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Strength, spirit boosted in class

August 12, 2007 12:35 am

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.

Lisa Spurlock, a Spotsylvania nurse who frequents Kelly-Maartens' class, said that the inspirational tidbits help her relax and stay positive inside and outside of the gym.

"It's not only good for the body, but it's good for the mind and spirit," she said.

Spurlock was not the only one to rave about the class. Kelly-Maartens has developed a group of devoted students who praise her positive energy and the practice she has developed.

Terresa Buelow said she began taking PITAIYO in February and has rearranged her schedule so that she does not miss a class. She said she enjoys the physical challenge and the emotional edge she feels she gets out of it.

"I walk out of here, and I really do feel like I could conquer the world," Buelow said.

Jill Medina attended her second class the night I visited. She said Kelly-Maartens made the transition into the practice fun and easy.

"If you're not doing something right, she's more than willing to come over and help you," she said. "Just being able to release tension and stretch your muscles helps you relax."

Kelly-Maartens currently teaches her class in Spotsylvania, while her partner teaches PITAIYO in Richmond. But Kelly-Maartens said that she hopes to train additional teachers in the next several months so that more students can enjoy the benefits of the practice.

"I want PITAIYO to be a household name because it's a practice that everyone needs in one way or another," she said.