Issue link: http://www.wacmagazine.com/i/791562
MARCH / APRIL 2017 21 living fit nutrition / pilates You've probably seen and heard more about core workouts in the past five years than ever before. When we talk about the "core" of the human body, we're primarily talking about mus- cles located in the belly, back, hips, and chest. ese muscles support the integrity of our structure and keep us upright and ambulatory. When your core muscles work effectively, they keep your spine erect and your hipbones in neutral position. is reduces unnecessary pressure and strain and helps us in almost every aspect of our lives. Our core muscles also play a critical role B R I A N F R A N C I S ( 2 ) As you start your own garden, don't hold back. Follow your passion and your taste buds. Chances are you'll discover something wonderful while doing your mind and your body Holy basil Not to be confused with traditional sweet or Thai basil, holy basil can improve the im- mune system and inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria. It contains vitamins A and C, calcium, zinc, and iron. garlic This bulb is great for heart health and has many antibacterial and antifungal properties. rosemary A rich source of various minerals, it contains antioxidants that boost immune health. sage This plant has shown promising evidence to improve brain function and memory. Its medicinal use dates back at least two thousand years. peppermint This fragrant herb can soothe the stomach, reduce nausea and irritable bowel syndrome, and tastes great with tea and dessert. a lot of good. As for what to grow, here are some of the easiest herbs to cultivate in the Pacific Northwest, along with their nutritional benefits. Getting to the core issue Build strength from the center out with two new Pilates instructors in the important task of connecting our lower bodies to our upper bodies. Having a strong core can reduce or prevent back pain and improve sports performance. In other words, there's a reason so much attention is now given to core strength. Although there's no one right way to improve core perfor- mance, for many WAC members Pilates provides the perfect workout. In response to its growing popularity, we recently added two new Pilates professionals to our team. Danielle Ortiz and James Dorfer both teach mat classes and are also available for private and group studio sessions. Danielle Ortiz Danielle was a fitness and nutrition counselor in Las Vegas before moving to Seattle. Many members will recognize her from her time working in Torchy's restau- rant on the 2nd Floor. She was trained and certified at Metropolitan Pilates and enjoys working with prenatal clients and special populations. James Dorfer James is originally from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and has lived in New York and Los Angeles. Drawn to the practices of Pilates and Gy- rotonics, he pursued further certification from the Kane School in New York. He is also a massage therapist and kinesiology geek. He often incorporates his experience with Yamuna body rolling, Alexander Technique, and the Feldenkrais Method into his classes.