Maggie Downie, Author at Personal Euphoria: Pilates & Fitness Classes in CT

About Maggie Downie

Thank you for giving your time to stop and read my blog. I hope it encourages you to keep moving. Move and the body will be happier. And when you're moving you can hike, run, swim in Jell-O, race over non-Newtonian fluids, travel the world or build igloos--if that's your thing. If not, you can watch me do it. This is just a spot to try and feel good about life.

AAUW Never Fails to Impress

Ann and I went to France in November to celebrate her 75th birthday.

I have a good family friend, she’s more of an Aunt, who always invites me to attend the programs her branch of the AAUW (American Association of University Women) put on. The food is always great thanks to the Norwich Inn and Spa. They accommodate my gluten-free needs. And the presenter, lecturer or performer they have at these gatherings is always superb.

The event is always outstanding. So it’s odd that last week, I presumed the program was going to be lame. I don’t know why, because it was a one woman musical theater performance about female historical figures. I love theater. I was a history major. This should have been right up my alley, but I went to this one for the sole purpose of spending time with my Grandma and my Aunt Ann. I just thought the performance sounded like it was for kids.

I shouldn’t have questioned it because I’m in part raising honey bees because of a Connecticut based author and beekeeper they […]

AAUW Never Fails to ImpressMaggie Downie2017-10-25T14:30:13-04:00

No Processed Foods for the Month of May: Who’s With Me?

This is my great-grandma. She ate dessert and chicken fat, but she cooked it herself. So you could make a pie in May as long as you make it from scratch!

As many of you know I occasionally do food challenges for my own anecdotal experimentation. I’ve tried being vegan, eating raw, no sugar. None of them have stuck, and I normally do this challenge in February because it’s the shortest month of the year.

This May I’ll be trying to do no processed foods. Want to join in the fun? It’s one month, how bad can it be? Here are the ground rules:

1) Because it’s a long month you get to pick any two days and take them off

2) Wine and cheese are a-okay (I tried Vegan and don’t need to do it again.)

3) Otherwise follow this simple rule: if it has more than one ingredient, it’s out
4) Basically nothing that comes in a box
5) You can make anything […]

No Processed Foods for the Month of May: Who’s With Me?Maggie Downie2017-09-12T19:31:12-04:00

What Can You Relax Right Now?

Our bodies need to relax as much as they need to workout. (Note: I’m writing this blog for me as much as for you because I’m not good at relaxing) But there are a numbers of ways or parts of the body that we can relax throughout the day without adding relaxation time to our already busy lives.

For example be a little more self aware. I often notice that when I brush my teeth my shoulder is shrugged up to my ear and I can relax it. The other day, I was driving when I noticed I was arching my low back in a very alert position. My low back was tight. I relaxed. I think when we start to pay attention there are a lot of moments during the day like this. It’s not necessarily hard to relax, but we do have to think about releasing the tension that creeps in.

Today, when you get into bed check in with your body. Are you really at ease? Have you sunk as deeply into the mattress and pillow as you can? Is your jaw tight? Are your eyebrows furrowed? Is there a part of your body you can relax?

When you exercise, […]

What Can You Relax Right Now?Maggie Downie2017-09-12T19:31:12-04:00

Secrets from a Pilates Instructor: I Just Make It Look Easy

Exercise isn’t easy. I am capable of doing advanced Pilates exercises (some, anyway, there are still some I haven’t conquered). Yet when I go to a beginner Pilates class, I find the exercises challenging. That speaks to how difficult Pilates can be. I often hear from clients that I make an exercise look easy. Trust me when I tell you it’s not easy. Here’s how I can pull off making something look easy:

You were never trained to see how I’m screwing up. That means I can make all sorts of errors and you’ll never know. Because trust me, when I take a class, I still need the reminder to engage my abs or legs. I need correction as much as you.
If I’m going to demonstrate something in front of the class, I know which side I’m stronger on to give you the best view. I’m not trying to hoodwink you, but it’s my job to try and show you proper form, so I try to give the best form I’ve got.
If I stay down on the mat for a few reps, I’m not giving it all I’ve got the way you are. When I’m teaching it’s not my workout. I’m […]

Secrets from a Pilates Instructor: I Just Make It Look EasyMaggie Downie2017-09-12T19:31:12-04:00

Movement is Maintenance

Body vs. Machine

Your body is not your car. You can bring it in for regular checkups, but you can’t replace the parts anytime you want. And if you need to and the part is available, it might be VERY, VERY expensive.

So do some regular maintenance (code for movement) and help your body feel better and last longer.

Movement is MaintenanceMaggie Downie2017-10-25T15:49:42-04:00

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