2010 Pilates Calendar Review

By Kerrie Ann Frey

Rarely do I read something that perfectly reflects its title. “Spontaneous Zest & Pleasure – A 2010 Pilates Calendar” describes outright the quirky vibrancy of both Alyce Morgan Wise, one of the calendar’s creators, and New Orleans, the city in which the calendar was photographed.

The creation of Pilates instructor and owner of a certifying studio for PhysicalMind Institute, Alyce Morgan Wise and documentary photographer Dallas McNamara, “Spontaneous Zest & Pleasure” is twelve months of funky and creative Pilates fun, New Orleans-style. Each month finds Wise in costume performing a different Pilates Mat exercise that reflects the environment she’s photographed in. “Climb a Tree” is shot beautifully against one of the city’s oldest Live Oak Trees. Work boots and coveralls are the attire for “The Saw”, photographed in Musicians’ Village, a community in the Upper Ninth Ward being rebuilt after Hurricane Katrina. The clever take on Pilates exercises thoughtfully highlights the city as well as its history and universal appeal.

The months begin with a quotation that encompasses their themes. While national holidays are designated, so are local New Orleans celebrations. Readers will learn about 12th Night, the day New Orleanians begin buying King Cakes and can mark the start of the Creole Tomato Festival in June. As a resident of the city, I can attest to the number of festivals, parties and pre-parties we partake in. Now everyone will experience the joie de vivre with which New Orleanians live, even if he can’t make it for Jazz Fest, Mardi Gras, French Quarter Fest, Satchmo Summer Festival, or …
The calendar also features mini-history and cultural lessons about the city that correspond to the month’s theme. It’s a thoughtful choreography of information and pictures. By the time the reader gets to the end of the year, it would be nearly impossible not to be in love with the elegant decadence that is New Orleans.

There is enough appealing information in the calendar that even those without any relation to or interest in the area or Pilates would still enjoy it. Method aficionados everywhere will revel in the graceful form Wise creates in her Pilates poses, even while in bowling shoes.  Additionally, a percentage of the calendar’s sales goes towards the nonprofit Gulf Restoration Network. The organization works to protect and restore the resources of the Gulf of Mexico, particularly the wetlands and barrier island protection. Wise and McNamara also provide non-profit resources related to the Gulf Region.

PROS
The calendar doesn’t try to teach how to perform an exercise with a drab background. Rather, what we get is what Dallas and Alyce call “a fun, funky and bonafide calendar that connects with the soul of the city.”

Spontaneous Zest & Pleasure lets people in on the enjoyable world of Pilates that occasionally is overlooked in the pursuit of controlled “Teaser” perfection. March’s ode to “Plank” pose replete with a Pirate’s costume is case in point.

Printed on heavy, high-quality paper, the calendar will still be usable come October, after many months of being manhandled and admired.

CONS
Some readers may not relate immediately to the pictures and references if they aren’t acquainted with New Orleans. However, a quick Google of the city should rectify that.

There are only twelve months! I wished the pictorials could go on.

The calendar runs $15.00. The more calendars bought, the lower the price.

To purchase this calendar for yourself or as a great Christmas idea, visit www.spontaneous-zest.com .

Tags: Alyce Wise, Kerrie Ann Frey, PhysicalMind Institute, Spontaneous Zest & Pleasure