Age is NOT a disease. 

I can not tell you how many times I have heard my clients blame a current ailment on age. It’s not turning 50 that is making your balance worse, it’s not turning 60 that’s making your back hurt and it’s not turning 70 that’s making you need that walker to go out grocery shopping. It’s most likely weakness and muscle atrophy that is the culprit, not age. Remember – AGE IS NOT A DISEASE!

As a society we are very quick to accept a loss of functional independence, impaired balance, muscle weakness and aches and pains as “part of getting older”.  The media, drug companies and even doctors are all guilty of perpetuating this completely inaccurate information. Research shows that lean muscle mass and power can be preserved as we age. That loss of muscle mass is NOT an unavoidable part of the aging process. There are even studies out demonstrating that people in their 80’s can GAIN muscle...

During my first year at the University of Miami’s Physical Therapy program, we were offered the chance to participate in an elective to learn about Pilates and how it could be applied in the physical rehabilation world. 

I will admit that at first I was skeptical.  A few of the thoughts going through my mind were:

“But isn’t pilates just for rich people?  I’m a broke student with a lot of debt – Not interested.”

“I thought this was a thing created for dancers. I don’t want to be a PT for only dancers”

“It just looks kind of boring!”

But being the nerdy, over-achieving student I was, I decided to take the class anyway.  And that’s where my life began to change.  I immediately started to look at the human body in a different way.  I began to see the quality of movement with a different perspective.  When performing the exercises,...

I don’t leave home without???

My phone

If Joseph Pilates were alive today what would you ask him or have him teach you?

Breathing.

What qualities do you admire in a teacher?

A great eye to correct, connecting with clients, teaching with a purpose, creative verbal cueing.

Top 3 places I have traveled:

Colorado, Israel, New York

Top 3 places I would like to travel:

Napa, Italy, Spain

How would you describe your fashion style?

Classic with edge

3 things you would grab in a fire?

My favorite framed picture of my kids, my phone, my ipad and purse

Top 3 things on your bucket list?

Need a new one!

When was your Pilates a-ha moment?

Learning how to really lift up from my pelvic floor to connect deep with my core.

Favorite Blog?

Mindbody green and Smartbrief Nutrition

Favorite Book?

The Secret

Favorite quote?

Keep Your head high, Glutes tight and your coffee strong

How has...

In society, I am constantly noticing, especially now during the times of an election, a need to label one’s self, in an attempt to fit into some group or aspect of society. 

“I’m a republican”…”I’m a democrat”…”I’m a [name religious group]”…”I’m a yogi”… the list can go on forever.  While I understand the comfort in labeling, the camaraderie of a group, my fear is that it is too easy to lose one’s self in doing so.

I will tell you that I do identify more with the views of one political party over the others, but I am still an independent, because in order to fit ALL the views of that political party, I would be losing a part of myself that I am not comfortable losing.  Now, I’m not saying to go out and denounce all of your affiliations and titles and become an independent, not at all.  I am just challenging you to remain yourself in a world...

Marilyn Mardini is not only a superb Pilates instructor but she’s also quite the foodie!

Check out this list of her favorite restaurants in the Miami area showcasing a wide variety of foods, flavors and local fare.

BBQ– Shiver’s Bar-B-Q and The Georgia Pig

Bistro– Michael’s Genuine

Brunch– Cecconi’s and Biltmore Hotel

Burger- LoKal

Caribbean– Ortanique on the Mile

Chinese/Dim Sum– Tropical Chinese

Cuban– La Casita Cuban Cuisine

Healthy– Threefold Cafe

Hidden Gem– Chef Adrianne’s Restaurant and Wine Bar

Indian– Bombay Darbar

Italian– Caffe Vialetto’s and Caffe Abracci

Lebanese- Daily Bread Marketplace

Mexican- Don Burrito

Neighborhood Favorite- Whisk Gourmet Food and Catering

Organic- Choices Organic Cafe

Peruvian– Machupicchu and CVI.CHE 105

Pizza– Harry’s Pizzeria

Romantic- Casa Tua

Seafood- Garcia’s Seafood Grille

...

For those of you who haven’t made it into one of my classes in South Miami, I’ll tell you I’m a firm believer in hard work.

To me, if you’re not working hard to achieve a goal (whether you’re at the gym, at work, or even in life in general), what’s the point?

Within reason as an instructor, I love to push my clients! Whether that means giving them a little extra motivation to keep their tailbone down while working on Footwork, encouraging them to hold plank (with proper alignment!) for a whole minute, or giving them the courage to hang upside down in a split on the Cadillac, everyone needs that extra push.

Having been a fitness enthusiast and gym-goer for quite some time now, and also as a new instructor, music has and always will be one of my biggest sources of motivation. At this point, the motivation may not be about keeping my tailbone down during footwork or even completing a reformer class, but if a fellow...

If you know me, you know my thoughts on, well, pretty much everything.   Kidding. If you know me, you should know that I really don’t take any medicines, unless it’s a life or death situation.

Unfortunately, however, I do get sick from time to time and feeling better quickly is much more enticing than staying sick. These are a few ways that I manage to feel great by either, not getting sick, or feeling better faster without loading up on pills.

#1 – Eating healthy and eating enough! Throughout the year, and especially during cold and flu season, I make sure that I’m loaded up on healthy, non-processed, and organic foods. I try and get most of my vitamins and minerals from my foods, as opposed to taking supplements. Above and beyond what I eat, making sure I eat enough is just as important. Many years ago, I went through a period where I though “restrictive eating” was acceptable behavior. I think I got every cold and flu going...

I moved to Miami 7 months ago and had a total of 2 friends in town.

By the grace of the universe one of them was Alix Terpos.  Alix and I graduated from the same Physical Therapy doctoral program in Boston 7 years ago and when I decided to move to Miami I reached out to her. Alix told me about this incredible Physical Therapy and Pilates studio where she worked and I was immediately enthralled with the business model and the client centered care the studio provided. I will never forget the moment I walked through the front door for my interview… because I felt at peace for the first time in a long time.

I had felt totally displaced for the greater part of a year as I was transitioning out of a marriage, and a home in New Hampshire- the state in which I have lived my entire life. I was looking for a place to start over, to re-invent… no- rediscover myself. All I was searching for in a job during this time was one that would pay the bills during my process....