and allow you to turn, so exercises on the Foot Corrector can help reinforce that strength. Of course, the strength and balance I have from Pilates is important, but I’ve found that I also really use my breath control on the mountain. It keeps me from huffing and puffing, which gives me more endurance. Being flexible also allows me to stay loose if I fall, and my core strength allows me to get back up again for that next run. For me, spending time in the backcountry is a peaceful, spiritual experience. Splitboarding gives me motivation to work hard in the studio, because I know Pilates will give me the strength I need to stay out on the slopes all day.
arm work to connect the arms with the core, which will help you feel less fatigued while using those poles.
Th E P i L aTE S B E N E f iT:
OPPOSITE PAGE: Sloan allen loveS the backcountry acceSS Splitboarding allowS
Because of my Pilates background, snowshoeing came easily to me. Having a strong core allows me to engage my entire body, so my arms and legs don’t get tired as quickly. I’ve found that snowshoeing has given me more endurance in the studio, too. What’s more, the leg strength makes exercises like Footwork easier. Th E P i L aTE S B E N E f iT:
her. THIS PAGE, TOP TO bOTTOm: PILATeS HeLPed HOLLY THOMPSOn SKATe FASTeR WHen CHASIng THe PuCK WHILe PLAYIng On HeR CO-ed HOCKeY TeAM; JeAnIe WRIgHT MAInTAIned HeR BALAnCe On A SIx-HOuR SnOWSHOe HIKe.
snowshoeing NaM E :
Jeanie Wright, 39
B i O : private Pilates instructor in Santa Rosa, CA, and leader of a Pilates-and-snowshoe retreat in Truckee, CA W hy S h E LOvE S iT: Seven years ago, I was in a car accident. Because of my injuries, I couldn’t snowboard anymore. But I missed the snow, so I decided to try snowshoeing. It’s when you put on these big tennis racquet–like shoes that allow you to step on the surface of the snow. It’s a little like walking on water! It’s also a fattorching cardio workout, burning 500 or more calories per hour. I usually use poles for stability when going up hills during an all-day hike.
ice hockey NaM E :
Holly Thompson, 37
B i O : Pilates instructor at EPY Center in Sacramento, CA W hy S h E LOvE S iT: My childhood was spent on the ice, but as a figure skater. In college, there weren’t many rinks around, so I joined an in-line-skating hockey team. After graduation, a rink opened near me, and I started playing ice hockey competitively. I love the fastpaced play and the hand-eye coordination of handling the stick. And there’s nothing like the camaraderie of being on a team!
In hockey, you crouch forward over your stick, which tightens your front body. Skating strengthens your quadriceps like crazy, but your glutes and hamstrings tend to be weaker. There’s also a lot of imbalance in hockey, which can lead to injuries—I’ve seen a lot of hurt backs, knees and hips. C haLLE N g E S O f Th E S PO rT:
Snowshoeing challenges your entire body: To hike with the poles, you’re engaging your shoulders, rotator cuffs and obliques. Of course, you’re also working your legs as you trek up and down hills, and break new paths in the snow. If you aren’t able to ignite your deep core muscles, you can strain a muscle or put stress on your hip flexors.
C haLLE N g E S O f Th E S PO rT:
B E ST P i L aTE S M OvE S f O r S N O W S h O E r S :
The Knee Stretch, or Jack Rabbit, on the Reformer works many of the muscles you use on the mountain: It strengthens your quads, hamstrings, abs and shoulders. Coordination on the Reformer also strengthens your hip flexors and adductors. I like to follow it with
B E ST P i L aTE S M OvE S f O r h O CkEy P L ayE r S :
Any spine-extension exercise, such as the Swan, can help open that front body. The Lunge on the Reformer also stretches out your hip flexors while strengthening your core. For the hamstrings, I recommend the Legs in Straps series on the Reformer. Th E P i L aTE S B E N E f iT: To chase the puck, you have to sprint across the ice. The flexibility I pilatesstyle.com 77