The Dangerous Side of Pilates

Pilates, a fitness regime once reserved for the delicate musculature of prima ballerinas, has gone graphic. Certified Pilates instructor and kung fu expert Eric Schimel lays out his hard-core approach to deep muscle fitness inside the edgy graphics of a Pilates comic book. And he’s willing to risk serious injury to hook you into the story line.

Tired of the dull and dry in typical manuals, Schimel originally created the comic for his Austin, Texas studio to ease newcomers into Pilates’ complicated routines.

“Logically, we wrote a manual full of technical terms and descriptions,” says Schimel. “It was so boring, it actually depressed us. So the manual was reborn as a comic with all the silly fun and colorful demonstration we could commit to page.”

This month, he brings the book and a special Pilates seminar to Plaza Wellspring, a wellness studio in Kansas City, Mo., which offers an extensive menu of alternative fitness regimes and healing expertise. The studio is a great local launch point for this fresh, funkadelic angle on fitness, which includes an extensive DVD exploring the positions, goals and breathing techniques integral to Pilates. It also gives examples of the 18 basic mat exercises Schimel teaches. Graphic illustrations show what muscles are strengthened by each position and give readers the deeper meaning behind each move.

So what is the danger? Pilates has a darker side, according to Schimel, especially when you take it off the mat and move it to a more “extreme” platform. On advanced reformer equipment that to the layman looks a little like a medieval torture rack, Pilates is all about precision and mental focus. Under expert supervision, users get a deep, powerful workout. Handle the pulleys and ropes incorrectly and you risk serious injury. To promote his comic book and kick off his new Pilates seminar at Plaza Wellspring, Schimel will do a Level 5 super-advanced reformer routine on Friday, March 27, 7 to 8 p.m. at the studio.

And he will do it blindfolded.

"We Pilates teachers, (usually without the blindfold) perform it once, in fear, in order to graduate and then we never look back,” says Schimel. “Containing 35 separate sequences comprised of over 375 total repetitions, it is too long for a class and too dangerous as well. Yeah, that's right, dangerous.”

So Schimel will not only complete this funky, injury-defying workout in 55 minutes but manipulate the complicated equipment in virtual darkness. Spectators will not only get a feel for the incredible muscle development Pilates can give you, a la Schimel’s advanced physique, but they will be inspired by his warrior-type mastery of the equipment.

On Saturday, March 28, 2 to 5 p.m. at Plaza Wellspring, Schimel holds the mat workshop that inspired the comic book and was inspired by his martial arts background. The seminar will give insights into how to take your fitness to the next level or how to advance your technique as a martial artist.

“We'll study how the manual and DVD relate to each classical exercise and then students can take the learning materials, as well as the personal experience, with them into their future practice," says Schimel.

Plaza Wellspring is located 4901 Main Street, Suite 400, Kansas City, Missouri. Click here for a map.

Living a life of Simple Abundance

By Mary Yewell

What exactly does living a simply abundant life mean? Cancelling all appointments on your busy calendar to spend time meditating on having harmony in your life? Hiring a contractor with a front loader to clean out all the piles of accumulated stuff that makes up your cluttered environment? Carving out one hour a week to do something that for you and you alone brings you joy? Looking in the mirror at the person you hardly recognize and asking the question, " When was the last time you had a day off?" The answer to these questions could be: Yes, No, Maybe, or an audible sigh.

The daily choices we make and that we allow others to make for us determine the life we live. Today is a day you can choose to start making small changes that will lead you to that simpler and more abundant life. Living a more abundant life begins with daily gratitude. Begin each day with a grateful heart. Take yourself off of autopilot. Take a deep breath and enjoy the smell of your morning coffee, or admire the blue sky as you start your day. Take time to thank the person that held the door for you, helped you accomplish a goal at work, or simply smiled at you in passing. At the end of the day jot down five things that you are grateful for that happened during the day. You will be amazed at how much more aware you are of the abundance that surrounds you. Abundance comes in many forms that have nothing to do with the exchange of money.

The second step is to look at your calendar. Make a conscious choice to make an appointment with yourself for one hour a week. Protect this time at all costs, you deserve it! Then write down five things you have wanted to do for yourself but have not taken the time to do. This does not include chores like taking the dry cleaning to the cleaners, giving the dog a bath, or mowing the lawn. The five things on your list are things that will make you feel good, like getting a haircut, painting your toenails or visiting a museum all by yourself. The five things you have listed are the goals for you to accomplish over the next five weeks during your one hour appointment with yourself. Since it is only an hour, there is no reason for you to pack a bag and go on a guilt trip! Just mark the time on your calendar and keep your commitment to yourself.

The next step is to stop and look around you, what can you do to simplify your environment? Is it time to set new expectations with those that live with you about picking up after themselves? Ask them to help you with making space for the accumulation of things that everyone seems to stumble over in the family room. What needs to stay and where is a home for it? What needs to go because it no longer holds the value it once did? Who would be delighted to have what you no longer need? Sharing your abundance with others is a gift to both the sender and the receiver. You will have less clutter and the new owner will rejoice in having something new to them. Once the space is cleared set the expectation that every time something is taken out, it must be returned to its home before taking out something new. When it's time to leave the room, everything gets put away. Yes, it can happen!

Today is a new day. How will you choose to live a simpler more abundant life?

Mary Yewell is teaching a two-session workshop on Simple Abundance on Saturday, October 4th and Saturday, October 11th 2008 from 1-4pm. Cost is $250/person. Space is limited and will sell out. Call Plaza Wellspring at 816-931-6533 before September 26 2008 to reserve your spot.

Crystal Singing Bowl Concert

Plaza Wellspring presents:

Crystal Singing Bowl Concert
Institute of Transformational Studies
As featured in The Pitch Weekly

Date: Wednesday, July 9th 2008
Time: 7:00pm (Doors open at 6:30 - come early.
We had standing room only last time!)
Cost: FREE! Donations gratefully accepted.
Where: Plaza Wellspring, 4901 Main Street, Suite 400, KCMO
(49th and Main in the US Bank building)
For more info: Call 816-931-6533

Come experience this intuitive concert. This is an evening to immerse yourself in the energy, meditate in the sound and enjoy the spontaneity. These pure crystal bowls are 99.992% pure quartz crystal intermixed with precious gems and minerals. The tones produced are not just heard, but felt. Cushions, mats, and chairs provided. Feel free to sit or lay!

Heal. Balance. Meditate. Enjoy.

Autumn is traditionally the time of rest and renewal. Come to Plaza Wellspring this fall to replenish yourself after the demands of summer. Harvest your spiritual awareness and wellness with our practitioners all throughout the months of autumn.

Nurture, nourish, and have some fun!







Crystal Singing Bowl Concert
Join Jeff Klein and friends for this intuitive crystal bowl concert. This is an evening to immerse yourself in the energies, meditate in the sound, and enjoy the spontaneity. This crystal bowls are 99.992% pure quartz, overlaid with precious gems and minerals. The tones produced are not just heard, but felt. Chairs, mats, and cushions provided.

Tuesday, August 19th 2008 at 8:00pm.
This event is free. Donations gratefully accepted.







Carnival of Wellness
September 20th 2008
1:00-4:00pm

Join Plaza Wellspring practitioners for a fun day of short classes, lectures, and mini-sessions!

We'll have Laughter Yoga, GYROKINESIS, Joint Freeing Yoga, Pilates Mat, and even Kung Fu with brand-new practitioner Elisha Wampler.

When it's time to cool off and rest, listen to a lecture!

Call ahead to reserve your mini-session space! (Last time, we sold out before the event!)

Admission is $20. (Mention this blog post and a friend gets in free!) All mini-sessions are included in the admission price.




Simple Abundance
"You are about to embark on a grand adventure, the journey to discover your authentic self. The six principles of Simple Abundance - Gratitude, Simplicity, Order, Harmony, Beauty, and Joy gently remind you what truly matters most. As each principle unfolds, you will experience your life in a new way and come to find that you are among a community of women, who share your challenges, dreams and Hopes. As you complete the workshop assignments, you will re-discover the most important woman in the world, yourself!" - Mary Yewell

Join Mary Yewell, certified Simple Abundance instructor, for this uplifting class.

Two-part series:
Saturday, October 4th and Saturday, October 11th.
Register by September 26th.
$250/person.






Satsang with Amma's Students

Sunday, October 12, 2008

4:30 - 5:00 p.m. Chai and Conversation
5:00 - 6:30 p.m. Program with complimentary vegetarian dinner to follow

Mātā Amritanandamayī Devi, or "Amma," is considered one of the great spiritual leaders of the world and is revered as a saint by many. She is a widely respected humanitarian and is known as "the hugging saint" for her tireless hours sharing unconditional love through her embrace.

Satsang means "in the company of truth." It is an opportunity for us to come together to enjoy the Grace of Amma through our social connection and simple spiritual practices. Our program starts with a video or audio clip of Amma's teachings, followed by time-honored chanting of sacred names, singing or simply sitting in the presence of soul-stirring songs (bhajans), hearing readings of Amma's teachings, performing Arati, a beautiful ritual of purification to the Divine Mother, meditating and praying for peace in the exquisite energy and grace generated through the previous activities.

Please RSVP to Melissa Ingram, ingramstudio@kcnet.com, so that we can arrange enough food.




Communiversity Fair
Be sure to come visit us at the Communiversity Holistic Health fair!

Sunday, November 9th from 11:00am-6:00pm at UMKC's Pierson Auditorium.

Free admission.


Thank you for supporting Plaza Wellspring!

Do you know about the Codex Alimentarius?

Q: I was at a program at the Uptown Theater featuring Brian Clements of the Hippocrates Institute last month and the Codex Alimentarius was mentioned with great emphasis. I’m clueless. What am I supposed to be worried about?

A: You have some homework to do. You also have some emails to send to those that represent you in Washington. Get started with www.healthfreedomusa.org

You will find all the basics of the history of Codex and well written emails you can send directly to your state reps and congress people.

Q: So, what’s the big issue? Why should I be worried?

A: Codex was created in 1962 by the UN as a trade commission to control international trade of foods. Initial intent was good; eventually the pharmaceutical, biotech, pesticide and chemical industries corporate interests took over.

A: What did they do to make this so scary?

Q: Codex is backed by the World Trade Organization. Any country not compliant would lose to a compliant country with a huge economic punishment.

Q: That sounds like a good thing. What’s the problem?

A: Example: the USA has banned the use of 9 toxic pesticides and herbicides which Monsanto is selling to other countries. These countries have signed the World Trade Agreement. They use these toxins on their produce and we MUST allow fair trade. We are buying toxic produce and selling it in our markets. If we don’t, there will be huge sanctions taken against our country.

Q: I get the feeling there is more than just the imports involved in this.

A: Absolutely. Some of the rules of Codex are not sound science. The chairman, Dr. Rolf Grossklaus of Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses believes that nutrition has no role in health. Hmm?! He has declared nutrients to be toxins in 1994 and used toxicology (Risk Assessment) studies to prevent nutrients from having impact on human who take supplements. He also owns the company that does the Risk Assessments for Codex. Conflict of interest?

Q: I’m confused. Risk Assessment is about toxicology. I thought Biochemistry is the study of nutrients and life processes.

A: You are spot on! Codex will allow “junk” science to severely restrict our rights to nutritional supplements if it passes. Supplements of any therapeutic value will become illegal (toxins).

Q: How can this Codex plan be controlling the USA?

A: It’s based on the Napoleonic code rather than common law. This means that, anything not explicitly permitted in forbidden. This plan can ban our supplements by default. (toxins)

Q: When is the deadline to stop this process?

A: December 31, 2009. Action needs to be taken now.

Q: What do you suggest I do for immediate effectiveness?

A: Check www.healthfreedomusa.org. Be a “mouse warrior” Send emails to all your friends to get them mobilized, send emails to your people in Washington and get people together to talk about this. Do something to protect yourself. Educate your representatives, your friends and your community. Please be pro-active.