. So rather than doing that, where we’re not getting any benefits, take a short five second rest and then continue if you can.” - Kate Boyle "You can strengthen your body in a way that's both supportive and restorative." - Jenn TrepeckRESOURCES:Become A Member of Salad with a Side of FriesJenn’s Free Menu PlanA Salad With a Side of FriesA Salad With A Side Of Fries MerchA Salad With a Side of Fries InstagramGUEST RESOURCESMind Movement Health WebsiteMind Movement Health FacebookMind Movement Health InstagramMind Movement Health LinkedInMind Movement Health YouTubeMind Movement Health Podcast GUEST BIO:Passionate about holistic health and great movement, Kate runs her online movement and health platform, Mind Movement Health. Having been an elite level dancer she gravitated to a career in health due to her love of movement and wanting to get a better understanding of nutrition to improve overall health and performance. She has extensive training and qualifications in Pilates and various other movement modalities including the Gyrotonic Expansion System© and Classical Ballet. A qualified Nutritionist and Food Scientist (BHSc.) Kate has worked within the health and nutrition field for more than 20 years and is passionate about helping everyone move well, eliminate pain, live a balanced life and make being healthy EASY.For more information and to check out her online Health and Movement Membership please head to www.MindMovementHealth.com.au