Gia Marakas is a Classically Trained Pilates Instructor
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Gia Marakas is a classically trained certified Pilates instructor; who earned a B.A. from Loyola Marymount University, while graduating Magna Cum Laude. At the tender age of four, Gia began her path of movement with ballet, modern dance and jazz. Gia’s unique upbringing also took her to the world of equestrian riding.
At the tender age of four, Gia began her path of movement with ballet, modern dance and jazz.
Currently Gia is utilizing her Pilates skills to guide celebrities, professional athletes, as well as dancers, to find a new range of motion throughout their chosen professions. Gia’s abilities and patience, keep her in high demand in the world of Pilates and physical fitness.
About Pilates Training
Mind/Body Conditioning
An artist paints with a palette of many colors, carefully choosing the right brush and applying practiced and deliberate strokes.
When you move you're choosing from a palette of many muscles -- choose the right muscle and you move with grace, balance, and energy. Using the wrong muscles wastes energy -- you become tired, stiff, and sore.
we forget which muscles we have, slowly training ourselves to use the wrong ones
As we grow up -- put on shoes, work almost exclusively from chairs, laze about the house -- we forget which muscles we have, slowly training ourselves to use the wrong ones; we forget the wide array available in our "muscle palette".
Pilates teaches our bodies to choose the right muscle for a given movement, making the move natural, with control and ease. It conditions the mind to condition the body.
Pilates Follow Six Key Principles
Centering
The Center is the focus of the Pilates method. It is our source of building our bodily foundation. Consider the Center as the continuous band front and back, between the bottom of your rib cage and the line across your hip bones.
Concentration
Pay attention. It is the mind, which builds the body. You need awareness so you can change.
Control
Control flows from concentration. Learn to be in control of every aspect of your movement.
Flow
Flow moves in harmony with control. Continuity of movement through good flow creates awareness to listen to your body and prevent injury.
Precision
Precise movements are the reward for concentration, control, and flow. Precision strengthens our awareness and soon each movement becomes second nature.
Breathing
Full inhaling and exhaling are fundamental to every exercise. Forced exhalation is the key to the next full inhalation.
