Surfers and Yogis are looking beyond their daily surf and yoga class by doing Pilates to expand and develop their skills and strengths. The Yoga House in Playa Guiones recently started offering Pilates classes taught by Ali Bodi, a comprehensively trained Pilates instructor. Pilates is a method of exercise developed in early 20th Century Germany and designed to stretch, strengthen and balance the body. The program focuses on the core postural muscles and helping keep the body balanced. This is essential to providing spinal support. The exercises also teach awareness of breath and alignment of the spine, aiming to strengthen the deep torso muscles.

Pilates is becoming increasingly popular in the world, and can also be a great compliment to surfing and yoga, both of which are common activities around the beaches of Nosara.

Ali Bodi has been in the fitness industry for over 12 years and is a Level III Certified Peak Pilates Instructor, Pilates teacher trainer and ESA Astanga Yoga Instructor, just to name a few off the top of her list of credentials and expertise.

She will be offering teacher-training courses starting August. She will be sponsoring a Tico/Tica each course. “This is so that they can pass on the work to their friends and also be employed to provide stellar classes to their families.” Said Body.

“I came to Costa Rica on a vacation over a year ago and never left” said Bodi. “I saw so much potential with incorporating Pilates with surfing communities.”

The Pilates class is not just for surfers and yogis. People of all physical levels are welcome to take the class. Bodi teaches the class in both Spanish and English and encourages people off all levels to come.
“It’s my goal to have these classes cross cultures and have both Ticos and Gringos enjoy, explore, laugh and grow together,” said Bodi.

Pilates creator Joseph Pilates first used Pilates with fellow inmates in a British run war camp, and then later to help returning injured WWI veterans regain their health by strengthening, stretching, and stabilizing key muscles.

Joseph Pilates said “in 10 sessions you feel different, in 20 you notice a difference and in 30 you have a completely new body.” Bodi couldn’t agree more saying,“I stand by that. It really does work.”

“I’ve taught Pilates to people in wheel chairs and I have students in my class here in Guiones who are in their 70’s,” said Bodi.

For more info about the Pilates class contact The Yoga House or Ali Bodi directly at [email protected] or Facebook: Prema Pilates.