Upper Westside Atlanta Magazine

Movement is Medicine

The Bridge Between Yoga, Pilates & Jane Fonda

Summer 2026

By Christine Cown

Jane Fonda’s record spun as my mom counted 1-2-3-4, knees kicking high as she stepped up and down onto her plastic adjustable bench. As the daughter of an aerobics instructor, I had listened to her lead group fitness classes throughout my childhood. Waiting impatiently in the mostly empty basketball court in my small hometown in Georgia, the fitness room was located on the second floor with nothing but a banister of separation. You could hear the crackle of her headset mic, as she shouted the rehearsed steps and the occasional, “Woo!” above the upbeat music blaring from the boombox. When the sound quieted, I knew the class was winding down with a few sets of “bridge lifts” and of course, Fonda’s famous “clam shells”.

Thirty years later, now a yoga studio owner and teacher myself, I lead students into many different postures or “asanas” in the yogic tradition. Yoga has been a personal practice for 20 years, offering both physical and mental benefits.

Movement, breath work and meditation have kept me motivated to continue into my 40’s, in the same way my mother has continued cardio into her 70’s. Just as she did at the end of her classes, I invite my yoga students to lie on their mats and lift their hips into Setu Bandha Sarvangasana, which translates from Sanskrit into “Bridge Pose.”

With the resurgence of Pilates classes on fitness schedules throughout Atlanta and new studios popping up around the Upper Westside, I decided to take a Mat Pilates class to see what the hype was all about. When the instructor led us to take the same shape, calling it a “Pilates Bridge,” I began to wonder why all of these different forms of exercise share a few familiar poses. In the process, I have learned the simple act of lifting your hips above your heart has the benefits of building muscle, promoting flexibility, relieving pain, encouraging digestion and calming the nervous system.

While cardio fitness, yoga and Pilates are all very unique offerings; each can lend its own mind-body connection to meet you where you are on the wellness journey. Movement is medicine. Whether it’s taking a walk at the nearest park, signing up for a local gym that offers group classes or checking out the neighborhood yoga or Pilates studio, exercise will allow your body to thrive through all seasons. So, whether you choose to walk across a bridge or shape your body like one, I hope it allows you to find what feels good for you.//

Simple Practices to Bring Calm to the Chaos

April 2026

By Christine Cown

Whether you work a traditional 9am-5pm, are a stay at home parent, or have flexible hours; many of us experience the tension of everyday life. Atlanta traffic, the bombardment of our news or even social events can lead to stress in the body. While going to your local yoga studio or workout facility can provide an outlet to relieve anxiety, many of us still struggle with how to bring a sense of calm into our homes once we leave our work day behind. Thankfully, there are a few simple practices that can bring zen to the mind and body with just a few moments of intention. Our bodies are wired to move toward familiar chaos, but with these simple tools, we can enjoy unfamiliar peace.

Meditation can be an easy entry point into becoming aware of our thoughts, feelings and sensations that allow you to slow down and reduce stress. While there are many apps that can guide you through meditations, no technology is necessary to begin. Upon waking, instead of reaching for your phone, try sitting up in bed either with crossed legs or with your feet firmly set on the floor. Close your eyes. Then, begin by taking 5-10 deep breaths. Without judgement, notice any thought or emotion. It may help to begin by scanning your body for tension or tightness. This awareness can lead to deeper connections both in the mind and body, which will allow you to move through your day with clarity and greater focus. Like anything else, meditation is a practice. I encourage you to begin with 3 minutes, then move up gradually. If it helps, you can even set a timer!

Another quick stress reliever that you can harness any time during your day is breath focus. When we become stressed or angered, our breath becomes shallow. Learning how to deepen the exhalation, especially during moments of agitation, activates the parasympathetic nervous system. Essentially, a long inhalation followed by an even longer exhalation tells your body that you are safe. This can return your body back to a state of regulation so that you can truly “breathe easy.” Next time you start to feel your chest tighten, try pausing to focus on the breath. You may try a technique called 4-7-8 breathing. This technique works by inhaling for 4 counts, holding at the top of your inhalation for 7 counts, and then slowly releasing the air for 8 full counts.

Lastly, gentle movement of any kind can help to release chemicals to the brain that will contribute to your overall sense of calm.Whether it is a daily walk around the neighborhood, stretching before bed or a few rounds of cat/cow yoga poses at your desk, you will notice a difference almost immediately! //

MEET GO-TO NEIGHBOR EXPERT

Christine Cown

Movement is Medicine

The Bridge Between Yoga, Pilates & Jane Fonda

Simple Practices to Bring Calm to the Chaos

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