Archive: May 2008

Perfect Pilates

Andrea Branoff knows her Pilates

ilAndrea Branoff’s recent Pilates certification, which involved more than 650 hours of training, exams and apprentice hours, puts her in a league by herself. Which is good for the Pilates instructor, who believes that Pilates isn’t just an exercise, it’s almost a way of life.

Branoff is this month’s cover model.

“I am proud to be the only Power Pilates instructor with this high level certification registered in the state of Michigan,” she said.

Pilates focuses on the core postural muscles that help keep the body balanced and are essential to providing support. In particular, Pilates exercises teach awareness of breath and alignment of the spine, and aim to strengthen the deep torso muscles. Pilates was introduced by Joseph Pilates with the idea to improve the rehabilitation program for the many returning war veterans.

Branoff, 28, was a gifted dancer early in life. At 8 she had two lumbars fused together in her spine, but continued to dance.

When she reached New York University as a dance major in the Tisch School of the Arts program, she ended up with a bulging disc under the fused vertebrae.

She began Pilates as a way to stay pain free and to supplement her dancing. She is currently teaching Pilates at Creative Wellness and the Michigan Athletic Club.

“I personally choose to use the Pilates apparatus for my strength training versus lifting weights,” she said. “This type of resistance creates longer muscles and feels good. ”

Branoff, who lives in East Lansing, said that in her classes, she has seen more athletes than ever because the precise Pilates movements really add balance to a workout. She also said that an increasing number of her students are coming to class to learn more about the popular exercise and end up becoming hooked.

“Pilates is also a great exercise for someone who does a lot of cardio workout but needs more balance and stretch,” she added. “In addition, it is great for athletes such as golfers, football players, tennis players and more! A lot of Pilates is becoming “sport” specific, but as long as you are doing true Pilates, it will benefit you in your sport and in your life.”