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Marlene Amado

@rhomecontrologystudio

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Pilates aka CONTROLOGY
Classes | Workshops | Pilates Teacher Training | Memberships | Privates | Video Library | Online @contrology.bb @gratz_pilates

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The arc barrel is one of my ✨favourite✨ apparatus to help spice up my Matwork practice. It hits a little different compared to the spine corrector and especially useful for those of us under six feet tall😝!

When you want to feel those deeper connections or to shift out of a stuck thoracic spine or tight hips, these arcs really shine! 😲🙌🏼

A few of my favourite supine go-to-exercises on the arc barrel:
1. Frogs
2. Lower and Lift
3. Circles
4. Scissors
5. Bicycle
6. Shoulder Bridge
7. Roll Over
8. Hip Opener
9. Breathing
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#contrology #gratzequipment #gratzpilatesstudio #classicalpilates #arcbarrels #hipopeners #theartofcontrol #pilatesteachertraining #correctiveexercise #kyphosis #pilatesbody #psoas #vancouverpilates #weirdandwonderful taken in RHÓMĒ Contrology Studio by @rhomecontrologystudio

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7

a year ago

#pilatesmatwork and #reformer are great diagnostic tools but the magic really happens here. ✨

Can you see where I lose connection? Where can I reach to open or deepen my flexion?

What do you see here that you’d like to try? Where do you get to explore opening up, reaching and connecting in your body?

If you’d like to develop that keen eye or deepen your practice, comment or DM for more info! ✨The Contrology Matwork Teacher Training waitlist is now open.✨

The exercises demonstrated:

🖤Push Through

🖤Kneeling Push Through

🖤Swan Dive
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#cadillac #contrology #pilateslovers #gratzpilates #gratzequipped taken in RHÓMĒ Contrology Studio by @rhomecontrologystudio

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5

a year ago

If your body is moving forward and your arms are standing still, you’ve lost the plot! 🫣🤭

The point of doing rowing series is to strengthen the arms and back. 💪🏼🔥

Joe Pilates is known for creating this series for men (unbeknownst to him, women had arms and backs too). 🤭😚

What exercises feed into this important connection to the back? What has been your experience with the #rowingseries? What has helped you with the rowing series?

Reformer Exercises to strengthen arms and back:
-The Hundred
-Overhead
-Long Box Series 1
-Long Stretch Series (ALL)
-Short Spine
-Chest Expansion
-Long Spine
-Pelvic Lift

Matwork exercises to strength arms and back:
-The Hundred
-Roll Over
-One Leg Circle (palms down)
-Shoulder Bridge (palms down)
-Jack Knife (palms down)
-Leg Pull (Front and Back)
-Side Kick Kneeling
-Side Bend
-Boomerang
-Push Ups
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#contrology #pilateslovers #bbcontrologyreformer taken in RHÓMĒ Contrology Studio by @rhomecontrologystudio

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3

a year ago

If you are new to Pilates, know that your frustrations and questions are valid. If you are a teacher or business owner, it is critical that you know the friction points and pitfalls for newcomers.

As a Pilates student, be flexible and curious about finding ways to learn. Whether it’s online, or in person, there are ways to bring down the cost of high value sessions that won’t break the bank. It may require some up front investment (if you’re into accelerating the learning process) but this could save you some frustration if you find the right fit. Small group classes and online options can provide high quality service. Be willing to do homework. We run/walk/hike and hit the gym without trainers. Sometimes it’s ok to do Pilates without a teacher ! 😱🤫😲

Do your homework before buying anything. Ask the following:

⚠️How long has this Teacher been teaching?

⚠️What is their method? Classical Pilates is the new buzzword and very trendy but you need to be discerning. There are different Pilates methods:

⚠️Contemporary and Classical, clinical (which is rehabilitation) and Lagree (neither contemporary or classical but a very challenging fitness modality).

⚠️Each use very specific tools and approaches, although they look similar, they are not: Classical reformers usually have leather straps, wooden handles (not fabric straps) and the springs DO NOT HAVE COLOURS.

⚠️Does the studio value quality over quantity or do they cram 8, 9, 20 bodies in one class? If you choose larger group formats (higher energy, bigger community/visibility), are you paying the same rates as you would in smaller boutique studios that would provide you with customized training or better attention?

⚠️What are your goals and is your timeline realistic? Are you in this for the experience or practice? Loyalty, strength gains or community? You can be in it for all of the above! Clarify your intention and you’ll streamline the process of vetting studios and seeing better results. In some cases you may even save money in the long run.

Above all, be curious and ask questions!
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#pilatescommunity #pilatesteachertraining #wellnesseconomy #vancouverfitness taken in RHÓMĒ Contrology Studio by @rhomecontrologystudio

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7 days ago

Squirrel. Only for those of you who want to improve your performance in the bedroom or on the Cadillac. 😉

If you’re not following me already, please do and support small businesses that are being drowned out by AI slop. Every short and long form video, blog and in person experience is meticulously crafted with human intelligence care and intention. If you’re already following, thank you ☺️ and please share!

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#contrology #pilateslovers #gratzcadillac #vancouverfitness #pilatesteachertraining taken in RHÓMĒ Contrology Studio by @rhomecontrologystudio

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5

13 days ago

My Google search performance report:

72 percent = “Pilates”
Less than 3% = Contrology

How am I still in this??

I’m not going to lie. Contrology has yet to grow wings. In the context of business, it has not been easy. Contrology, like weight training or jiu jitsu, is not frictionless, requiring personal time and financial investment to see results. While this type of model is high on trust and service based (rewarding, for sure), due to involving fees-for-service (which has led to burn out a few times), scaling is capped. It also falls under discretionary spending in an uncertain economy (pretty much since COVID 19) which means ima not going to be a billionaire anytime soon. 😅And I don’t care how you dress it up, we are currently in a recession.

For those of you who don’t know me, I enjoy seeing things from different perspectives and I love creative challenges. Transcending the challenge of selling an obscure physical practice in an attention deficit economy that values low commitment has been an intense journey. 😮‍💨 Pilates might just have all the makings of a hobby that bored stay-at-home mums and retirees crave (including the exciting S&M undercurrents) but Contrology (Joe Pilates’ original method) remains a conceptually challenging, deeply physical, NON FAD. Even though I was trained in multiple Pilates disciplines, I have always leaned toward the subversive which makes Contrology, naturally, the perfect fit.

What I love about this business is imagining, designing and building a system for anyone wanting to delve deeper into the practice of Pilates. Bonus, for those of you wanting to capitalize on or unleash your bubble butts. 🤭It remains deeply satisfying to teach an empowering discipline that fundamentally changes limiting beliefs. Whether it’s a personal/physical/mental journey you are on, I feel honoured and well equipped to guide you to the depths of one of the nerdiest mind-body practices around.
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#contrology #pilateslovers #wellnesspolitics #weshouldbefriends #smallbusinessvancouver taken in RHÓMĒ Contrology Studio by @rhomecontrologystudio

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17 days ago

The order of the exercises matters.
You might be asking, ‘Why should I care?’ Answer: because your safety and capacity (strength/measurable improvements) depend on it.

Observe how each exercise gets progressively more challenging. That is intentional. Notice how the spine in stomach massage looks very similar in short spine and then how it unfurls and returns to flexion in high frog. Same mechanism, different vectors of force. That powerful connection to the glutes in HF cannot happen cold (meaning you cannot execute successfully if you are relying on the springs to get your legs up). And it won’t happen if you are unable to connect to your stomach, back and glutes powerfully-thank you @vintagepilates for this!

Movement complexity and progressions should evolve from stable to unstable then from
simple to complex-just like we encounter in the wild (choose any activity)

What do you think about the Pilates order? Do you feel it in your practice or are you still skeptical?
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#contrology #pilateslovers #pilatesteachertraining #theartofcontrol taken in RHÓMĒ Contrology Studio by @rhomecontrologystudio

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20 days ago

I’ve probably done these exercises hundreds of times. Each time it feels different and my internal narrative or stream of consciousness is different. Sometimes I’m coming to terms with feeling fatigue, other times, I’m delighted by my physicality and strength.

This day I felt good (which is why I decided to film my practice-duh) and my intention was to drop into my body and listen, feel. For me, this is a practice of letting go. I let go of judgement and outcomes. I release the attachment (difficult). It is about meeting myself in the moment and calibrating. Are you aware of your internal voice? Does it ‘talk’ to you or do you process through visual images, emotions or abstract concepts?

The optimal mixed mindset for movement includes visual images (think Eric Franklin who has done incredible work in this area), abstract concepts (like fluidity, precision, explosiveness, etc.), emotion (a state of calmness helps keep you grounded and muscles primed) with verbal thoughts kept to a minimum (especially negative feedback).

Paralysis by Analysis is a real thing in this practice. I have been so concerned with analysis that I didn’t move much, the ideas and theories can be so fun 😝🫠 🫠. I am less apprehensive about (the) movement. Sometimes you have to get into the sandbox instead of just analyzing or designing it! Have you experienced this?

This edit was not sped up or slowed down. Pacing was preserved in real time.

Exercises:

Long Stretch
Down Stretch
Up Stretch
Up+Down Combo
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#pilateslovers taken in RHÓMĒ Contrology Studio by @rhomecontrologystudio

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3

a month ago

The muscles of the deep abdominals, transversus and pelvic floor support sexual arousal and contractions during orgasm. They also support the viscera in the pelvis, including the prostate/reproductive and gastrointestinal organs. The fascia that surrounds these tissues are connected to the hips, abdominals, glutes and diaphragm. When these muscles are weak or tight, your sexual health is compromised.

Contrology exercises address structural issues in the body and because these exercises target deep abdominal and pelvic stabilizers and diaphragm, it directly targets your sexual health.

*If you suffer from dyspareunia (hypertonic pelvic floor)you may need to seek care with a pelvic floor physiotherapist.

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Further reading:

Carter, W., & Thomas, E. (2015). A strong pelvic floor is associated with higher rates of sexual activity. International Urogynecology Journal, 26(11), 1625–1632. doi.org

Harvard Health Publishing. (2024, June 21). Pelvic floor exercises: Help for incontinence, sexual health, and more. harvard.edu

Mueller, J. (2025, June 26). Men’s health month: Pelvic floor therapy & sexual health. Pelvic Health & Rehabilitation Center. https://pelvicpainrehab.com/blog/mens-health-month-pelvic-floor-therapy-sexual-health/ taken in RHÓMĒ Contrology Studio by @rhomecontrologystudio

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2 months ago

How does Pilates movement feel to you when using the springs? Does it still feel hard to pin down, abstract? Does it feel like stretching as in, one direction? It could be the equipment you are using. There are different kinds of equipment and this is a critical factor when deciding on where you teach or what equipment to invest in!

There is an intentional, strengthening component in every exercise and in every Pilates movement. If you’re a teacher, what tools do you rely on to teach connection to someone who has trouble feeling their body? Do you default to the Reformer or other apparatus or can you teach it on the Mat?

My waitlist is open for Pilates Repertoire Review (8 NPCP credits) and Walkover Workshop (3 NPCP credits). We cover all things arches from beginner to advanced with hands on cueing as well as special populations.
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#contrologypilates #pilatesteachingtips #pilatesteachertraining #contrologybb taken in RHÓMĒ Contrology Studio by @rhomecontrologystudio

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2 months ago

We are bombarded with hyper filtered and enhanced images that inform and shape today’s beauty standards and simultaneously drive our spending habits. The health and wellness sphere, tech, pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries prey on our vulnerabilities. And we concede.

When you participate in a gym session, workout or have something to eat, consider what is driving that habit. Is it a need for connection, approval? Does the X habit dampen fear and anxiety (keeping you in a loop) or does it energize you? Does it connect you and help you sustain a positive relationship with yourself ? With others?
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#strongnotskinny #mentalhealth #glp1weightloss #looksmaxxing taken in RHÓMĒ Contrology Studio by @rhomecontrologystudio

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2 months ago

There is a problem when we internalize idealized images of health and wellness and make it our personal responsibility. The wellness economy thrives on growth aimed at the individual consumer. The wellness industry sells health as a product you can own and experience, extrinsic from social or economic variables. Health and wellness is now a form of currency.

How does economics factor into the idea of total wellness when financial stability underpins the core pillars of wellness?

How does economics shape your health and wellness currently? How will it shape your health in the future?

Sources:

Chrysopoulou, A. 2020 December 16. The Vision of a Well-Being Economy https://ssir.org/articles/entry/the_vision_of_a_well_being_economy

Columbia University. 2024 June 18. The Link Between Health and Financial Well-being https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/news/link-between-health-and-financial-well-being

Global Wellness Institute [@global_wellness_institute]. (n.d). What is the Wellbeing Economy? https://globalwellnessinstitute.org/what-is-wellness/what-is-the-wellness-economy/ taken in RHÓMĒ Contrology Studio by @rhomecontrologystudio

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3 months ago