Sligh first discovered her passion for Pilates almost a decade ago while studying Media Arts and Dance at the University of Arizona. After moving to Los Angeles she decided to make a career out of her passion and completed her Classical Pilates Certification. She furthered her education and teaching skills while working at Equinox clubs in Santa Monica and Westwood. Her client list quickly grew to include professional models, dancers,celebrity athletes and actors. In 2008 Sarah was named the Lululemon Ambassador for Brentwood because of her dedication to teaching Pilates and community involvement. In 2009 Sarah relocated to Dallas and currently works as the Pilates Coordinator for Equinox Highland Park where she oversees the studio’s daily operations and teaches private and group class sessions. With more than eight years teaching experience Sarah brings her passion for movement and knowledge of the human body to each and every session.
KS: With school starting up again, do you have any advice for students who slouch over there computer and feel it in their back after a few hours?
SS: A great stretch I recommend for anyone who has to sit in the same position too long is the “Wall Roll Down”. Stand flat against a wall then slide your feet about one foot distance forward keeping your shoulders, neck, and back flat to the wall. Try to draw your shoulders down and flatten your abdominals to your spine. Then, keeping your shoulder blades plugged into the wall behind you, make large circles with your arms. After about 5 circles in each direction raise the arms above your head. Make sure the ribs and hips are still pressing into the wall behind you. From here, nod your chin to your chest and let your head hang heavy as a bowling ball, then slowly begin to roll down one vertebrae at a time until your hands are dangling just a few inches above the floor. Soften your knees then, nudge your arms into lazy circles keeping your head heavy. Reverse the circles and try to release all the tension in your shoulders, neck and back. Then let your arms and head just hang heavy and slowly roll back up onto the wall articulating one bone at a time until you are standing tall. Repeat 3-5 times.
KS: Sometimes it is really hard to maintain good posture. How important is our posture?
SS: Practicing good posture provides pain relief throughout the body, including the neck, back, hips and feet. It also improves muscle function and blood circulation as well as increased range of motion. What most people don’t realize is that bad posture can compress your organs so good posture is key for good internal health as well. And as a little extra bonus – good posture also gives the appearance of a trimmer body and more confident attitude!
KS: I am sure there will be allot of back to school/ labor day pool parties coming up which means we still have to be bikini ready! How should we stand in our bikini's to look our best?
SS: Muscles have the most definition during and after a work out so doing a few exercises right before you hit the pool will have you looking and feeling your best. And don’t forget about good posture! Remember to keep those shoulders down and back and pull those abs in tight.
Another trick to looking slimmer is to stand with your weight in the balls of your feet and to draw your inner thighs in tight so they appear leaner (think of having two magnets attached to your inner thighs pulling towards each other).
KS: Now that summer is almost over and we are back in the swing of a schedule, how often do you believe we should be working out and keeping up with a fitness routine?
SS: That depends on your health and fitness goals. I usually recommend 2 – 4 one hour workouts per week. You can feel better, sleep better and relive stress with just 30 minutes of exercise per day so just remember a little something is always better than nothing when your schedule gets overwhelming. When my schedule gets hectic I will squeeze in 30 minutes walking my dog in the morning followed by 30 minutes of Pilates in the afternoon.
KS: Do you have any pilates moves we can try at home?
SS: Absolutely! One of my favorites is the plank because you can target so many muscle groups at once. Start on your hands and knees with your shoulders lined up over your wrists and your knees lined up under your hips. Pull the abs tight to your spine and lift your right knee about an inch off the mat, then reach that leg long behind you and place the ball of the foot on the floor with the heel lifted high. Keeping the abs engaged, lift the left knee and stretch the left leg back as well. You are now in your plank position and should have one straight line from the crown of your head to your heels. Imagine your body is a solid plank of wood. Squeeze your glutes and inner thighs as tight as possible and imagine you are tucking a tail between your legs. Gently press the mat away from you and lift up out of your wrists. Hold the position up to 2 minutes and repeat up to 5 times.
Sarah's Fitness Favorites:
Quote: “You get what you give”
Sunscreen: Skin Ceuticals Sheer Physical Defense SPF 50
Snack: Green Plus Chocolate Energy Bars
Pilates outfit: Lululemon
Way to relax: Dinner and movie night in with my husband
Color: Pink
Restaurant: Mi Cocina
Cheat Food: Five Guys Burger and Fries
Charity: Junior League of Dallas
To contact Sarah for more information please email sarah.sligh@equinox.com
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