Midwest Dharma Wheel
Contemplative & Healing Arts
Āyurveda | Movement | Meditation | Jungian Contemplative Self-Study | Yoga & Pilates
(402) 477-5101
Pilates & Therapeutic Movement
Individualized Integration Through Movement~ Finding the Ultimate Body-Mind Connection
What is Pilates?
Developed over 90 years ago by Joseph H. Pilates, the Pilates Method of movement is a unique system of stretching, strengthening, whole-body movement, and breath. Pilates work is done on the floor on a mat or on specialized equipment, involving the whole body working together rather than just one part or muscle group at a time. Working with spring resistance and pulleys, the exercises progress in a specific sequence to integrate more excellent movement skills, resulting in a more fully integrated body, mind, breath, and energy. This work not only addresses the physical body but also the subtle energetic body. With a deeper working knowledge of this aspect of our being, one can address the coordination of the more subtle Pranic energy and breath dimension of our being. This leads to greater efficiency and integration.
The Pilates exercises and method of integration balance strength, flexibility, and stability, and support the development of long, lean muscle tone, as well as improving both balance and coordination skills. This method increases body awareness, promotes greater efficiency, and creates new pathways for better body mechanics and posture. Both the mat work exercises and equipment use will increase circulation, calm the nervous system, and tone the organs, increasing overall health and a sense of well-being. Pilates is excellent for re-patterning injurious habits and chronic pain, injury prevention, and neuro-muscular education. Pilates is an excellent complement to sports. It strengthens hips, knees, and ankles for running, improves your golf swing, and enhances performance and stamina for all physical activity. It is important to have a well-qualified instructor.
Our Pilates Studio
Our first studio was originally founded when we lived in NYC. We opened in 1998 as NoHo Pilates Studio in downtown Manhattan, where it still thrives today. In 2002, Cary and Lee moved back home to Lincoln and opened Haymarket Studio, where they taught for 18 years before opening Midwest Dharma Wheel. Here at MDW, we offer a full-service Pilates studio, which nurtures a broad base and age of clients in the Pilates method for general conditioning, for performance-
specific training, injury prevention, and movement re-patterning. New clients, regardless of prior training, begin with an introductory evaluation session. Goals and an individualized program are established after this session. The program is updated as the client’s needs and skill level change. Training begins with one-on-one instruction from the teacher until the client is relatively independent. At the teacher's discretion, the client can progress to duet and semi-private sessions while maintaining his/her individualized program. Our referrals come from clients, doctors, yoga teachers, physical and massage therapists, and other studios. The intake process may indicate the need for a medical diagnosis or a doctor’s consent to establish safe parameters to begin training.
Cary and Lee are both third-generation Pilates teachers. They were trained by the elders of this method and prefer to hold the original intentions and gifts of this method. In this way, they prefer not to hold sessions in which several people are lined up on the Pilates Reformer or other Pilates equipment and are given group classes. Although this gives a general workout, holding sessions in that way remains superficial and dilutes the original intention of the Pilates work. It also sets people up for possible injury in doing exercises they may not be prepared to do. What makes working on the Pilates equipment so special is that each person can be given individualized training and the full attention of the teacher. Individualized movement sessions that address each person's specific needs go much deeper, and the results are far greater than one can achieve in a group setting. Although you will find group Reformer classes offered in gyms and some Pilates studios, we prefer to maintain the original approach of providing the individual with a deeper, more personal experience.
Weekly Group Pilates Mat Classes
We also offer ongoing weekly Pilates Mat classes. These are open-level classes and are centered around whoever is in the class that day. Everyone is welcome to attend as long as you do not have any physical injuries or needs that require one-to-one special attention. Your safety and well-being are important to us. In these cases, we will recommend that you come in for a private session or a series of private sessions to accommodate your personal needs and physical situation.
Our mat classes offer integrated strength training, joint range of motion, safe stretching, alignment awareness, dynamic posture exploration, anatomical knowledge, and movement efficiency training. At times, we include Theraband work as shown here. We also teach self-care through movement and will draw on our training in other methodologies such as Kinesiology, Laban, or Bartineff Fundamentals. Our teachers have sound and seasoned training in anatomy and injury prevention.
Pilates Mat Class Schedule:
Tuesdays 6-7:15 PM CT Pilates Mat, Open Level
Fridays Noon-1 PM CT Lunch Hour Pilates, Open Level
Mats and props are provided
Single Class Drop-In $15
10 Class Card* $105
5 Class Card* $65
Visit the Yoga Page to view our weekly online Yoga class schedule.
*Class cards are valid for all group classes*
All Class cards are valid for three months after purchase, after three months they will expire.
Class cards are non-refundable.
Pilates Mat Class
Pilates with us Can Include:
Rates Available Upon Request
Privates with a weekly attendance commitment, or as possible for you.
Semi-Private Sessions with the instructor's approval & a weekly attendance commitment.
Whole Movement Recovery - Prices will vary depending upon the time & frequency of sessions.
Our Weekly Group Classes On-Site & On Zoom -Class cards available for purchase on our online Shop.
Private Group Classes: Pricing will be based on group size.
Travel to your location- Prices will vary depending on your location & travel time.
Host a Pilates Workshop-Prices determined according to the size of the group & location.
Please note our 24-hour cancellation policy. All appointments will be charged in full for cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before your scheduled appointment time.
