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Not All Pilates Exercises Are Good for Your Back — And That’s Okay!
In spite of what you often hear about Pilates being the go-to solution for back pain, it’s important to gently pause and say this: not all Pilates exercises are appropriate for every spine. If you’re dealing with back pain or new symptoms, the very first step should always be checking in with your doctor and getting a clear imaging and diagnosis for your specific situation. I’ve been teaching Pilates for over 22 years, and I’m also someone who lives in a complicated spine e

Denise Shaw
3 min read


Posture: Small Daily Habits That Make a Big Difference
Good posture isn’t about standing stiff or forcing yourself to “sit up straight” all day. It’s about awareness, balance, and creating habits that support your body rather than strain it. The good news? Improving posture doesn’t require perfection—just small, mindful adjustments practiced consistently. What Causes Bad Posture? Most posture challenges develop gradually through everyday habits. 1. Device use (“tech neck”). Looking down at phones, tablets, and laptops pulls the

Denise Shaw
3 min read


Celebrating World Pilates Day - A Gratitude Journey
As we celebrate World Pilates Day, I find myself reflecting on the profound impact this practice has had, not only on my own life but...

Denise Shaw
2 min read


Embracing Body Positivity: Fostering a Healthy Body Image as We Age
In a society bombarded with (filtered) social media images of youthful perfection and cultural standards of beauty, it's easy to feel...

Denise Shaw
3 min read


The Critical (and most often missing) Element In Your Fitness Program
Do you often have a performance mindset when you workout? Do you often feel discouraged if you didn’t “bring it’ or couldn’t perform all...

Denise Shaw
2 min read


Learn to Discern the difference between Wellbeing and Toxic Fitness Culture
Addressing this issue is way overdue for me. As a fitness professional I have tried to stay consistent with my messaging and focus on...

Denise Shaw
3 min read


March Mindfulness
Action for Happiness created a "Mindful March" calendar to help us experience various ways to be present and fully immersed in the moment....

Denise Shaw
4 min read
"The Pursuit Of Happiness" - 3 Ways to Foster a Positive Mindset
July is here! As Independence Day approaches it's nice to reflect on how fortunate I am to have been born in a country, which has granted...

Denise Shaw
2 min read


Cultivating Joy & Connection
February’s calendar published by Action for Happiness offers daily practices to cultivate and nurture friendships. For the time...

Denise Shaw
2 min read
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