On Running: A Conversation with Vonne Atkinson

Well Body Pilates instructor, Vonne Atkinson shares what got her running initially, how pilates helps move that practice forward and the music that gives her swagger!

Check out her interview and playlist below to find out more as she gives helpful insight into her life of movement. 

Tell us what you love about running and how you got started?

The thing I love about running is its simplicity and freedom. It hardly cost anything, and you can run just about anywhere you want. I feel free when I run. I zone out or problem solve, because it’s my time to just be. Especially trail running, I get to connect to nature and life when on the trail. It’s almost like a moving meditation. What started me running was seeing people run in front of my apartment on Belmont Boulevard when I was a student at BU. One day I just thought, one foot in front of the other and just stepped outside and ran. 

What about pilates helps prepare runners for their workout?

Pilates is low impact full body movement. All movement should come from the core. Strengthening your core is very important for runners because it helps with your posture. There is also stretching in Pilates as well as movement that opens up your hips. For example, one leg circle and side kick series make me feel amazing! 

How has Pilates complimented your running practice and on the flip side, how does running inform your pilates practice? What are the greatest benefits you’ve seen for yourself and your students?

Pilates has complimented my running in several ways, one being breathing. Since I have been doing Pilates I breathe more effectively while running. Pilates also reminds me to run from my Powerhouse and to not sink or slouch while running. Running helps with my Pilates because while I am practicing Pilates I am aware of different movements that help me when running. Example would be hip openers since running occurs in a forward motion only.

What kind of running injuries does pilates assist in preventing?

As for injuries, Pilates helped me with “Runner’s Knee”. Before I found Pilates I used to get Runner’s Knee frequently. Since practicing Pilates I haven’t gotten it at all! I also trail run and Pilates has helped with body awareness while running on an unstable surface.

Should we be taking your pilates class before or after running?

You can do Pilates before or after running. I find benefits in both. Before running I enjoy the feeling of tightening my core. It makes me run taller and breathe better. After running I like Pilates because I focus on stretching, lateral work, and opening my hips.

What are you most excited about in training runners at Well Body Pilates?

 I am excited about training runners because it allows me to tap into the Nashville running community, my other movement family! I love running, even though I am a mid packer, it’s the freedom and peace I find when I run. I want other runners to experience all the benefits Pilates has as well as how it can compliment running. 

Currently, what are some of your favorite tunes to motivate you for running AND training?

I have always liked a lot of different genres of music. I like rock, hip hop and rap, and dance music when I run. I don’t worry too much about the beats per minute. I am more interested in how the music makes me feel. For example, I listen to some pretty ratchet rap while running. It’s the only time I actually feel like a badass and think I have swagger.

Check out Vonne’s Pilates for Runners on Thursdays at 6:30 at WBP East and FREE WBP Running Club on April 14 and May 12 at 8 AM at WBP East!

A rundown of some of Vonne's favorite songs to run to that give her an extra boost of swagger to keep moving.

Welcome Jolane Morgan and Jamie Kopit

Have you met WBP Teacher Jolane Morgan? Jolane is a perfect example of the life changing and healing benefits of Pilates. Jolane worked for 23 years as an Art Director and Technical Producer for live television and corporate events, laborious work that required lots of heavy lifting and took a toll on her body. Jolane left the industry on 2013, when she was pregnant with twins. After so many years of intense physical work, a cesarean, and carrying and caring for twins, Jolane was in severe pain. She had several herniated discs in her lumbar and cervical spine, along with diastisis recti and an umbilical hernia. Jolane tried every possible avenue for recovery: decompression therapy, physical therapy, acupuncture, structural integration, steroid injections, massage, nerve ablations. These methods helped temporarily ease Jolane’s pain, but it always came back with a vengeance. Jolane returned to Pilates, which has proven to be the constant that has kept her out of pain, so much that Jolane was inspired to become a Certified Pilates teachers so she can help others improve their lives. Pilates has given her mobility and strength to be an active and involved mother. Three years ago Jolane was unable to lift her 2-year-olds, now she is lifting her 5-year-olds! It IS possible to live without pain and to enjoy daily activities with zest and comfort! 

Jamie Kopit is new to Nashville and we are beyond thrilled to have her on staff teaching Gyrotonic! Jamie was born and raised in Huntington Beach, California.  She started practicing the GYROTONIC® expansion method when she was just 14 years old.  This method of movement helped her scoliosis and improve her range of movement for ballet, which was becoming a great passion and potential career path.  At 15, Kopit was awarded Grand Prix in the senior division for ballet at the Youth America Grand Prix Los Angeles Regional competition. After competing in the competition’s finals in New York, Kopit was offered a scholarship to the Royal Ballet School of London where she trained for two years. At 17, Kopit joined the prestigious American Ballet Theatre (ABT) as a corps de ballet dancer where she spent six seasons. During her time at ABT, Kopit toured internationally in Beijing, Hong Kong, Taipei, Seoul, Tokyo, Osaka, Paris, Barcelona, Brisbane, Muscat and Abu Dhabi. When she wasn’t performing around the world, Jamie continued practicing the Gyrotonic method and began her teacher training under master trainer Sebastian Plettenberg.  Jamie joined Nashville Ballet and the Well Body Pilates team the summer of 2018, and is extremely excited to share her knowledge of Gyrotonics in Tennessee.  Gyrototincs is a true passion of hers, and she believes it can benefit anyone, during any stage of life.   She cherishes it’s ability to holistically strengthen and awaken both the body and mind, and wants to show others how Gyrotonics can enhance the quality of one’s life.

March MATness Challenge

#MarchMATness2018 is here and we have a special Instagram challenge for you!

Every year in March, the Pilates community comes together to celebrate those 34 incredible Mat exercises created by Joseph Pilates, as published in Return to Life Through Contrology. This year, we want you to join in the fun! We'll be posting the daily exercise on the socials, as well as featuring the exercise in all the classes in the studio. Here's how you can get involved and win prizes:

1. Follow @marchmatness and @wellbodypilates on Instagram

2. Post a photo or video of yourself doing the featured exercise each day. Post in order. The number of the exercise corresponds to the date. 

3. Tag @wellbodypilates and @marchmatness and use hashtags #marchmatness or #marchmatness2018

4. Whoever posts each exercise in March Matness wins a Private Session! 

See below for the full list of exercises. Ask your friendly Well Body Pilates Teachers for help, if you need pointers or just need us to take your picture. Good luck! 

Visit www.marchmatness.com for more information on the March Matness Movement!

1. #hundred
2. #rollup
3. #rollover
4. #onelegcircle
5. #rollingback
6. #onelegstretch
7. #doublelegstretch
8. #spinestretch
9. #rockerwithopenlegs
10. #corkscrew
11. #saw
12. #swandive
13. #onelegkick
14. #doublelegkick
15. #neckpull
16. #scissors and #bicycle
17. #shoulderbridge
18. #spinetwist
19. #jackknife
20. #sidekick
21. #teaser
22. #hiptwist
23. #swimming
24. #legpulls (front and back)
25. #kneelingsidekick
26. #sidebend
27. #boomerang
28. #seal and #crab
29. #rocking
30. #controlbalance
31. #pushup

Coming Soon - Well Body West!

Dear WBP Movers,

The last year and a half has been such an amazing adventure growing and getting stronger with our incredible WBP family in East Nashville. We have built a wonderful community of teachers and students and we are so excited to announce our second location on Charlotte Ave in West Nashville, next door to the beautiful Lequire Gallery. 

I grew up in Sylvan Park, and it is a dream to open a studio in the neighborhood. I am beyond grateful to all of you for your support on the journey so far, and can't wait to bring the amazing work that we do to the West side. 

Stay tuned for updates in the coming weeks as we start the build out. We'll be offering some exciting pre-opening packages and specials in both locations!

In the meantime, check out the online schedule and join us for class in our original East Nashville location. 

 Keep moving, 

 Elizabeth 

Teacher Feature-Taylor Costin

Get to know Taylor, WBP Lead Pilates Teacher! Taylor trained with Stott and Erika Bloom Pilates. She is originally from Madison, CT and comes to Nashville by way of Charleston, SC. Check out Taylor's classes or schedule a private with her to experience her inspiring teaching style and exceptional knowledge first hand!

How did you find Pilates? How has movement/pilates affected your life?

I found Pilates through my mother. She had a reformer in our house before I realized it wasn't just a toy. Once I realized the impact of Pilates on my body, I was hooked. I had developed knee and spinal issues and genuinely needed to practice Pilates in order to keep my pain at bay, still do. I also find hat practicing Pilates has a meditative appeal. Being able to put my focus on my body and breathing has changed my life. All of that aside, I can't deny the superficial appeal of the muscle emphasis on our deeper intrinsic muscles - narrowing and lengthening muscles. 

What is your favorite Pilates exercise and why?

My favorite Pilates exercise would have to be bridging in all of the forms. I love it because it incorporates hamstrings (butt lifters), mutifidi (stabilizers) and when done correctly our core, not to mention the feeling of articulating and stretching the spine vertebrae by vertebrae. There is nothing like it.

What is your favorite outdoor activity?

I love anything and everything outdoors. I love hiking especially since I grew up in Connecticut. I love walking the golf course with my boyfriend. I love walking and talking with my best friend, Birdy, my Cavalier King Charles. Outdoors is my happy place.

Where can you be found when you are not in the studio? 

My current obsession other than being a Nashville Cavalier member and hosting dog parties is Three Girls Vegan. My mother, sister and I have started a vegan artisan cheese company and it has been a hit in Connecticut/New York and I am currently in the process of bringing it to Nashville! It is unlike any other vegan options out there and its great to be making positive steps for peoples health and the environment. We will be starting to sell our goodies at 12 South farmers market every Tuesday and you can check us out at www.threegirlsvegan.com