Month: September 2026

Karen Rico – Le Bureau’s client spotlight of the month Embracing Change and Positivity in Seattle

by lebureauetc, posted in Pilates, YOGA, client spotlight

Discover Karen’s inspiring journey from professional athlete to devoted mom, showcasing resilience and positivity during life’s challenges.

I met Karen in 2023 at LA Fitness in Seattle.  She would frequent my weekly yoga and mat Pilates classes I taught there.  Karen stood out to me right away.  She is someone that just exudes inner beauty with her kindness towards others, her contagious smile, and uplifting positive energy.  I always looked forward, and still do, look forward to seeing her in class!

Karen has had a lot of change over the past several years!  I met her in a pivotal time of her life not to mention it had just been Covid where borders were closed and she was obliged to stay in Seattle!    When I met her I learned that she had been a professional Ultimate Freesbie player for Colombia but suffered a knee injury requiring ACL and meniscus repair, and was in route to business school in Canada but was was unable to attend University due to borders being closed at that time.  Karens ability to stay positive and focus on opportunities instead of what could have been is inspiring and uplifting!   Thank you karen for sharing your positive energy and ‘go get em attitude’ with me and everyone you meet!

Karen is now living in Seattle indefinately, as she found love, got married, and became a mom!  She has 3 stepsons and Mille who is almost 2!  When she is not at Le Bureau she enjoys practicing and watching sports, reading and watching true stories, and of corse being a mom!:)

“I met Brooke over three years ago when I was recovering from a knee surgery. Under Brooke’s guidance in both yoga and Pilates, I have grown physically, mentally, and spiritually. She has the unique ability to connect with everyone in the class, to meet each person where they are at, and create a safe space for everyone to meet their potential. Every class I can attend presents me different challenges with an emphasis on breathing, stretching, and the interconnectivity of the entire body to create body and mind harmony and balance. Instead of feeling drained at the end, I always leave feeling refreshed, thinking how to improve and how I can be a better version of myself.” 

-Karen

Essential Warm-Ups before you practice Pilates

by lebureauetc, posted in breathing, Pilates

Join my Pilates class to master the basics before starting your ‘100’s.’ Enhance your posture and breathing for a safer, more effective workout!

In classical Pilates the ‘100’ is usually the warm-up, which is very effective warm up of course! That said, I think it’s better to start with some basic functional movements, and spend a little time softening our bodies and releasing tension and areas of stuckness.

The above video is a glimpse of some things you can expect to do before you dive into your ‘100’s’ if you come take my Pilates mat class.

I know starting a movement class, especially if it is new to you-can be intimidating.

Taking a few minutes to notice your posture, expand your breathing, mobilize your spine awareness to all parts of your body will help was you into your workout, keep you safe, and enhance your connections!

Please join me at Le Bureau every Wednesday 9-10am! Please email me to reserve your spot.

Mastering Kneeling Knee Stretches: A Beginner’s Pilates Guide

by lebureauetc, posted in hip hinge, Pilates

In the Pilates method, the kneeling knee stretches are one of the foundational exercises you learn on the reformer.

Although the kneeling knee stretches are part of the “beginner system” they are surely not easy! In fact, I am always surprised how challenging they are. I am always feeling the work in my whole body.

Similar to the stomach massage and the short box series in the “beginner system” you transition between 2 spinal shapes – round and tall.

In this video I want to highlight the importance of keeping a hip hinge, regardless if your spine is round or tall.

Understanding to hinge at your hips will help you not only in your workouts, but in your life!

Also, remember that the ’round back’ position we use in pilates is a TOOL to help us connect more deeply to our spine top to bottom and bottom to top! So when transitioning to ‘tall back’ from ’round back’ we feel more integrated front to back and side to side.

Happy practicing!