flexibility – Cheryl Ilov International

Fit Tip: Four on the Floor

Written by Cheryl on March 3, 2023. Posted in Fit Tips.

In my previous post I shared 3 simple fit tips which I believe are crucial to vibrant health, fitness, flexibility, and youthful vitality at every stage of life, but especially for the over fifty population. Or even for the younger populations who would like to prepare ahead. Which I personally think is a great idea. After all, you don’t wait to start saving for retirement until you turn fifty, so why wait to get a jump start on your long term fitness plan as well? Today I’m going to highlight my favorite fit tip, which is to get down on the floor (and back up again) every single day. Every time I share this tip with my clients or followers (after they gasp in horror), the inevitable follow up question is “What do I do when I’m down there?” That’s a great...

Functional Fitness Class

Written by Cheryl on May 27, 2022.

Functional Fitness Fusion

Written by Cheryl on March 23, 2022.

After testing the waters by teaching several in person workshops at Studio 3sixT, I have been invited to teach a weekly class. YAY! This weekly class is a combination of many movement modalities including Pilates, fit ball, gentle body sculpting, somatic awareness, barre work, therapeutic exercise, and Feldenkrais. The class is 55 minutes long and starts at 1:15. No previous experience is necessary and all levels are welcome. Please bring a yoga mat and a large towel. Have socks on hand, just in case we need to put them on our feet. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Weekly Functional Fitness Fusion Class

Written by Cheryl on March 8, 2022.

After testing the waters by teaching several in person workshops at Studio 3sixT, I have been invited to teach a weekly class. YAY! This class will be a combination of many movement modalities including Pilates, fit ball, gentle body sculpting, somatic awareness, barre work, therapeutic exercise, and Feldenkrais. The class is 55 minutes long and starts at 1:15. No previous experience is necessary and all levels are welcome. Please bring a yoga mat and a large towel. Have socks on hand, just in case we need to put them on our feet. Please contact me if you have any questions. Click here to register for class

Fit Ball Workshop

Written by Cheryl on January 2, 2022.

I am so excited to be teaching an in-person 90 minute workshop on January 16th at 1:30 at Studio 3SIXT on Colorado Blvd. Join us for this fun-filled and challenging workshop using an exercise ball to boost your fitness program for the New Year. Learn the basics of using a fit ball to balance your musculature, correct your alignment, challenge your core strength and stability, improve your posture, balance, flexibility, and even get an aerobic workout. Class size is limited, so if you would like to attend, please contact me for more information so you can rock your body and get on the ball!

Fit Tips to Help You Keep Moving

Written by Cheryl on August 24, 2020. Posted in Fit Tips.

During the past six months we have all been stuck at home during the worst pandemic the world had experienced in over 100 years. But, while we were sheltering in place to stay safe, most of us got little to no exercise. And even though the restrictions are being lifted, a lot of us are squeamish about going back to the gym or the yoga studio just yet. But here’s the good news–you don’t have to leave the house to stay on track with an exercise program. All you have to do is keep moving! Here are a few fit tips that you can easily do at home to help keep you fit, healthy, and back on track. 1). Get on the ball. If you don’t have one yet, get a large exercise ball. If you do have one, start using it. Just sitting and bouncing on the ball is a great way to improve your posture, balance,...

Ballet Is For Everybody, and Every Age

Written by Cheryl on August 20, 2019. Posted in Femininja Podcast.

Ballet is the motherload for health, fitness, strength, and flexibility. However, traditional belief is that ballet is only for children and aspiring young professionals. That simply isn’t true! Adults of every age (and any age) can enjoy the remarkable health benefits of ballet. Ballet is the ultimate fountain of youth, and you are never too old to start taking ballet classes. I know many adults who began their ballet training in their 50s, 60s, and even 70s. This Bonus Episode features professional ballet dancer, teacher, choreographer and all-around great guy, Radoslaw Kokoszka. He shares his remarkable story of becoming a professional ballet dancer as well as his personal philosophy of ballet and dance in general. His unique and gentle approach to teaching ballet to people of all ages...

Episode 12: The Magic of Healing Through Movement

Written by Cheryl on August 19, 2019. Posted in Femininja Podcast.

Movement is life, and movement can help you heal from pain, stress, anxiety, depression, and pretty much anything that is interfering with the quality of your life. On the other hand, we all have habits and patterns of moving that can create or add to our physical or emotional pain. Knowledge is power, and so is lifelong learning. Keeping an open mind and learning about alternative health practices gives you the power to take control of your body and puts you in charge of your health rather than relinquishing it to someone else. This episode outlines one of my favorite alternative modalities, one which I have studied extensively and eventually became certified in after four grueling years of study and training. However, it was well worth the time, money, and effort invested. Yes, it’s...

Episode 8: Nature’s Oil Can

Written by Cheryl on August 5, 2019. Posted in Femininja Podcast.

Do you ever feel like the Tin Man from the Wizard of Oz? Maybe you wake up every morning so stiff and inflexible that you wish you had your very own oil can and a team of friends to help you use it. Or, maybe you try stretching your tight muscles, only to feel even worse afterwards. Don’t feel like you’re alone. It happens to a lot of us, and there is a physiological reason for it. Martial artists manage to stay flexible during the course of their entire lifetime. They have to, if they want to continue to keep fighting the good fight. This episode highlights an ancient ninja secret which is a miracle of nature that is in each and every one of us. It will help you discover a new level of flexibility in your body, mind, and spirit. Download this episode to learn what it is and...

Time to Get On the Ball

Written by Cheryl on February 18, 2019. Posted in Fit Tips.

When I was in grade school, our teachers used to tell us to “get on the ball!” It was a metaphor for get to work, stop slacking, quit fooling around (and having fun). Basically, time to get serious and grow up. Sheesh! What a bunch of kill joys! But I sure wished that they meant it, literally. Because getting on the ball is a fantastic (and inexpensive) addition to any fitness program, or just simply to have some fun. In fact, it’s so much fun that you don’t feel like your doing any exercise at all. And, you can do it every day, all in the privacy of your own home. Just sitting on the ball for a few minutes each day can: 1). Improve posture, balance, core strength, and flexibility. 2). Increase blood flow, lymphatic flow, and environmental awareness. 3). Improve cognition,...

All of her experiences, training and practice contribute to a truly customized workout/core-strengthening program for each of her clients.
-Claudia D.
She not only helped alleviate the pain, she helped me regain flexibility and got me back on my center.
-Misti M-K
She gently guide you so that ultimately you understand your body better and are able to move with greater ease and less pain.
-Gwendolyn P.
Some of the numbness around my knees has subsided and I’ve regained some feeling as well as had deep joint pain reduction. Flexibility and overall strength has increased.
-Melinda C.
Her gentle, loving approach is just what my body needs to fully recover from a recent car accident. I leave each session with a slight tingling sensation and movement seems much more fluid.
-Shannon G
Cheryl’s background in physical therapy, dance, Pilates, Feldenkrais, and martial arts make her very capable of not only understanding movement but helping others achieve their goals!
-Sheila S.

Tag: flexibility