Aug212012 by PowerMoves Pilates in the ParkNo Comments

Pilates Singapore Interview with Claudel Kuek of PowerMoves

Best of Singapore Award, Best Pilates Fitness, Expat Living Award, Pilates Award, Pilates Matwork, Pilates Physiotherapy, Pilates Reformer, Pilates Singapore, SHAPE Award, Singapore TATLER Award

Claudel Kuek, Founder and CEO of PowerMoves Pilates in the Park, discusses what PowerMoves Pilates Singapore can do for you!

Learn also what Pilates is, what the PowerMoves edge is, what Pilates can do for you and what the Power Pilates Promise assurance is.

First in Pilates Singapore, PowerMoves is an award-winning Pilates chain of studios, with awards in Most Beautiful Pilates Studio, Most Outstanding Service Quality, and Best of Singapore Pilates; awarded by SHAPE, Tatler and Expat Living magazines.

PowerMoves’ exclusive studios specialize in Pilates Matwork, Pilates Reformer, PreNatal Pilates, Pilates Physiotherapy and Clinical Pilates; Group and private classes. Our parkland studios are located at Bishan Park, Rochester Park and Dempsey Hill, with an upcoming branch at East Coast Park. PowerMoves provides the best in Pilates classes to achieve all your health and fitness goals, including weight loss and specific sports-related needs.

All PowerMoves Pilates instructors are physiotherapists who will work with you to correct all physical and physiological issues, with an emphasis on strength and flexibility training.

Your first choice in Pilates always.. PowerMoves!

May162011 by PowerMoves Pilates in the ParkNo Comments

Singapore’s biggest fitness trends in 2011:

Pilates for Women, Pilates Health, Pilates in the Park, Pilates Mat Singapore, Pilates Matwork, Pilates Matwork Singapore, Pilates Physiotherapy, Pilates Reformer, Pilates Rehabilitation

• Keeping Fit while Having Fun in our integrated waterways and parklands: Through Singapore’s ABC (active, beautiful and clean) waters programme, more people are finding new vibrancy and quality of life in our revamped parks. With meandering rivers and tranquil lushness spanning the length of our urbanised city-state from Pandan to Punggol and Bedok to Bishan, families are embracing the outdoors in the park for fun and fitness as a way of life.

• Low Impact but High Yield Exercises through Pilates: People today are growing more affluent but the population is ageing and the stresses of balancing work and family can be intense. Both physical health and mental wellness have become a priority. Besides lengthening and strengthening your muscles, Pilates is low-impact on the body and benefits your emotional health. The smooth, steady movements calm your mind and soothe your nervous system. Pilates improves your circulation and builds endurance in a therapeutical way. Each workout will leave you feeling calm, centred and balanced, and you walk out of each class looking leaner, taller and more toned; and feeling recharged and youthful.

• Multiple Benefits in One Regime: Men and women today have less time but want all the benefits available from a cardiovascular workout (to build endurance and burn fat), interval training (to intensify workouts and calorie-burn), and weight training (to maintain bone density and increase muscle mass ~ the more muscle you build, the more efficient your metabolism will be). Pilates offers them their choice of all these benefits in one fitness regime.

Here in Singapore, we would like to see you:

• Make healthy food choices ~ fruits and vegetables have antioxidants that protect against major illnesses, calcium is good for our bones, protein like fish aids cell renewal and keeps your heart healthy, fibre-rich foods leave you feeling more satisfied for longer;

• Stay active ~ the body was created to be a moving one ~ do something you enjoy, do it with a friend or a trainer, do it often and do it right!

Here at PowerMoves Pilates in the Park, our new programmes for you:

• Unlimited Matwork ~ four weeks is all it takes to strengthen and tighten the muscles holding your body together ~ look and feel positively different with your daily dose of Pilates in just one month ~ now $498, usually $698;

• Jumpstart Fitness ~ achieving your 2011 resolution of a fit & fab body thru Pilates ~ every workout forces the use of core muscles and combines the benefits of strength training, calorie burn and the flexibility benefits of Yoga ~ 10 sessions for $600 now, usually $760!

Power Moves!
Your partner in fitness through Pilates 🙂

May52010 by PowerMoves Pilates in the ParkNo Comments

PowerMoves Rewards the Strongest, Most Flexible Characters in the World – Mums – with Bodies to Match!

Mother's Day Gift, Pilates Fitness, Pilates for Mothers, Pilates for Mums, Pilates for Women, Pilates Mat Singapore, Pilates Matwork, Pilates Matwork Singapore, Pilates Physiotherapy

Home-grown powerhouse Pilates brand, PowerMoves, is honouring mothers from 3-15 May with a FREE Pilates-in-the-Park Matwork session. Founder and Managing Director of PowerMoves, Ms Claudel Kuek, herself a mother of two, believes it’s only fitting that women of strong character and flexible attitudes should be equipped with strong, flexible bodies to match.

Pilates itself has emerged as the technique of choice among discerning and sophisticated fitness enthusiasts. Its low-impact, highly effective form of exercise has garnered a growing following, with legions of fans worldwide including Hollywood celebrities, expecting mothers and even agile grandmothers.

A matwork session is an hour-long workout on a padded mat, using nothing more than one’s own body weight and strength, and the laws of gravity. The disarmingly simple mat empowers individuals with variety and grace, and offers a wealth of fitness and wellness benefits including increased strength and enhanced flexibility.
Regular practitioners of Pilates Matwork can expect to enjoy improved coordination, posture and balance, relief from aches and pains, increased bone mass and muscle mass, improved circulation and breathing, and of course the ultimate trophy of a toned and sculpted body. It’s also the perfect low-impact form of pre-natal and post-menopausal exercise, and has been successfully incorporated into rehabilitation programmes after serious injury.

Mothers who wish to hone their bodies to match their characters should call PowerMoves at 6455 2221 and ask for the Mother’s Day Matwork Offer. You’ll be one of no more than eight ladies in the session, and you can take your pick of two beautiful locations at PowerMoves’ parklands studios in Bishan Park 2 and Dempsey Hill

Here’s to Mums – strong and flexible in nature, and, if PowerMoves has its way, soon to be buff, fit and fabulous! Happy Mother’s Day in honour of all Mothers out there! 🙂

Feb42010 by PowerMoves Pilates in the ParkNo Comments

Boost Your Body Confidence in the Bedroom with PowerMoves Pilates Exercises in the Park

Pilates, Pilates Blog, Pilates classes, Pilates Fitness, Pilates Matwork, Pilates Physiotherapy, Pilates Reformer, Pilates Rehabilitation, Pilates Singapore, Pilates Studio Singapore


With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, there’s no better time to give your guy the ultimate gift of love – you. And like a well-wrapped gift, presentation is of paramount importance. We’re not talking ribbons and bows, but rippling muscles and pert buns. Where to get the trimmings (pun intended)? PowerMoves Pilates in the Park, at Bishan and Dempsey, has all the moves to give you the body confidence you need to be a star in the boudoir.

For awesome abs, practise the Pilates Plank
Lie face down with legs extended, forearms resting on the floor shoulder-width apart, hands in fists. Pull your navel up into your spine, tuck your toes under and lift your hips off the floor so that your body forms a straight line from head to heels. Actively maintain a firm centre, with navel to spine, and your buttocks and legs squeezed tightly together behind you. Your neck maintains perfect alignment with the rest of the body. Breathe normally as you hold for 30 seconds at a time. Lower to rest in between sets.

For bite-worthy buns, perform the Pilates Single Leg Lift
Kneeling on hands and knees, hands are shoulder-width apart, knees aligned under hips. Keep head relaxed, neck in line with the spine. Extend one leg behind, toes pointed touching the floor lightly, without letting the hip or shoulder dip as you hold your leg out. As you exhale, scoop in your abs, tighten your right buttock and lift extended right leg up to hip height. Lift and lower in a slow, controlled movement. Rotate your toes so that they point outwards and hold in your lifted position for 3 counts before lowering on the inhale. Repeat 12 reps on each side.

For thrilling thighs, execute the Pilates Shoulder Bridge
Lie on your back in neutral spine, with your knees bent and feet on the floor. Your arms are extended along your sides. Inhale as you press down through your feet to lengthen your spine and press your hips up. You will come to a bridge position on your shoulders with your knees, hips and shoulders in one line. Your abs and hamstrings should be well-engaged. Pause at the top of the bridge to lift one leg off the mat. Straighten this lifted leg as you point it to the ceiling. Exhale as you lower the straight leg to the floor pointing towards the wall opposite of you. Inhale to kick the straight leg upward while flexing your foot. Bend the knee and place the foot on the floor (starting position) before switching legs and repeating the sequence with the other leg.

For total satisfaction, take charge of your body and your man
PowerMoves’ Managing Director, Claudel Kuek, believes that strengthening the body naturally leads to a strengthening of the mind. She reasons that once you gain control of your body, you feel empowered to take charge of other areas of your life, including your love life.

Said Claudel, “Every woman deserves to enjoy the body confidence that comes from feeling sexy, lithe and toned. You never have to avoid certain intimate positions for fear of wobbly bits spoiling the mood. And you can be totally spontaneous and wild, emboldened by knowing you look great from every angle.”

The question is, once you’ve toned your bod and honed your body confidence for an erotically-charged workout in the bedroom, is your man up to it? Well, the good news is, PowerMoves offers couples classes at both its Bishan and Dempsey studios.

Pilates couples classes at PowerMoves… Sounds like the perfect Valentine’s Day gift idea! 🙂

PowerMoves Pilates in the Park is located @Dempsey 6ix and 7even, 6 Dempsey Road, Singapore 249683; and @Aramsa ~ the Garden Spa, Bishan Park 2, Singapore 569931.


Aug52009 by PowerMoves Pilates in the ParkNo Comments

Good Hindsight with Pilates in the Park

Best Pilates in Singapore, Butt Exercises, Cellulite, Legs Exercises, Most Beautiful Pilates Studio, Pilates, Pilates Blog, Pilates Fitness, Pilates Matwork, Pilates Reformer, PowerMoves

How do I lose weight on my butt? That is one of the most common questions I get from female readers. Some say they never lose weight in that area despite all the exercise they do. Others have never done any exercise for that region and want to know what to do.

Well, Pilates Director Claudel Kuek is walking proof that exercise does build great gluteal muscles – the official term for “butt” – and she shares some of her best exercises here.

Claudek Kuek, 45, who runs PowerMoves Pilates And Dance Studio in lush Bishan Park, is all for the “reshaping of our backsides”. “The Pilates exercises demonstrated here target the hips and buttocks…and they may be the only way you can get rid of cellulite and dimples for good,” she says.

“You will still need to keep the abdominal muscles sucked in as you work on your derriere. Remember to keep your hips perpendicular to the floor when doing the floor exercises.”

PILATES SIDE LEG KICKS

Lie on your right side, arms behind your head and head propped up by your right elbow. Stabilise your right leg on the floor and hold the left leg at hip-height.

Minimise the rocking of your trunk by engaging your abdominal muscles. As you exhale, swing the left leg as far forward as possible with a flexed foot. As you inhale, swing the left leg as far back as possible while pointing your foot and elongating your leg.

Keep your pelvis straight as you repeat the back-and-forth swing 15 times. Repeat on the other side.


PILATES SIDE LEG DROPS

Lie on your right side, body in a straight line and head propped up with the right hand. Place your left hand in front of you. Keeping your pelvis perpendicular to the mat, lift your left leg to hip-height and flex your foot as you point your toes down towards the front.

Imagine your big toe touching a hot stove on the floor so you do not want to stay in that position for long. As soon as the toe taps the floor, lift it off with the heel of the foot pointing towards the ceiling. Stay stable and square in the hips as you tap and lift your toes 25 times while you breathe normally. Repeat on the other side.


PILATES SINGLE-LEG SKATING

Inhale as you stand on the foot platform of the Reformer (a pilates machine found in most pilates studios) with your right leg and place your left foot on the front edge of the carriage.

Squat deeply on the right leg, keeping your entire weight on it while placing your hands on your hips. As you exhale, straighten the left leg completely by pushing the carriage away. Keep your right leg stable, your trunk upright and your pelvis level.

Inhale as you return to the start position. Do 15 repetitions on each foot.


Fitness Article by Pradeep Paul

PowerMoves Pilates Studio in the Park


Apr42009 by PowerMoves Pilates in the ParkNo Comments

Pilates Singapore ~ Fitness Exercises with the Magic Circle

Flex Ring, Magic Circle, Pilates, Pilates Fitness, Pilates Health, Pilates Matwork, Pilates Physiotherapy, Pilates Rehabilitation, Pilates Singapore


If you find yourself running around in circles, always out of time for a workout, Claudel Kuek has a suggestion: Use the Magic Circle to stay in shape.


The flexible ring, which has two padded handles to ensure you do not end up with unsightly marks on your skin, provides firm resistance and is great for toning the muscles. Roughly the size of a car’s steering wheel and under 1kg in weight, it can be packed easily when you travel.


Claudel Kuek, 45, runs PowerMoves Pilates And Dance Studio in Bishan Park. Despite being a fan of traditional pilates, which involves machines such as the Reformer, she is also an advocate of the use of fitness equipment like the Magic Circle as it is so handy. “The Magic Circle gives your regular routine added resistance training (much like using weights), thus it helps to pump up the intensity of your regular pilates mat workout,” she says.


“Best of all, it strengthens areas that are the hardest to get at such as the pelvic floor muscles and the inner thighs.”


The Magic Circle is available from PowerMoves

(tel: 6455-2221) for US$75 (S$113)




MAGIC CIRCLE ARMS

What it works: Arms, shoulders, chest

How to do it: Sit on the floor, legs crossed in front of you and upper body erect. Flexing the core region and pulling the shoulders down towards your hips, hold the Magic Circle in front of you with the palms of your hands on the handles and fingers extended. Exhale as you squeeze the Magic Circle in a few, short pulses. Inhale as you release. Repeat 10 times.


MAGIC CIRCLE LEGS

What it works: Hips, thighs

How to do it: Lie on your left side, body in a straight line from neck to feet, and lift your upper body off the floor by placing your left forearm on the floor. Stabilising yourself with both palms on the ground, hold the Magic Circle between your ankles and squeeze it as you exhale. Hold the squeeze for a few seconds and release as you inhale. Repeat 10 times on each side.


MAGIC CIRCLE BRIDGE

What it works: Core, buttocks

How to do it: Lie on your back, knees bent and feet placed hip-width apart. With your arms by your sides, hold the Magic Circle between your knees. As you exhale, flex the abdominal muscles and slowly lift your hips and then the lower back off the floor. Keep your neck and shoulders relaxed as your legs squeeze the Magic Circle. Exhale as you slowly return to the start position. Repeat five times.


Fitness Article by Pradeep Paul

Fitness Exercises by Claudel Kuek


PowerMoves Pilates Studio in the Park


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