Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Polar Bear Plunge for the Special Olympics of MN
Pledge Susie! http://plungemn.org/plunger/susiequarstad



2011 Crew!
2010 Crew!
It was early 2006 when on a bathroom stall door I saw a flyer from the Special Olympics of MN presenting an interesting and somewhat strange way to raise money and awareness for their wonderful cause.  So along side two friends and many other crazy strangers I plunged into White Bear Lake in the middle of January on a very cold day. I decided that day to plunge for the SOMN every year for as long as I was physically able.  So brought the second year, myself and five friends plunged marking our first year as an organized team. The third year we came up with a name, "Susie Q and Her Crazy Crew", tee-shirts and a photo team with a crew of eight plungers.  January 2011, we had a total of 24 plungers, raising just under $10,000 and this past year, January 2012 with 36 plungers joining the crew we raised up of $14,000!!! In 2013 holding up my deal for the EIGHT consecutive year we will be plunging on on January 26th 2013 at White Bear Lake!

Every year the plunge season gets bigger and more exciting for the crew, in 2011 we started our own Facebook  and Twitter pages!! 


my 2012 plunge!
For the 2013 plunge I have set my personal pledge goal at$1,000 with hopes of reaching beyond $1,500 as I have accomplished this for many of the past plunging years.  Please consider a donation to assist me in getting closer to my personal goal, consequently helping the entire 'crew' in reaching or collective teal goal.  
Clicking the following link will send you to my personal pledge page.  Here you will be able to make a secure online donation and you will also receive an automatic receipt for your generous contribution that IS tax deductible.  
         
Polar plunge events help support thousands of SOMN athletes. Special Olympic athletes around the world follow the oath: "Let me win. But if I can not win, let me be brave in the attempt."  Polar Bear Plungers follow this example by bravely taking a chilly dip for a wonderful group of people.  http://www.specialolympicsminnesota.org/



First printed shirts 2008 plunge!
2007 Plunge!
2009 Crew

 On behalf of Susie Q & her Crazy crew from years past, present and future, I thank you for your consideration and support of the 2013 Special Olympics Polar Bear Plunge! Stay Warm, I will do the plunging!!         -Susie Q  

  






Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Tuesday October 2nd Classes Canceled.


*Note to Minneapolis Community Education Students*


the Bad News:   As a last minute decision at Washburn H.S. all community education classes are being canceled this coming Tuesday Oct 2nd. The school is hosting an open house and will not be able to accommodate classes as well.  

the Good News:  Tuesday classes will be extended one week for a full fall session. Last class will be held Nov 20th.



Saturday, September 1, 2012

Fall 2012 classes begin September 24th!



Pilates 1 Mat Class- Experience a low-impact, gentle-to-the-joints body conditioning class. Improve your posture, balance, and flexibility with this unique method of conditioning through stretching and strengthening exercises. Build strength in your abdomen, lower back, and hips with the focus of making your torso the power center of your body.

Pilates 2 Mat Class- In this class is for those of you who have taken Pilates 1 and are looking for a little more. This class is sure to test your conditioning with both strengthening and stretching exercises. The focus is on making the torso the power center of the body. 


Pilates/Yoga Power Sculpt Mat Class- In this Class we begin with Yoga Sun Salutations to heat the body then continue with Pilates at an intermediate level adding resistance-bands for resistance. Resistance-bands are available through me to borrow or to purchase for $5.

Minneapolis Community Education 2012 Class Schedule. 
*Monday and Tuesday evening Winter/Spring/Fall session Classes are held at Washburn H.S. in the Black Box Theater Room. 201 49th Street W., Minneapolis, MN 55419 Enter Door 3 (the community ed entrance) on 49th Street at Washburn H.S. walk through the double doors and make your first right. The room is down a short hallway with black doors labeled The Black Box Theater Room.  It is a nice private, quite comfortable room for pilates!  
http://www.mplscommunityed.com/ OR call 612-668-3450 (Washburn H.S.)

Monday (8 week session)

Sept 24-Nov 12 2012
6:00pm Pilates 1
7:15pm Pilates Yoga Power Sculpt Unfortunately cancelled due to low registration

Tuesday (8 week session)

Sept 25-Nov 20 2012 No classes Oct 2nd Washburn will be unavailable.
6:00pm Pilates 1
7:15pm-8:30pm Pilates 2


*Wednesday evening Winter/Spring/Fall session Classes are held at  
Lake Harriet School in the lunch room located in the center of the school.
4912 Vincent Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN  55410 Located between Washburn and Vincent Avenues South and between 49th and 50th Streets West.
http://www.mplscommunityed.com/ OR call 612-668-3330 (Lake Harriet School) 

Wednesday (9 week session)
Sept 26-Nov 20 2012 No classes Nov 21st Lake Harriet School will be closed for Thanksgiving Vacation. 
6:15pm Pilates 1
7:15pm Pilates 1
8:15pm Pilates 2 Unfortunately cancelled due to low registration


*Please note Lake Harriet School does NOT provide mats! If you are attending this class as a make up and do not own a mat please contact me prior to the evening of the class and I will bring a mat for you to use. *

http://www.mplscommunityed.com/ OR call 612-668-3450 (Washburn H.S.) 612-668-3330 (Lake Harriet School)  



Wednesday, May 23, 2012

In the spirit of keeping your interest in Pilates

Spring session is over and the daunting summer (without community ed classes) is upon us (stillll waiting to find out if we will have a summer session).   In the spirit of keeping your interest in Pilates on a high level I would like to share this article from Balanced body highlighting the "Benefits of Pilates"



The Benefits of Pilates

Pilates can really make a difference in your health without taking a toll on your body.

A refreshing mind-body workout

By emphasizing proper breathing, correct spinal and pelvic alignment, and concentration on smooth, flowing movement, you become acutely in tune with your body. You actually learn how to control its movement.
In Pilates the quality of movement is valued over quantity of repetitions. Proper breathing is essential, and helps you execute movements with maximum power and efficiency. Last but not least, learning to breathe properly can reduce stress.

Develop a strong core - flat abdominals and a strong back

Pilates exercises develop a strong "core," or center of the body. The core consists of the deep abdominal muscles along with the muscles closest to the spine. Control of the core is achieved by integrating the trunk, pelvis and shoulder girdle.

Gain long, lean muscles and flexibility

More conventional or traditional workouts are weight bearing and tend to build short, bulky muscles - the type most prone to injury. Pilates elongates and strengthens, improving muscle elasticity and joint mobility. A body with balanced strength and flexibility is less likely to be injured.

Create an evenly conditioned body, improve sports performance, and prevent injuries

In the same vein, a lot of these same conventional workouts tend to work the same muscles. This leads weak muscles tend to get weaker and strong muscles tend to get stronger. The result is muscular imbalance - a primary cause of injury and chronic back pain.
Pilates conditions the whole body, even the ankles and feet. No muscle group is over trained or under trained. Your entire musculature is evenly balanced and conditioned, helping you enjoy daily activities and sports with greater ease, better performance and less chance of injury. That’s why so many professional sports teams and elite athletes now use Pilates as a critical part of their training regimen.

Learn how to move efficiently

Pilates exercises train several muscle groups at once in smooth, continuous movements. By developing proper technique, you can actually re-train your body to move in safer, more efficient patterns of motion - invaluable for injury recovery, sports performance, good posture and optimal health.

It’s gentle…

Many of the exercises are performed in reclining or sitting positions, and most are low impact and partially weight bearing. Pilates is so safe, it is used in physical therapy facilities to rehabilitate injuries.

But it’s also challenging…

Pilates is also an extremely flexible exercise system. Modifications to the exercises allow for a range of difficulty ranging from beginning to advanced. Get the workout that best suits you now, and increase the intensity as your body conditioning improves.

Find this article here:  http://gamma.pilates.com/BBAPP/V/pilates/benefits-of-pilates.html#continued



Monday, February 6, 2012

Simply put...

 Talking about our pilates bodies and using our POWERHOUSE!

 http://www.spineuniverse.com/wellness/exercise/pilates-strengthen-your-body-without-pain

     More than 20 years ago in a tiny walk-up studio with creaky hardwood floors, several dancers and exercise enthusiasts would join several times each week for 'ballet exercise'. In actuality, the movements of Joseph Pilates (Pil-lah-tees) (1880-1967) were in practice. The benefits from his method provided physical and mental balance, eliminated stress, and helped to build in each individual a strong and streamlined musculature.

     Joseph Pilates' exercise philosophy can benefit men and women of any age. It is especially beneficial to people who recognize the importance of providing a firm support system for the spine. The essence of Pilates places its focus on what is termed the body's 'powerhouse.' This is the abdominal area, the buttocks, hips (inner thighs) and low back (lumbar spine) - the center of the body.


      Pilates works the deep muscles in the body creating a strong center.
His teachings, "The Art of Contrology" unites mind and body to create a direct connection to the muscles. Each precise movement requires mental concentration and physical control. The mind and body learn to work together as one harmonious unit. Muscles are stretched and lengthened while building strength through gentle, non-impact exercises that, as perfected, are designed to flow naturally in rhythm from one movement into the next.

Find this article here: http://www.spineuniverse.com/wellness/exercise/pilates-strengthen-your-body-without-pain