Courtney will remain at IM=X Blue Bell through December, but come the New Year she’s making her new start. She promises to keep us up-to-date on her successful auditions, and even her forays onto the screen- she’s going to look for an agent to get her dancin’-self onto commercials, etc.

Congratulations, Courtney, and we wish you all the very best. Break a leg!

Read more here, and here.

 In other member news, Emily (new to IM=X , with a new 4-month-old at home, if you haven’t met her yet!) is the proud aunt of Miss California 2009. She will be taking a pilates break in the spring to cheer on her niece, Emma Baker, in the Miss Teen pagent in Las Vegas.

Read more here, and here.

Congratulations to Karyn and Emily!

A recent study in the American Journal of Epidemiology found that people who gain weight early in life may be at a greater risk for mobility problems later in life, compared to people with lower weights in their younger years.

The heavier a person is, the more stress their body undergoes to move that mass. A web of soft connective tissue called fascia provides support and protection all over your body. Lots of fascia is used to stabilize bodies with lots of mass, and this extra support can hinder joint mobility.

In addition to the obvious joints, like the shoulders, knees and hips, extra fascia can lessen the mobility of the vertebral joints (think low back and neck), as well as the feet and ankles.

At IM=X Pilates Blue Bell, we understand pilates doesn’t connect with everyone. However, encourage your friends and loved ones to do something, anything that gets them moving. We are happy to teach our fundamentals and stabilizing techniques to take back to gym, the street, the court, the course or anywhere else you get your daily activity.

This study was reported in the July-August 2009 IDEA Fitness Journal.

Surbhi’s family has been personally affected by leukemia, so this accomplishment has special meaning. Thanks to all IM=X Pilates Blue Bell members who supported her by donating to her carefully-decorated tissue box at the studio, and congratulations Surbhi! We hope you have a great walk.

• 5 minutes are given at the end of each class for those who want to take part in the challenge
• A LARGE chart on the studio wall lists exercises ranging from leg presses to pushups, and each repetition is worth small change, from $0.01 to $0.25
• Doing some extra moves earns the Breast Cancer Research Foundation donations!
• Set a personal goal for yourself- for example, how many pushups can you REALLY do??
• Get others to sponsor you- friends, family, coworker, employers can all pledge an amount towards your pain efforts
• Get competitive with other clients who are racking up the highest numbers for a good cause

Also returned this month is Breast Cancer apparel. Long sleeves, short sleeves, polos, tanks, hoodies, and other options are available with either the pink ribbon logo, or for the more outgoing, “boobies” across the chest! Each shirt says “Pilates for Pink at IM=X Blue Bell” on the back, and $5 will be donated to the BCRF for each purchase.

Finally, donation-based semi-private classes are also available for you and your friends. Pick a time, schedule with IM=X Pilates Blue Bell, and donate as much as you please to the studio’s Pilates for Pink efforts. This is a great way to support a friend battling cancer, to honor the memory of those taken by cancer, and to introduce your friends to IM=X Pilates Blue Bell. No experience is required, and the classes are limited to 4 participants each.

Visit the Online Schedule here and log in to choose your class times.

Vote NOW and show your support for IM=X Pilates Blue Bell! Time is running out- the polls close September 11, 2009. Only one vote per email address is permitted.