Shape and Elongate Your Arms with Tasha Franken
- lblomquist
- Nov 30, 2020
- 3 min read
Looking for a feel-good, low-impact pilates class that strengthens and lengthens in all of the right places without putting a dent in your wallet? Tasha Franken is your girl.
As a fashion model, certified health coach, pilates instructor and wellness enthusiast who has a promising presence on YouTube and Instagram, Tasha shares at-home pilates workouts that create toned muscles without bulk, inflammation or spiked cortisol levels. Tasha shares free pilates workouts on her IGTV and YouTube channel to help individuals achieve a balanced lifestyle, so they can feel good in their own skin and reach their potential.
Her calming presence, knowledge about the body and approach to fitness create such a rejuvenating workout experience for both the mind and the body.
After scrolling through the plethora of workouts posted to her IGTV, I decided to try her 25-minute pilates workout that targets the arms and back. The workout doesn’t require any additional equipment, but Tasha suggests using light hand weights or cuffing ankle weights around your wrists for an extra burn.
After grabbing a pair of 3-pound dumbbells and rolling out my yoga mat, I followed Tasha’s lead. She started the class by guiding her viewers through a few yoga poses and stretches to loosen the muscles and limbs. Flowing through the sequence allowed me to connect my breath to my body, so I felt grounded and refreshed. I appreciated how Tasha approached the workout with a mindful component through restorative poses.
Next, we moved on to a series of bodyweight movements in the plank position. We focused on slow and controlled movements while holding the position for a long period of time, so I could really focus on the mind-body connection rather than rushing through the motions and feeling the stress creep in. My abs and arms were seriously burning!
Just when I thought my muscles couldn’t take it any more, I grabbed my weights and powered through. We completed several exercises in a side plank position and then moved onto the stomach for a series of swimmer variations and movements that targeted the back muscles. Next up was an innovative approach to the classic pushup, which kept things fun and interesting.
For the last 10 minutes, we did weighted arm workouts without a single break in between. I kept my arms lifted the entire time, and by the end of the workout, my back and shoulders were on fire. You didn’t even need to use additional equipment to feel the burn.
After releasing the weights and letting sweet relief wash over me, I felt accomplished, strong and empowered. I seemed to stand taller and sit up straighter after this elongating class.
The workout was incredibly effective because it targeted those hard-to-reach muscles through precise movements and a manageable pace that didn’t trigger stress or anxiety like some high-impact, high-intensity workouts tend to do. Tasha’s class emphasized letting your breath guide you through the moves, so I felt motivated to hold positions for a longer period of time without tiring easily or wanting to give up. I felt in touch with my body and present in the movements, so I got so much more out of the workout than simply breaking a sweat.
With the unlimited amount of sustainable, rejuvenating workouts to choose from on Tasha's social media profiles, I highly recommend looking into them!
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