Why Winter Is the Perfect Time to Start (or Restart) Pilates in Westport, CT

As the days get shorter and the temperatures drop, our bodies naturally become tighter, slower, and less motivated to move. Winter is when many people feel lower energy, more stiffness—especially in the spine and hips—and a general sense of “heaviness.”
This is exactly why winter is one of the best seasons to begin, return to, or deepen your Pilates practice.

At Jennifer Pollack Pilates in Westport, CT, I work privately with each client to restore alignment, strengthen the core, and improve circulation—all things the body craves during the colder months.

1. Winter Creates Stiffness—Pilates Restores Warmth and Mobility

Cold weather causes muscles to contract and joints to feel compressed. This is why so many people notice:

• tight hip flexors

• stiff lower backs

• hunched shoulders

• slower circulation

• more fatigue

Classical Pilates is a whole-body system that warms the body from the inside out, creating heat through breath, core activation, and dynamic movement. Even beginners feel more open and energized after just one session.

2. Pilates Helps Counteract Seasonal Fatigue

Shorter daylight hours and more time indoors can affect mood and energy levels.
Pilates helps by:

• improving circulation

• stimulating breath

• strengthening the deep core

• supporting posture (which affects energy!)

• boosting mental focus

Many clients tell me they feel both calmer and more energized after their sessions—especially during the winter months.

3. It’s the Ideal Time to Build Strength Before Spring

Winter is a natural “reset” moment. Starting Pilates now helps you build:

• foundational core strength

• better alignment

• flexibility

• balanced musculature

• injury-resistant movement patterns

By spring, you feel lighter, stronger, and better prepared for an active season.

4. Private Pilates Allows You to Start Exactly at Your Level

Whether you’re recovering from an injury, returning after time away, or curious about beginning Pilates for the first time, private sessions allow me to tailor your work to your body’s needs.

My Westport studio features classical Gratz equipment including the Reformer, Tower, Wunda Chair, and Ladder Barrel—each designed to support precision, control, and safe progression.

5. Winter Self-Care Isn’t a Luxury—It’s a Necessity

This is the season when our bodies need the most mindful movement.
A weekly or twice-weekly Pilates practice can help:

• ease joint stiffness

• improve sleep

• reduce travel tightness (holiday flights take a toll!)

• support mental clarity

• reduce back or hip pain

• improve circulation and posture

Even one session a week can make a meaningful difference in how you feel all season long.

Ready to Start?

I offer:
✓ Private 1:1 Pilates sessions on classical equipment
✓ Intro 3-session package for new clients
✓ A calm, supportive environment in Saugatuck / Westport, CT

To book your first session, visit JenniferPollackPilates.com or send me a message—I'd love to help you feel strong, aligned, and energized this winter. Schedule a session

🧘‍♀️ How Pilates Strengthens Your Core and Improves Posture

At Jennifer Pollack Pilates in Westport, CT, every session is designed to strengthen your core — the powerhouse of your body. Pilates isn’t just about doing “ab work.” It’s a full-body system that connects your breath, alignment, and deep stabilizing muscles to create lasting strength from the inside out.

1. Pilates Builds Deep Core Stability

Unlike traditional crunches that focus on surface muscles, Classical Pilates strengthens the deeper layers — the transversus abdominis, pelvic floor, and multifidus — which support your spine and pelvis. These are the muscles that keep your body stable and balanced in daily life.

2. Pilates Improves Postural Alignment

Through mindful movement and control, Pilates helps retrain your posture. You’ll learn how to lift through your center, lengthen the spine, and move with symmetry. Over time, this awareness reduces tension in the neck, shoulders, and lower back — a common issue for anyone sitting at a desk or driving.

3. Pilates Connects Strength With Breath

Your breath fuels every exercise. When you breathe laterally (into the ribs), your core muscles naturally engage. This connection between movement and breath builds endurance, reduces stress, and supports a strong, supple spine.

4. Personalized Core Work for Every Body

Whether you’re in a Private Pilates session or a Reformer Pilates class, exercises are tailored to your needs. Some clients focus on stability after injury; others want to enhance athletic performance. Each session is a mindful progression toward balance and strength — no wasted motion.

5. Lasting Benefits Beyond the Studio

A stronger core means better movement in everyday life — lifting groceries, climbing stairs, or even standing taller. Clients at Jennifer Pollack Pilates in Westport often notice improved confidence, balance, and energy within just a few sessions.

TEASER ON THE MAT

Woman performing the Pilates Teaser on a mat at Jennifer Pollack Pilates in Westport, CT — balancing on sit bones with legs lifted and arms reaching toward feet, demonstrating core strength and control.”

Why Choose a Private Pilates Session in Westport, CT?

When you search Pilates Westport CT or Pilates Westport, you’ll see plenty of group mat classes. While mat work is a great introduction, private Pilates sessions offer unique benefits that help you progress faster, move more safely, and truly understand the Pilates method.

1. Individual Attention

In a private session, every cue and correction is tailored to you. This means safer movement, faster learning, and support for injuries or post-rehab needs.

2. Access to Classical Apparatus

Unlike mat classes, private sessions in my Westport studio use the Reformer, Tower, and Wunda Chair. These classical Pilates tools create resistance and support, helping you strengthen and align more effectively.

3. Faster Progress & Flexibility

Private instruction adapts to your goals—whether it’s posture, pain relief, or athletic performance. Sessions are also scheduled at times that work best for you, not a fixed class calendar.

Why Work With Jennifer Pollack Pilates?

As a classically trained instructor with 25+ years in movement education, I teach Pilates as Joseph Pilates intended: precise, systematic, and transformative.

📍 Jennifer Pollack Pilates, 25 Sylvan Rd S, Westport, CT
📞 203-841-6171 | 🌐 jenniferpollackpilates.com

Pilates vs. Yoga: What’s the difference?

Pilates and yoga are often mentioned in the same breath, and for good reason. Both are mind–body practices that focus on strength, flexibility, breath, and alignment. But while they share some similarities, each discipline has its own unique history, purpose, and approach. Understanding these differences can help you decide which is right for you—or how to combine them for the best results.

Origins and Philosophy

• Yoga
  Yoga originated in India over 5,000 years ago as a spiritual practice. Rooted in philosophy, meditation, and breathwork, yoga was designed to unite body, mind, and spirit. Today’s yoga classes vary widely—from gentle restorative yoga to vigorous power yoga—but the common thread is the connection of breath with movement and an emphasis on mindfulness.

• Pilates
  Pilates is much more recent. Developed in the early 20th century by Joseph Pilates, it was originally called Contrology. His method focused on strengthening the body, correcting posture, and rehabilitating injuries. Pilates is exercise-first, designed to create efficient, balanced movement through core strength, alignment, and precision.

Movement Style

• Yoga
  A yoga class typically includes flowing sequences or held postures, often designed to open, stretch, and calm the body. Breath guides the pace, and poses may be linked together in a meditative rhythm.

• Pilates
  Pilates exercises are structured with deliberate precision. Each movement begins with the core—what Pilates called the “powerhouse.” Whether on the mat or specialized equipment like the Reformer and Tower, Pilates emphasizes stability, control, and efficient muscle engagement.

Breathwork

• Yoga
  In yoga, breath is central. Practices like pranayama (breath control) are used to calm, energize, or balance the body and mind. Breath often moves in harmony with postures.

• Pilates
  Pilates uses lateral ribcage breathing. The focus is on expanding the lungs side-to-side while keeping the core engaged. This creates space in the body, supports deep abdominal activation, and helps coordinate movement.

Benefits

• Yoga

  • Improves flexibility and balance

  • Encourages stress relief and relaxation

  • Builds mindfulness and mental clarity

• Pilates

  • Builds core strength and postural alignment

  • Improves movement efficiency and body awareness

  • Supports injury prevention and rehabilitation

Do You Have to Choose?

The beauty is—you don’t! Yoga and Pilates complement each other beautifully. Yoga can enhance flexibility, relaxation, and mindfulness, while Pilates strengthens your core, corrects posture, and refines movement. Many people find that blending both creates a balanced routine for body and mind.

✅ If you’re in Westport, CT, you can explore classical Pilates training at Jennifer Pollack Pilates. Whether you’re new to movement or an experienced practitioner, Pilates will give you strength and alignment that enhances not only your yoga practice, but all of life’s daily activities.