Jonathan Urla, MFA – Women's Voices For Change

Jonathan Urla, MFA ACE Certified Medical Exercise Specialist, and fully certified Pilates Instructor, has been teaching, writing, and presenting about exercise, nutrition, and wellness for over 30 years. A former professional dancer, Jonathan created his own methodology called Yogilates(R), an integrative system of mind-body exercise in 1997, and his book - Yogilates - Integrating Yoga and Pilates for Complete Fitness, Strength, and Flexibility was published by Harper Collins in 2002. He has appeared as a fitness and lifestyle expert on ABC News, CNN, CBS, and Discovery Health Network, and his work has been featured in the New York Times, Newsweek, Shape, Vogue, Self, Fitness, YogaJournal, Pilates Style, Elle, Allure. He also has produced over ten Yogilates, and Pilates based workout videos, and maintains a website a blog at www.yogilates.com. He is currently working on another book on how to achieve ideal health through mindful living and a fit and balanced lifestyle.

Fitness · Health

Shoulder Exercises: Key To Shoulder Injury Prevention

By Jonathan Urla, MFA

Today, Jonathan Urla, a member of our Medical Advisory Board, teaches us the fundamental shoulder exercises that can prevent many shoulder injuries.

Fitness

7 Easy Ways to Boost Self-Confidence

By Jonathan Urla, MFA

A study on the effect of exercise and body-image found that the simple act of exercise was enough to boost body-image and self-esteem.

Fitness

Fitness Saturday: Exercise in Silence, Hear More

By Jonathan Urla, MFA

Most of us are inundated with sights and sounds all day long, our minds distracted from being plugged in most of the time. Exercising in silence is a chance to unplug completely, quiet the mind, and listen to the body.

Fitness · Health

Perform Better Physically and Mentally with One Simple Trick

By Jonathan Urla, MFA

It helps to breathe and slow down, which is another way to get yourself to focus better, worry less, and control what you’re doing.

Fitness

Are You (and Your Shoes) Ready to Rock? A Primer on Fitness Walking

By Jonathan Urla, MFA

Jonathan Urla walks us through "fitness walking" and shares tips on the proper shoe gear.

Fitness

Be Light On Your Feet – A Great Way to Start the New Year

By Jonathan Urla, MFA

A person who is “light on her feet” isn’t necessarily fast moving, but can change directions quickly and float across a room without effort.

Fitness

Beat Winter Blues with Smart Gear

By Jonathan Urla, MFA

What if you hate the cold? Today’s exercise clothing manufacturers have designed high-tech gear to keep the cold and sweat away, and make you look great.

Fitness

The Power of Routine—From Effort to Lifestyle Habit

By Jonathan Urla, MFA

Surefire ways to make exercise a regular part of your lifestyle — even as we embark on a frenzied holiday season.

Fitness

Back to Basics — Master 3 Exercises for Functional Strength

By Jonathan Urla, MFA

The best way to begin a serious fitness program is to get back to basics when it comes to strength training.

Fitness

Keeping Your Neck Fit and Happy — Remedies For Neck Pain

By Jonathan Urla, MFA

Many people experience pain in their neck that often shoots down into the shoulders and arms. Today, I’d like to share five specific things to help avoid and ease neck pain.

Fitness

Energize Your Legs with Plyo Exercises

By Jonathan Urla, MFA

To help bring some energy back into your legs, you could try doing some plyometric exercises (plyo for short), which simply are exercises that include some jumping off the floor.

Fitness · Health

‘Tech Neck,’ Premature Aging, and Poor Posture — A 21st Century Problem

By Jonathan Urla, MFA

More people are coming into doctor’s offices complaining of neck pain or associated shoulder and lower back pain. Often, it stems from their habits of looking down at their mobile phones and computer screens, a problem coined as ‘tech neck.’

Fitness · Health

Fitness Saturday: Two Ways to Stretch the Large Muscles of the Legs

By Jonathan Urla, MFA

This is another post in our series of Fitness Saturday exercises, workouts, and expert tips appropriate to women in the second half of life. Jonathan Urla, health and fitness specialist, shares two ways to stretch the large muscles of the legs.

Fitness

The Real Value of Exercise (In the News)

By Jonathan Urla, MFA

Jonathan Urla, a certified advanced health and fitness specialist, shares highlights from a recent study on the value of exercise.

Fitness · Health

Fitness Saturday: Measure the Moment — It’s All Good!

By Jonathan Urla, MFA

Life is full of wonderful opportunities to move and be active. Let's look at some common activities that can easily be turned into exercise, and you don’t need to be wearing your gym clothes to do them, although do wear your workout sneakers if you can.