The Magic of Holiday Traditions

As the year draws to a close and the Christmas quickly appraoches, many of us find ourselves looking forward to familiar rituals: decorating the tree, baking family recipes, or gathering with loved ones to share in the joy of the season. These traditions, whether big or small, have a way of grounding us and connecting us, reminding us of what truly matters during the holiday season.

We absolutely love hearing about your special traditions in these weeks surrounding the holidays, and thought we would share a few of our own!

Maura:

I love making goodies for neighbors and friends every year. I look forward to cooking and baking all the time this time of year!

Wendy:

Once my sisters and I were adults, my dad would buy us all (including him) the same ornament each year for Christmas.  Since he passed away in 2022, I have been buying the ornaments for me and my sisters each year.  It brings back so many memories to unwrap and hang each ornament on the tree, and I love picking out something unique each year to send them.

Michelle:

I don’t remember exactly when it started, but I know it’s been over 10 years of my 12 Days of Christmas workouts! I look forward to it every year as the last great workout before a few days of celebrating. It’s such a fun way to look back on all the things we’ve worked on all year long and see how much you can really do!
(Not so sure any of my clients would list as their favorite tradition! haha)

Here is an at-home version of The 12 Days of Christmas to do if you can’t make it into the studio this week!

The Exercises:
1 Set of push ups (pick a number between 1 and 5, do this number of push ups every time you get to a set. )
2 Mountain Climbers
3 Tip Toe Squats
4 Lunge Pulses (right and left)
5 Lunge Knee Tucks (right and left)
6 Reverse Lunges (right and left)
7 Supermans
8 Plank Shoulder Taps
9 Side Plank Hip Dips (right and left)
10 Tricep Dips
11 Bridges
12 V Ups

The Format:

On the First day of Christmas, my pilates instructor gave to me:
1 Set of push ups (pick a number between 1 and 5, do this number of push ups every time you get to a set. )

On the Second day of Christmas, my pilates instructor gave to me:
2 Mountain Climbers
1 Set of push ups (pick a number between 1 and 5, do this number of push ups every time you get to a set. )

On the Third day of Christmas, my pilates instructor gave to me:
3 Tip Toe Squats
2 Mountain Climbers
1 Set of push ups (pick a number between 1 and 5, do this number of push ups every time you get to a set. )

On the Fourth day of Christmas, my pilates instructor gave to me:
4 Lunge Pulses (right and left)
3 Tip Toe Squats
2 Mountain Climbers
1 Set of push ups (pick a number between 1 and 5, do this number of push ups every time you get to a set. )

On the Fifth day of Christmas, my pilates instructor gave to me:
5 Lunge Knee Tucks (right and left)
4 Lunge Pulses (right and left)
3 Tip Toe Squats
2 Mountain Climbers
1 Set of push ups (pick a number between 1 and 5, do this number of push ups every time you get to a set. )

On the Sixth day of Christmas, my pilates instructor gave to me:
6 Reverse Lunges (right and left)
5 Lunge Knee Tucks (right and left)
4 Lunge Pulses (right and left)
3 Tip Toe Squats
2 Mountain Climbers
1 Set of push ups (pick a number between 1 and 5, do this number of push ups every time you get to a set. )

On the Seventh day of Christmas, my pilates instructor gave to me:
7 Supermans
6 Reverse Lunges (right and left)
5 Lunge Knee Tucks (right and left)
4 Lunge Pulses (right and left)
3 Tip Toe Squats
2 Mountain Climbers
1 Set of push ups (pick a number between 1 and 5, do this number of push ups every time you get to a set. )

On the Eighth day of Christmas, my pilates instructor gave to me:
8 Plank Shoulder Taps
7 Supermans
6 Reverse Lunges (right and left)
5 Lunge Knee Tucks (right and left)
4 Lunge Pulses (right and left)
3 Tip Toe Squats
2 Mountain Climbers
1 Set of push ups (pick a number between 1 and 5, do this number of push ups every time you get to a set. )

On the Ninth day of Christmas, my pilates instructor gave to me:
9 Side Plank Hip Dips (right and left)
8 Plank Shoulder Taps
7 Supermans
6 Reverse Lunges (right and left)
5 Lunge Knee Tucks (right and left)
4 Lunge Pulses (right and left)
3 Tip Toe Squats
2 Mountain Climbers
1 Set of push ups (pick a number between 1 and 5, do this number of push ups every time you get to a set. )

On the Tenth day of Christmas, my pilates instructor gave to me:
10 Tricep Dips
9 Side Plank Hip Dips (right and left)
8 Plank Shoulder Taps
7 Supermans
6 Reverse Lunges (right and left)
5 Lunge Knee Tucks (right and left)
4 Lunge Pulses (right and left)
3 Tip Toe Squats
2 Mountain Climbers
1 Set of push ups (pick a number between 1 and 5, do this number of push ups every time you get to a set. )

On the Eleventh day of Christmas, my pilates instructor gave to me:
11 Bridges
10 Tricep Dips
9 Side Plank Hip Dips (right and left)
8 Plank Shoulder Taps
7 Supermans
6 Reverse Lunges (right and left)
5 Lunge Knee Tucks (right and left)
4 Lunge Pulses (right and left)
3 Tip Toe Squats
2 Mountain Climbers
1 Set of push ups (pick a number between 1 and 5, do this number of push ups every time you get to a set. )

On the Twelveth day of Christmas, my pilates instructor gave to me:
12 V Ups
11 Bridges
10 Tricep Dips
9 Side Plank Hip Dips (right and left)
8 Plank Shoulder Taps
7 Supermans
6 Reverse Lunges (right and left)
5 Lunge Knee Tucks (right and left)
4 Lunge Pulses (right and left)
3 Tip Toe Squats
2 Mountain Climbers
1 Set of push ups (pick a number between 1 and 5, do this number of push ups every time you get to a set. )