Feature Friday: Pilates in the Park

The sun is shining, summer is in full swing, and you’re looking your best. Instead of hitting the gym indoors, why not find different ways to kick those calories while enjoying the weather and the city you live in?

This month’s feature is certified Stott Pilates instructor, Gurleen Grewal. I was told from a coworker that Gurleen was offering a 45-minute pilates class in Yaletown at George Wainborn Park. So off we went. I’m not going to lie (and I’m sure most of you can agree) it was difficult to get my butt to the park to work out, but once I did I was so refreshed.

For those of you who don’t know what pilates entails it is a controlled set of movements that look and feel like a work out. pilates can improve flexibility, build strength, and develop control and endurance.

Gurleen was an excellent teacher; she helped with correct positioning and suggested easier movements if something were too difficult for me. Gurleen’s whole idea behind ‘Pilates in the Park’ is to provide an affordable exercise class that helps prevent injuries. Gurleen also specializes in Physiotherapy and hopes to combine that with pilates rehabilitation in the future.

So why ‘Pilates in the Park’?

• Maintain a healthy spine: pilates uses a set of exercises that helps to maintain a healthy spine and strong core. This is done through strengthening muscles that move the spine in all four directions (right, left, forwards and backwards).
• Injury prevention: pilates also targets smaller stabilizer muscles in your shoulders, hips, and spine to aid in injury prevention.
• Exercising outside can help to improve mood and reduce stress levels!
• The $5 fee is put towards feeding individuals of low-income families or those who are homeless 🙂
• “The way your body feels after a class. Balanced and strong!” – Gurleen Grewal

This is a brand new event and is being held on Tuesday evenings @ 7pm. The time and date are subject to change but feel free to send an email or comment below if you would be interested in joining! Excited to see some new faces, and don’t forget your mat!

– K