Alex Kelly-Maartens instructs a class called PITAIYO at American Family Fitness in Spotsylvania County. The class, which she designed, incorporates Pilates, yoga, and tai chi to give students an energizing hourlong workout. photos by SUZANNE CARR ROSSI/THE FREE LANCE-STAR View More Images from this story Visit the Photo Place

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Strength, spirit boosted in class

Exercise class blends pilates, yoga and tai chi

Date published: 8/12/2007

BY REBECCA BLATT

I have to admit I was skeptical about taking Alex Kelly-Maartens' PITAIYO exercise class recently.

The class, held at American Family Fitness in Spotsylvania County, combines Pilates, tai chi and yoga, though the acronym also stands for Put It Together All In Your Orbit.

I have taken yoga classes for four years, and I tend to be a purist when it comes to the practice.

I'm familiar with the strength, flexibility and relaxation that come from yoga, and I was not sure what Pilates and tai chi could add to the mix.

But by the time the first bead of sweat dropped from my brow to my mat midway through the class, I was convinced.

PITAIYO combines the graceful, dance-like movements of tai chi, the core strengthening of Pilates and the flexibility of yoga into a single class that could challenge and relax any student.

"Typically when people come to the gym to exercise, they have one hour," explained Kelly-Maartens, instructor and creator of PITAIYO. "I wanted to jam pack that one hour full of three disciplines versus taking three days to get what you can get from one class."

Since designing PITAIYO in 2006, Kelly-Maartens has managed to do exactly that.

The class I attended began with gentle relaxation as students lay along mats, eyes closed. Kelly-Maartens then led us through a series of poses designed to strengthen and stretch each muscle.

Kelly-Maartens linked each posture to the next through breath and movement, and the class ended with Pilates-style abdominal work before one final moment of relaxation.

It was enough to work up a light sweat, though not enough to get my heart pumping like running or an aerobics class might.

Kelly-Maartens walks students through four variations of each pose, so students can tailor the class to any fitness level.

She integrates a spiritual dimension into PITAIYO as well. She studies Taoism and Buddhism, and she incorporates wisdom from both traditions into each class.

The night I attended, Kelly-Maartens left students with this thought: The only thing holding you back is you.

"I know when I take a class it's always good to be reminded of the power each one of us possesses," she explained.

Call American Family Fitness at 540/898-6111 or visit amfamfit.com or pitaiyo.com. WORKOUTS: This story is part of an occasional series of stories on ways to get fit in the Fredericksburg area.

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Date published: 8/12/2007