Illustra Image Consulting Blog

Pilates: Keeping a Healthy Image

We all know that we need to stay in shape to age gracefully. When we feel good, we look good and have a greater self-image. Pilates is a great way to keep our body in balance and harmony just as we do when dressing. A good friend of mine Carla Boling is a Certified Personal Trainer and Pilates Instructor. I asked her to write as a featured author in today's blog about pilates as a form of exercise and it's benefits. Here is Carla's explanation.

What is Pilates

The Pilates method is a series of exercises developed over 90 years ago by Joseph H. Pilates to strengthen and tone the body. Joseph studied anatomy books to learn how the muscles work in harmony to perform movement. He also studied Eastern and Western forms of exercise including yoga. He found that by concentrating on the movement of the inner muscles of the body, and by exercising smoothly and with control real strength and balance could be achieved.

The poor physical condition many of us are in today comes from the imbalance of engaging in complicated, inefficient exercises that isolate certain body parts while neglecting others. The goal of the Pilates method is to bring the body into balance. Circulation is improved by proper breathing techniques taught during the exercises. Finally, emphasis on training the "core" muscles improves posture and trims the waistline.

Women Over 40: How to Brighten Your Skin

As women evolve into their 40's, their skin becomes more dry and dull looking. It seems as though we have lost that luminious glow of our younger years. It is important to add exfoliation to our skin care routine to help our skin look more supple, but I've also found a new product to add more sheen and radiance to your skin.

To add radiance back to your face, try a liquid luminizer. Apply this product to the top of your cheekbones but be careful to stay away from any wrinkles around the eye area. Add a touch of this brightener under the arch of your eyebrows and to the inside tiny corners of your eye area.

I personally use and love the product by Benefit called "Highbeam." It costs $24.00 and is available at most department stores or you can buy it online at www.benefitcosmetics.com. It is a soft pinkish sheen that produces young radiant looking skin. This product works for all skin tones. It was voted the "best luminizing lotion/cream" by the In Style magazine. ?I apply this product lightly as I mentioned above in a few small dots and blend to just give?my skin a little shimmer. Be careful to keep away from wrinkles though, as it will accentuate them which is not what we are trying to do here!

If you use a light applicatin in these three strategic areas you skin will appear more luminious and younger looking. Who wouldn't like someone to mistake them to be five years younger? Try it - I think you will like the results!