Newsletters

Happy New Year!

January has always been a difficult month for many… Short, dark days, post-holiday musings, unpredictable weather, weight gain, being inside most of the time, and less face-to-face time with friends. I have never been good at making, let alone, keeping, New Year resolutions but I have been good at looking for what helps me FEEL better. Movement and friends are my “medicine“ for most things. I think this is the reason I opened Reality Pilates.

Laughter, camaraderie, shared goals, and that stretched-out invigorated lift that comes after class are big perks in my day. I watch people of all ranges of ability do the movements with different levels of intensity. I see members grow with body awareness and a sense of community. Our plus size and over 40 members are alive and well as they improve their quality of life.

If you are thinking of returning to the studio after an absence, NOW is a great time…and bringing a friend would be wonderful! Along this line, if anyone is interested in becoming a Pilates or yoga teacher, please contact me. We are also currently setting up a treatment room for Ada to offer some great Reiki sessions and will keep you posted.

Susan, Tricia, and Michelle continue to offer classes, and you just need to text/call to let them know you’re planning to attend class…if they have no one signed up to come, they do not come to class. It’s also a way for them to let you know if they need to cancel class. Susan: 610-733-8233 to join a class or to schedule a massage Tricia: 610-864-8506 to join her classes or schedule a private or aerial class Michelle: 215-872-8239 to join her Tuesday 4 pm class

Evie occasionally joins Tricia as a guest teacher. Michelle has found that 4 PM on Tuesday is a better time. Susan is still giving the best massage “hands down“ LOL.

I want to really thank Janet and my niece Dez for helping with the new website and my ineptitude with technology. Janet gives lessons at the Phoenixville Senior Center and the Pottstown Active Adult Center about technology and is a fabulous teacher.

I often post exercises, movement information, injury, support, and links you might find interesting on Facebook under our page, Reality Pilates, and on my personal page Dianna Ellis. I can also use Messenger to send you specific suggestions. Look at me using technology!

STUDIO CLOSINGS If we have to close the studio for any reason, we do a posting on our Facebook page, Reality Pilates, and on my personal Facebook page, Dianna Ellis. You can also text or call 610-787-2237 and I will let you know about the situation.

So much affection and gratitude, Dianna

If you do not feel well, please stay home. All of us would appreciate this.


Happy Independence Day!

Is it really summer? Time seems to be going fast lately, and the weather has me even more confused. I turned 75 recently and you all have made this “season” of my life so very remarkable. Our little community cares with such genuine grace. We care for each other in the smallest and biggest gestures. I find it fascinating that the movement we do is such medicine for the soul as well as the body.

Last week the class discussed how our minds wander and we shared stories that made us laugh. We also discussed how our 45 minutes together made us work on improving our neuroplasticity and connection to our worlds. We do not accept the notion that we cannot improve physically, mentally, or emotionally. Donna, Helen, Judy, Barbara, Gina, Mary, Gary, and Walt are only a few of the community who are examples of constant improvement.

I hope that all of you recognize how special you have made **REALITY PILATES REFORMER**. Thank you for bringing friends and neighbors…they really help us stay relevant and pay the rent…lol.

UPCOMING

We are closed today for July 4th. Check directly with Susan, Trish, Michele, or Heather for their specific schedules.

**HEATHER** is scheduling **GENTLE RESTORATIVE YOGA** classes for July. Restorative yoga is a restful practice that is all about slowing down and opening up your body through gentle stretching to achieve physical, mental, and emotional relaxation. You will be **FULLY SUPPORTED** with props (without pain or strain) such as blocks, bolsters, and blankets. We will be in our poses for several minutes so that we can fully relax and recover from work, fun, gardening, or just life in general. The cost for this one-hour class is $15 for non-members and a donation is greatly appreciated from members who wish to join. Booking is essential as space is limited. Please contact Heather directly at 484-796-1608 to book or with any questions. July Restorative YOGA class schedule:

Wednesday, July 5 at 10:30 am

Tuesday, July 11 at 5:30 pm

Wednesday, July 19 at 10:30 am

Tuesday, July 25 at 5:30 pm



I hear SUSAN is planning a **DRUM CIRCLE** on Sunday, July 16 and she has plenty of instruments for all interested drummers. Maybe she could start a band. MASSAGE of course is lovingly done by appointment. Text/call Susan at 610-733-8233 to schedule a massage, or to ask any questions. You can also email her at [email protected] if you prefer.

I heard TRICIA and her assistants Evelyn and Enzo will be available for private classes by appointment as well as those on the schedule. Reach out to Tricia directly for in

fo or to join her class. 610-864-8506.

MICHELE has added a couple of new members to her Tuesday afternoon class and they spend way too much time having fun. She keeps teasing about adding a Thursday afternoon class. Contact her for info or to join her class at 215-872-2839.

So much affection and gratitude, Dianna


Let me tell you a little bit about our new teacher Heather…

In 2020, Heather returned from England to live in PA with her great husband and her 2 dogs and 2 cats. A longtime stay-at-home mom and recently an empty nester with her 3 children in college both here and in the UK. Heather has always been into fitness because of her own personal health issues; she needed to learn various ways to strengthen to stabilize her joints and regulate her blood pressure and heart rate. In 2015, she started taking yoga classes and decided to take yoga teacher training for her benefit at first…to make sure her alignment was good, and to be her own teacher. Excited by this knowledge and the thirst for more…she is currently studying to become a certified personal trainer. Her own experiences learning ways to use physical fitness to feel good, strong, and confident in her body have inspired her to share those tools with other people. Because her health challenges were so unique and persistent, she has a first-hand understanding of the importance of tailoring classes to her student’s individual needs and abilities. In 2020, Heather returned to Pennsylvania from England to live with her great husband, two dogs, and two cats. She has been a stay-at-home mom for a long time and recently became an empty nester with her three children in college, both in the US and the UK. Heather has always been into fitness due to her own personal health issues. She needed to learn different ways to strengthen her body to stabilize her joints and regulate her blood pressure and heart rate. In 2015, she started taking yoga classes and decided to take yoga teacher training for her own benefit initially. She wanted to ensure that her own alignment was good and become her own teacher. Excited by this knowledge and thirst for more, she is currently studying to become a certified personal trainer. Her own experiences of learning ways to use physical fitness to feel good, strong, and confident in her body have inspired her to share those tools with other people.

As her health challenges were unique and persistent, she has firsthand experience and understanding of the importance of tailoring classes to her student’s individual needs and abilities.

If you do not feel well, please stay home. All of us would appreciate this.