By Jae-Ha Kim
Chicago Sun-Times
August 26, 2001
Across the street from Dunkin’ Donuts and directly behind Popeyes Chicken, students faithfully gather at the Frog Temple to learn piloga from Randi Whitman. Whitman’s slim, toned body indicates that she hasn’t indulged in too many treats from either fast food joint.
The same can’t be said for the rest of us, who grunt along and try to mimick her graceful poses. Deceptively easy looking, piloga-a combo of yoga and pilates-utilizes resistance training to develop longer, leaner muscles. The maximum class size is eight students, so you couldn’t cheat yourself out of a good workout even if you wanted to.
Which means that after a one-hour session, you’re sweating, but feeling relaxed and, yes, even a little less stressed out.
”What’s missing in yoga is more movement based strength building, which pilates has tons of,” says Whitman. ”Yoga is more about balance, which pilates students aren’t used to. The combination challenges you in both directions-to hold a position and be in the movement. You challenge your body in a different way.”
