The Hundred Pilates Studio Archives

Elena standing proudly at the finish line after completing her 10k Dubai Marathon journey | The Hundred Pilates Studio

Joseph Pilates created his exercises as a way to increase overall fitness for anyone. However, because graceful, flowing movements are part of the full Pilates exercises, and because they build strength without building bulky muscles, they were quickly adopted by dancers and gymnasts. Runners didn’t consider the benefits of Pilates until it was more widespread.

For example, Elena one of our expert teachers at the Hundred Pilates Studio in Dubai who has recently and proudly completed her 10K Dubai Marathon journey, reveals the benefits of cross-training Pilates with her running regime and how it has helped her reach the finish line:

“So I decided to run my first 10k after many years of completely ignoring and excluding running from my everyday routine. Online research and analyzing movement patterns of my clients who started doing Pilates to improve their running technique helped me to understand that my main goal is to prevent a possible injury and enjoy every mile of my 10k journey. Being a Pilates teacher and practitioner for years, I got spoiled by a variety of movements and amazing ranges that the contrology method can bring into your body during the practice. Hence getting into a quite repetitive routine like running was already a big challenge. I ran for a good cause starting my training with Pink 10k application (breast cancer awareness campaign ) that got me from a combination of 2 min jog with 2 min walk to my cherished 10k in 4 month.

I must admit it was HARD and so different from what my body got used to until the moment I relaxed and started enjoying the movements, the same way I enjoy it at the Pilates Studio. Thinking about the proper alignment, moving from the centre, breathing, engaging my core, feeling my limbs being extensions of my belly and my spine and being present in my body every single second with every single step I took.

I had to spend many hours in the studio working with Pilates foot corrector to strengthen my feet and ankles that helped me to distribute the impact and weight bearing more gradually in order to avoid knee/hip injury. I focused on a lot of core work and upper body to keep my posture perfectly supported while running. Not to mentioned how many stretches on different pieces of Pilates equipment I had to do in these 4 months pre-race. I still can’t understand how people jog and only spend only 5-10min doing very basic stretches. My advice is to warm up and STRETCH! And the more sophisticated and varied your stretches are THE BETTER and less chances of injury!” – Elena

While all runners should stretch before they run, some runners’ training programs don’t focus enough on stretching. Strength and endurance training alone won’t provide the progressive stretching that regular Pilates workouts will. Insufficiently stretched muscles can cause many problems for a runner, slowing them down at best, or leading to a serious injury at worst.

Just like stretching, Pilates helps runners focus on their breathing. This benefit is synergistic with the stretching because warming up the core helps the intercostal muscles that connect the ribs. This makes it easier to breathe smoothly using all available lung capacity.

Stretching - the key to injury prevention! — Stretching – the key to injury prevention!

And on a final encouraging advice and note from Elena….

“I always encourage my clients to stay active and cross-train (add new workout varieties) to their fitness routine as I truly believe that movement heels and keeps you young and fully alive. Dedicate yourself to the movement and you will start enjoying your life and appreciating your body so much more!”

Discover how Pilates can help you with your current fitness regime by visiting our website at : www.thehundred.ae

“Physical Fitness is the first prerequisite of Happiness” – Joseph H Pilates

“Pilates is a phenomenal way to increase your overall body awareness, combining techniques to strengthen deep postural muscles such as our Powerhouse – the core. With every Pilates posture, deep concentration is focused on every inhale and exhale in order to ensure every exertion and relaxation is attained correctly. Pilates has the ability to strengthen muscles, increase flexibility, as well as improve posture, balance, coordination and ultimately breath.

I have been fortunate to try out different Pilates methods conducted by different instructors.. However The Hundred Pilates Studio was definitely an experience worth mentioning. Pilates is a very precise concept whereby focal muscles and joints must be targeted correctly in order to ensure a proper technique; to allow for the exercise benefits.

The most common Pilates we read about or know about is only the Mat Pilates Classes.. The Hundred Pilates Studio introduced me to a whole new world..

In addition to these lovely tools, you have the most versatile and effective of all The Cadillac. This ‘Trapeze Table’ can allow for a series of exercises combining bars, straps, springs or levers.

Now here’s a grand selection of equipment provided by one of Dubai’s expert Pilates Studio.. Each piece of equipment is uniquely designed to target different areas where you can intensify a particular workout routine just by using a different equipment.

If you’re looking for an effective Pilates workout instructed by professionals within the field.. this is the place for you.

If you’re looking for more than a single way to target your muscles.. this is the place for you.

If you’re looking for a long, lean and strong body.. this is the place for you.

The Hundred Pilates Studio has given me more than a hundred reasons as to why Pilates is an exercise that can support any type of work out routine..

Centering, Concentration, Control, Precision, Breath & Flow..”

For More Information Please Visit: https://www.thehundred.ae

This article is a live review by Noura G – the founder of Dolce Diamente Dolce – thank you Noura!

A famous and favorite Middle Eastern dip is the Muhammara consisting of delicious roasted red pepper, spicy flakes, cumin and sweet’n’tangy pomegranate molasses. We revised the version to give you the taste with less oil. It really is that simple! Enjoy your winter-warming dip that pairs well with vegetable sticks or warm fluffy bread!

Continue reading “muhammara – the healthier roast pepper and walnut dip”

Here we go. That french fries craving kicks in and you know it will go straight to the hips. If you’re craving a salty, crispy and still VERY delicious fries while taking in your vegetable quota with a rich marinara sauce on the side, then I highly recommend this recipe. With no oil, egg or butter, this addictive crunchy Zucchini baked fries with Parmesan cheese will kill those naughty cravings. Best of all, you can have it all and it sits under a full meal’s worth of calories at around 250 Kcals. It is extremely easy to prepare and only 20 minutes to bake. And if you have kids at home, they are bound to love this crispy healthy “Zucchini fries” – less time, less stress, more happiness in the household!

Continue reading “rosemary & parmesan zucchini baked chips”

The “Let’s De-Stress” 7 Pilates inspired exercise series focuses on releasing tension and relaxing after a long busy day at work/family errands. You will also tone areas around your neck, chest, back, and legs which have either been over-used in stressful positions from your day, or immobile due to long hours sat behind the desk or car. This short video is great to practice on daily basis as you’ll feel less constricted, your breath will slow down to a healthier pace and your mind will de-clutter, all while reinvigorating your system again. So clear out your room and press play to begin!

Video link to the 7 part series: How to De-stress after work with tension relieving pilates inspired exercises

To find out how you can take your Pilates classes to a real “live” setting taught by our Pilates experts, visit our studio’s website – The Hundred Pilates Studio in Dubai, U.A.E at: https://www.thehundred.ae

This article was sourced from Women’s Best Health
By: Dr. Marianne Beck

We live in a hectic and “stressed out” world. Life seems to move at a faster pace than ever, leaving us no time for ourselves—no time to relax or just have fun. Everywhere you look, people are ‘running around like chickens without a head”, going from one errand to another, driving to work and sitting in traffic, dealing with the kids, the in-laws and the ‘outlaws”, giving up on taking vacations, talking and texting on cell phones and computers 24/7, Tweeting and FaceBooking into the wee hours of the night—the list goes on and on. We seem to be “dragging’ all the time waiting for the weekend and when the weekend comes, we collapse on the couch– too tired to do anything. “Stressed to the max” and “I’m on my last nerve” are now common expressions in society. But, this comes at a price. Constant and chronic stress takes a toll on our health.

Continue reading “The art of slowing down: a rested body is a healthy body!”

Exercise for osteoporosis is a confusing subject. There are exercises for prevention. There are exercises for rehab. And, when osteoporosis is present, there is always the issue of exercise safety.
Pilates, specifically, is a form of exercise that is often mentioned with regard to osteoporosis. But in Pilates there are definite parameters as far as what exercises are appropriate for osteoporosis at the same time, Pilates exercises can be very beneficial for osteoporosis, improving bone density and muscle strength.

We must have strong bones that can bear our weight and allow us mobility. But with so many dynamics playing into the exercise for osteoporosis scenario, we really need to know what we are doing when we exercise for osteoporosis. In the interview below, Rebekah Rotstein, founder of Incorporating Movement, a Pilates and Movement education organization, and the designer of the Pilates for Buff Bones® workout, helps us clarify the role of exercise, Pilates, and Pilates equipment with regard to osteoporosis and bone strengthening. This is a great introduction for you when visiting The Hundred Pilates Studio and stepping onto the likes of the Pilates Reformer, Cadillac and the wonderful Wunda (chair)!

Pilates Cadillac, Reformer and Chair at The Hundred Pilates Studio in Dubai | www.thehundred.ae

Continue reading “pilates and osteoporosis – a fantastic complement at the hundred pilates studio in dubai”

Nathalie Hodgson of Yoga Life Middle East Magazine caught up with Asma Hilal Lootah, the proud and extremely dedicated owner of The Hundred Pilates Studio, Dubai’s first Pilates studio run by a female UAE national, as she reveals the story behind the birth of her Pilates sanctuary with a stellar team of teaching experts. Grab the July/August 2013 Yoga Life Magazine issue to dive into the full article on pg 54. We are also excited to have teamed up with Yoga Life to offer a FREE Pilates assessment to the value of 250Dhs coupon! Flip to page 120, tear out the coupon and bring it along to our studio after booking your free assessment over the phone. Offer expires on31st August.

Yoga Life uncover and reveal all about The Hundred Pilates Studio in their July/August issue - now out! Visit their facebook page : https://www.facebook.com/pages/YogaLife-Middle-East/107025599457985 — Yoga Life Middle East Magazine uncover and reveal all about The Hundred Pilates Studio in their July/August 2013 Issue. Visit Yoga Life facebook page by clicking on the front cover (above)

Continue reading “giving 100 percent at the hundred pilates studio – yoga life magazine reveals all!”

With Ramadan coming up very soon and the summer heat escalating in the UAE, we decided to create a cold natural energy-boosting sweet dish for you. Welcome to the world of dairy-free Banana & Dates Icecream with Dark Chocolate. As our energy levels naturally dip low during fasting, the smartest thing is to slowly bring them back up when breaking our fast without raiding heavy carb-loaded dishes or the chocolate jar. Both Bananas and Dates are an excellent form of natural energy, packed with iron, zinc, potassium and fiber while stabilizing blood sugar levels, a natural anti-acid and soothing to the digestive tract. Wonderful. Here is your raw, vegan, dairy-free healthy Ramadan treat!

Bananas, Dates, Dark Chocolate, Almond Nut Butter - Ramadan De'lite!

Bananas, Dates, Dark Chocolate, Almond Nut Butter – Ramadan De’lite!

Continue reading “chunky banana and dates icecream – a natural energy boosting ramadan dairy-free de’lite dish”

CoreConditioning
By now we’ve all heard the latest buzzword in fitness – the Core. We know core conditioning is important, and some of us may even have rushed out and bought the revolutionary Swiss ball, or joined a Pilates workout in an attempt to strengthen our core.

Although fitness experts agree that strengthening the core is an effective way of improving posture and reducing back problems, boosting your fitness performance and preventing injury, you also run the risk of muscle imbalance and injury if you do not do the core exercises correctly.

Continue reading “it’s all about “core conditioning” for a healthier and better posture! here is why and how.”