Community, Fitness, Exercise, Yoga, Pilates 

Who likes Yo-lates? 

Yo-lates class is for adults 18 and older who have an interest in yoga and Pilates. People who on the one hand enjoy pulsing exercises and getting their heart rates up, while on the other hand stretching and resting, will like Yo-lates. 

What is a Yo-lates class? 

Yo-lates is a fusion of yoga and Pilates. The class is designed to improve participants’ physical strength, flexibility, posture and even their mental awareness.  

Each class begins with a warmup, followed by 15 minutes of abs work. Next a certified group instructor will lead the class through intentional strengthening and stretching exercises. Similar to Pilates, the first movements focus on different muscle groups one at a time, such as the legs, glutes, arms and back. The instructor incorporates the use of many types of gym equipment to make the class interesting and challenging. Get ready to use Bosu balls, mini balls, mats, hand weights and exercise bands. Equipment is provided by WK Fitness & Wellness Centers and it will be ready when you arrive. 

The class finishes with more yoga-like exercises that include more stretch-like movements, or asanas. Examples are the well-known up dog and down dog, which help strengthen muscles that support your spine. Muscles that are not strong and lubricated can become compressed, which leads to pain. Curving your back in and out, concave to convex positions, helps keep your spine flexible so it can support your body.  

Other movements the instructor leads are chest lifts with rotation, single leg stretches and all fours. The instructor motivates you when it gets tough and teaches you how to meet your fitness goals. 

A wide variety of exercises in this class help improve your balance, strength and flexibility. You also build community with your class peers. 

When and where does the Yo-lates class meet? 

Classes are held in the aerobics studios at a WK Fitness & Wellness Center. Look for the current day and time in the online interactive class schedule. This class meets for 50 minutes.  

Why do Yo-lates? 

Yo-lates helps you maintain flexibility and strength throughout your lifetime. It benefits your body’s musculoskeletal system with flexibility, balancing, weight-bearing exercises and more. Class exercises strengthen your muscles to support the bones, which may become more susceptible to osteoporosis as you get older.  

Your core, which includes your abdominal area and your spinal area, benefit greatly from Yo-lates. This makes the class extremely beneficial for people who suffer lower back pain. Other areas of your body that Yo-lates strengthens and tones are your legs, especially your upper thighs, and your buttocks. Because Yo-lates keeps the joints flexible and strengthens the thigh muscles, this class may be particularly useful for the prevention of arthritis and knee injuries. Overall, people who want a good workout while preventing the painful effects of aging will enjoy Yo-lates.