Every Tuesday at three in the afternoon, students twist themselves into a pretzel formation, which they call relaxation in room 117 with Ms. D’Andrea.
Artwork by Ed Gloor
Starting this year, Thomas Jefferson students have the opportunity to experience a type of workout every Tuesday, known as Pilates. Special Education Science teacher and Pilate’s expert, Deb D’Andrea instructs students and teachers through a very calming thirty minute workout.
Upon walking into room 117 one can hear very calming, mellow music and see workout mats laid out on the floor the colors of the rainbow. D’Andrea is at the front of the room greeting everyone attending, telling them to pick a mat anywhere. Once the room is filled with eager students, and sometimes even teachers, the workout will begin. “This is one of the best exercises for the body and its great for cleansing and getting rid of stress,” said D’Andrea.
Pilates is a fitness program that was developed in the early 20th century by a man named Joseph Pilate, in Germany. This exercise was also called Contrology which means control in Greek, because it is believed one has to use their mind to control their muscles. In this routine one helps their flexibility, strength, endurance, and coordination in the legs, abdominals, arms, and back. As of 2005 it was said that 11 million people have begun this great exercise and there are 14,000 instructors in the United States.
The workout starts off with what D’Andrea calls cleansing breaths. She will have students sit up straight and as they take a deep breath in, they will raise their hands above their heads. When they breath out the students are then asked to put their hands back on the mat. After students do this three times, the class is instructed on the next position, which involves participants twisting their legs and arms around each other. This position is known as the pretzel, which stretches the legs, arms, and back. “The other moves that I like to do are called cat- cow, forearm plank, and spine stretches,” said D’Andrea.
D’Andrea is very qualified to teach this class, as she is a certified fitness instructor. In order to do this activity, she had to become certified in CPR and first aid. “I have been doing Pilates for 20 years now,” said D’Andrea. “I teach step, aerobics, and Pilates at the YMCA. I enjoyed the classes so much I decided to bring it to TJ,”
Some of D’Andrea’s most frequent participants are the girl’s volleyball team. “The team alternates girls every Tuesday to come and do Pilates,” said D’Andrea. “Hopefully this will stretch the girls out and we will win more volleyball games,” she said.
If ever stressed out with school work, head on down to room 117 and join the volleyball girls in a relaxing exercise. D’Andrea says everyone is welcome and truly believes it’s a great remedy for one’s health.
