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The Peak Blog

  • Misalignment – Rotational Issues

    Forum Question:Which exercises on the reformer and the mat are best to train a client that is always externally rotated? Her natural stance is Pilates V while standing. She just started training with me. I know the internal hip rotators need to be trained, but any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Observation is an important tool for any Pilates instructor.  We are constantly refining that skill as we mature as teachers and gain knowledge.   Initially when starting with a new client one observes their physicality as they enter the room, how they hold their bag, how they walk, their posture and general attitude.  I even take a look at their shoes to see where they are most worn.  It verifies the visual observation of those who walk on the outside of their feet and also confirms it to the client who is often unaware. For example, individuals who walk on the outside of their feet, have shoes worn from the outside of the heel to the last digit.  When observing these individuals I look in two areas; the knee to hip alignment and the knee to foot alignment.  Internal or external rotation of the knee, in most cases, is indicative of hip position.  Exceptions are tracking issues of the knee cap which indicate patellar problems caused by imbalances in the quadriceps, generally the VMO.  They are different issues than the hip being internally or externally rotated and can be tricky to understand and deal with.  Internal and external rotation of the hip or lower leg are more readily seen and sometimes easier to deal with but first you have to determine which is the issue, is the leg rotated out from the hip (hip to knee alignment ) or from the knee (knee to foot alignment).

    True external rotation from the hip actually follows through to the knee, ankle and foot in one smooth turned out line.  This can easily be seen on foot work, leg springs and so forth.  To correct this, align the pelvis and get the powerhouse strong so the legs can move and be controlled from it.  Holding Pilates stance is good for those who externally rotate (it brings the legs in) but often working parallel for a while works too.  However, before you worry about the position of the legs and feet observe the pelvis.  If the pelvis is not in alignment (tilted or hiked, posterior or anterior tilt) it may cause the hip to externally rotate. External hip rotation often occurs when the pelvis in an anterior tilt, but it can occur with the pelvis tilting forward or backward on the respective sides.  Also, when observing the client, note whether both legs are externally or internally rotated or is it just one leg. Once the pelvis is able to properly hold the position, the external hip rotation may start to diminish.  As you are working on holding the wrap of the legs and “powerhouse”, find exercises that stretch the external rotators and also work on the adductors.  You must do both because muscles work in pairs! There is a plethora of exercises to choose from but the basic introductory and beginning system exercises provide the foundation to success.  For instance, use the power circle between the knees sitting to initiate the three anchors and strengthen the inner thighs. Work with the fundamentals Seated Tracking to program the hip, knee, ankle and foot alignment and transfer the technique to the reformer footwork.  Constantly reinforce the weight on the inner two thirds of the foot.  This is an area of great importance for walking and propulsion and those who walk turned out miss it completely. To help in that area do Pumping on the Chair and make sure the work is through the midline of the legs and body.  To Stretch the lateral rotators do Cross Pumping on the High Chair.  Leg Springs are particularly helpful in strengthening the transverse abdominals and lower back and assist with proper leg alignment. This gives you a few places to start and also how to think about the issue of a client with externally rotated leg(s). 

    Another rotational issue is tibial torsion. Tibial torsion is when the bones on the lower leg actually bow out and it looks like bow legs.  At first glance, individuals with tibial torsion look like they are turning out from their hip, but this is not true.  To observe this misalignment correctly, consider the hip and knee alignment.  Train your eye.  If the alignment is good there, look at the knee and shin bone and the alignment to the foot.  You may see that the shin bows outward and away slightly from the mid line when the knee and hip are in alignment.  This is a tibial torsion and the rotation is NOT from the hip. These individuals have similar issues of those who externally rotate in the lower leg compartment.  Generally you cannot change a tibial torsion greatly; however, I’ve seen Pilates diminish its affects and appearance somewhat.  Definitely strengthen the feet by using the foot corrector and concentrate on exercises where the weight is on the feet in all movements.  These suggestions will help with inner calf development and diminish the appearance of the tibial torsion.  The attachment of the IT band on the lower leg can be stretched, well actually the entire band, and that can help as well.  This band if tight at the insertion point pulls the foot out slightly.  Stretch it through exercises, strengthen the “powerhouse” and consider additional dynamic stretching outside of the Pilates system. 

    Observation of misalignment is not always what it seems at first glance. I hope this information has helped you see how thorough one must be when considering “correcting” an issue.  If you are not completely sure you can never go wrong with simply aligning the pelvis and strengthening the “powerhouse” and just do the system.  This alone helps correct many peripheral misalignments.  Pilates is truly an amazing methodology uniformly aligning the body.

    Posted Jun 29 2009, 09:26 AM by Colleen with no comments
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  • The Real Deal: Pilates and Athletic Training

    The big craze in recent years is the marketing of Pilates training for the benefit of specific sports conditioning.  For instance, Pilates for Golf, Pilates for skiers, Pilates for runners, bikers and hikers.  Pilates for swimmers, skaters and mountain climbers, Pilates for equestrian riders and hang gliders, these last two are big here in Boulder.  There’s Pilates for gymnasts and tennis, basketball and football players. Let’s not exclude those players in soccer or professional boxers!  It seems as if the various sports benefit from Pilates but only if it is Pilates designed specifically.  This is curious.   Recently I picked up a Pilates book written specifically for Athletes and I noticed something interesting about its’ content.  With minor alterations and exceptions the author describes  the classical Pilates mat sequence for its readers.  This is also true for other books I’ve picked up, for instance a book that illustrates the sequence for the benefit of men. The list of this specialized marketing goes on and on and honestly I want you to ask yourself an important question.  Do you know of any other modality, other than Pilates, that is touted as beneficial for so many different sports and athletic conditioning? I think not.  A physical therapist I worked with in the past used to say tongue in check, that we could use the same PowerPoint presentation for the benefits of Pilates for Golf as we could for Swimmers and those with chronic back problems.  The Pilates hubbub is in the packaging and marketing of what the individual presents.  Many have done outstanding jobs in this area, designating themselves specialists and spawning new industry segments.  However, it’s important to note one could do the same Pilates program with minor variations per the individual and their respective sport with great success.   When I first began teaching Pilates 25 years ago I worked with professional dancers, skaters and other athletes along with average clients.  All of these clients were of various ages and conditions. I am glad I didn’t have a specialized background at that time because what I learned with my limited understanding and vocabulary of Pilates, was that no matter the individual or their condition, my Pilates training worked for them.  While I value my teaching skills and believe I’m an excellent teacher, my clients successes then were due to the method. It works. While my skill sets have matured and I have many tools in my kit, the method has continued to help everyone I work with across the board with all kinds of maladies.     Let’s consider reasons for this and look at the real value of Pilates for athletic conditioning and specialized training.  First, consider that everybody has physical imbalances, athletes included.  Its’ part of being human and living on the earth and all it entails. There are no exceptions and the body strives for homeostasis and balance. Therefore, when it’s out of balance for too long it will acclimate and adjust to the imbalance in order to create balance. The main reason for this balancing activity is the fact that our body consists primarily of water. The property of water is malleable and adjustable.  Think about what happens if you tip a glass of water?  It levels itself doesn’t it?  So too does the body when tipped out of balance. However, imbalances and the subsequent substitutions left unaddressed, cause faulty biomechanics.  This then sets up a chain reaction eventually causing injury, pain and a myriad of physical disorders and eventually disease.  It also alters daily activities and of course athletic performance.   Athletes, as we all do, unconsciously use their dominant side to perform their respective sport and for good reason.  In potentially dangerous sports for instance mountain climbing, using the strong and dominate side may be imperative to prevent injury and disaster.  In other sports such as trail running and kayaking it may not prove an immediate danger, however, over time relying on the dominate side will cause injury and low performance.    Pilates is the most valuable cross training tool.  Its focus on functional conditioning by improving balance, agility, control, flexibility and strength is the key that turns the body on.  Balance, control, agility and coordination are not traditionally considered factors of fitness but they are highly important.  They should be. Variable spring resistance and eccentric loading found by working with the Pilates equipment helps achieve these important benefits. Variable resistance and eccentric loading are not the be all end all however.  Pilates alters the neurological system by working the same muscles in different planes and positions, with variable resistance and eccentric loading, thereby optimally strengthening entire muscles’ activation potentials, not just a specific part.  Additionally, Pilates requires the muscle to integrate its new found strength, flexibility and intelligence (yes muscles do have intelligence) immediately into both intricate and full body movement.  Concentration and awareness of the mind-body connection is required and this is what makes Pilates the closest thing to a cross training solution.   Let’s look at a few tips for utilizing this information, how do we make practical sense of it?   1) Know the specific requirements and details to perform a respective sport. For instance, does it require trunk rotation, forearm and hand strength?  What about endurance?  Is there a dominate side to the sport? Does it require weight bearing on the hands?   Delve into the details. Watch the sport, network with professionals and athletes in that field. Have the athlete follow the session format using the mat and reformer as you observe. Then look at the individual needs and ending exercises that will help balance, align, strengthen and stretch.  What is needed to integrate the body fully?  Further, how will your cueing alter per the individual and their needs?   2)  Be able to relate specific exercise benefits to the specific sport.  For instance, explain that working the legs uniformly on the reformer, for instance in foot work, leg circles and so forth helps balance the tendency of the dominant, generally stronger side to initiate movement altering biomechanics and performance.  An imbalance in bilateral and unilateral leg use affects every sport there is!  Can you think of other exercises on the mat and reformer that may help a client balance leg mechanics?   Almost all of it right? It does, but you must be able to relate it back intelligently to the sport and of course see the imbalance when in motion.  Some exercises will show the imbalance more than others.   3) Teach that core functional strength or the powerhouse is the focal point from which all movement emanates.  A strong core is not enough.  Peripheral limb use with racquets, clubs, balls, reins and sticks should be supported by the powerhouse.  Basic Pilates mat and reformer work, where core and functional strength begins, is the foundation to learn and master on the road to improvement and excellence in any sport. 4)  Lastly, never stop your education.  Follow through with all the certifications and comprehensive Peak Pilates material if you have not done so.  This will ensure you have the tools to manage athletes effectively and successfully.  Do your homework and follow these simple guidelines to help the athletes in your practice. You don’t have to be a “specialist” for them to see improvements.  Promote the conditioning you offer to help athletes. If, however, you take this further and promote yourself specifically to athletes, do your homework and create a credible program. There are other modalities to enhance your Pilates athletic program too.  However, Pilates is the closest thing to a cross training solution there is, its time proven and effective.  Athletes from the weekend warrior to the professional hockey player have all benefited with the classical Pilates system. Rest assured if you too teach the classical system the athletes in your practice will benefit tremendously. Have fun and let me know how things work out for you and your clients.

     

    Posted Jun 17 2009, 12:44 PM by Colleen with no comments
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  • Workshop with Jay Grimes

    Recently I had the opportunity to take a workshop with Jay Grimes and other luminaries in the Pilates world.  It was so refreshing to be taught, inspired, and challenged in a healthy learning environment.  I suppose it is how students feel in the courses I and other Peak Trainers teach.  It was a much appreciated and grounding experience.  Jay Grimes, if you don’t know, studied with Joseph Pilates.  He was a dancer and Broadway performer with a long career.  He began his studies with Joseph and Clara Pilates in the mid-sixties near the end of Josephs’ life. Later he worked along side Romana and others as the studio moved from one location to another.  He is humble, passionate, and intelligent, all around very pleasant to learn from. He made interesting comments about the method and Joseph Pilates which many readers would find interesting, especially those who write asking questions about exercise clarification. For instance, the arm position for Mermaid, or specific breathing on various exercises, or the foot position for Side Body Twist (Mermaid) with the top ankle crossed over the bottom or on top of it.  There are questions about the correct order and others that deepen understanding and learning. Often, questions arise out of seeing variations shown on different DVDs or written materials. They can present some confusion to those who want to do it “right” and the way our program or another teaches. It shows admirable integrity on the questioners, those who are thinking about things.   These questions are welcome and are good ones too.  All the Master Trainers and Team say, “no question is a bad question’ so I want to elaborate and give some perspective.

    When we fist learn something whether it’s a new language or math problem, it is easier to learn it if it is organized and laid out systematically.  Personally I feel this and in our culture today it is most often required for professionalism.  Our culture demands the delivery of information in a certain way. Codifying for learning is a newer process though.  In history where sacred information was learned for instance, the spiritual practice of Yoga and or trade information, like making a watch, it was handed down through generations by mentoring. Often individuals where chosen for specific trades by their temperament and abilities or for monetary means.  It could be rich and organic, subject to the personalities with the information to pass on.  In many ways what was experienced first was the essence or spirit of the thing, not the details.  Apprenticeship and hands on learning you were absorbed in the atmosphere and activity in its entirety. Of course this is still done in the medical world and other fields, along with written material but, not in the same manner as it was historically.   For Pilates too, it is desirable to learn from individuals whose information and depth of perspective transform you.  While beneficial, written manuals tend to create rigidity, locking information, at its worst, into distorting forms, especially if you do not have this mentoring to supplement. What is written has mistakes or it is not complete due to the author’s lack information or understanding.   That is why some form of mentoring, even if it is not for years and years, is so important. Mentoring provides objectivity and clarity to the written word, which can often be difficult to understand.  It helps answer the unresolved questions. That is one of the reasons for Peak Pilates to offer blogs for students and graduates.  Its part of the modern day technologically-based mentoring.  

    Fortunately, I’ve had the experience of studying with the Elders who have rich historical perspectives, filtered by their memory and personalities.  They are our only link to the man who created what we all cherish what we keep our bodies, mind and spirit healthy with and, make a living by. Jay Grimes presents a historical perspective during the later years of Pilates’ life. I would love to be a fly on the wall in his studio.  Many of his comments about Mr. Pilates draw attention.  For instance, one of the most enlightening comments was the one about archival materials, specifically the archival photographs of extreme exercises.  He said many of them were not intended to really be taught.  How these exercises came about is humorous.  If Joseph was to teach a gymnast or an extremely fit athlete, he would create exercises that he knew that person could not possibly do. He would do them on a first lesson to humble them and show off and he did this late into his last years!  He always wanted to demonstrate the strength of his method and how strong he was, especially to his accomplished clients. What happened then, was an extreme exercise was created, either for a specific person or to show off in the moment. He may or may not have photographed all of these exercises, but other students observed them and began to practice them and wham, such exercises became part of the “system”.  Jay said many of the exercises he never did again and in fact would say, “oh, that one we should not do.”  Jay said Joseph Pilates made mistakes!  Well I never thought about that. But of course he did, he was human after all. Did you ever think Joseph Pilates made mistakes?  I don’t think we want to.  We want to believe everything we are doing is “right” since we are basing so much on the method.  Besides, it is kind of hard to think about the man as a genius and being imperfect, but let’s keep everything in perspective. Joseph was constantly creating, trial and error, were part of his process as it is with all inventors.

    There’s more.  Jay did not demonstrate the Spine Corrector exercises with the bottom in the crease of the barrel as shown in our manuals.  When I queried him about those exercises he said he rarely teaches them because they are too extreme. What I don’t know and didn’t ask was if they were taught in the studio by Mr. Pilates.  Ron Fletcher and Kathy Grant certainly use the barrels and those kinds of exercises.  Both learned their barrel repertoire from Joseph Pilates.  Both have created their own systems with the barrels as well.  Anyway, it was an interesting comment from my perspective since I teach those barrel exercises quite regularly as I progress my students. They are wonderful and they are part of the Peak Pilates system. This is just another example of variations on concepts and exercises from an Elder.  Also, there were many exercise variations that I have seen over the years that I thought “that’s not Pilates” (yes I do it too) that he and others at the workshop taught, really fun stuff.  What they taught they said was directly from Joseph or Romano. Additionally, Jay said that Joseph Pilates never used ballet terms for anything and those terms came from dancers who studied with him. For instance, Ballet Stretches where just the stretches and they where the ones the ancient Greeks taught for conditioning.  This information was not new to me but it certainly was confirmed from the horses’ mouths so to speak.  Lastly, I’ll leave you with this bit of information about Joseph Pilates’ belief of himself which he stated in a magazine.  Whether it’s true or not we’ll never know but, evidently he believed he was a direct descendent of Pontius Pilates. Well maybe! 

    Continue your studies and ask questions, you must have an understanding that supports the education you participate in, it’s important for building a foundation.  However, once a level of understanding is embodied in your body, mind and spirit it takes a new life.  You own it; this is what makes a teacher an artist.  It’s not whether you know a lot of vocabulary and can do it perfectly. Owning what you do takes time, it takes mentoring of the modern sort with blogs and travel to teachers you want to study with if and when you can. The most important aspects of learning are being open, understanding yourself and having the resources to learn from. I believe we provide this at Peak Pilates.  My hope is that you are enjoying your processes and that you keep asking questions, even if I say, well, that is ONE variation you can do, but you need to KNOW this one right now, at this level and for your education.     
    Posted Jun 09 2009, 09:47 AM by Colleen with no comments
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  • How Do I Approach The Chronically Injured Individual?

    What do I do with a client that has a Harrington Rod?  Or the client that has bilateral bulging posterior discs in the cervical spine?   What about a client who has PCOS disease? How do I, as a Pilates’ teacher, approach the chronically injured individual?   Physical limitations are certainly common.  However, it is interesting when clients present their lists of injuries and maladies explaining why they can’t move or do something. Chronic arthritis conditions, congenital deformities, inherent weaknesses, tight muscles and misalignments are all commonplace.  Requests for solutions to specific issues are common and they can be daunting and confusing to address.  Let me help you develop a process and provide some insights.

    • First and foremost consider that you are a movement educator and your modality is Pilates, you are not a physical therapist. Peak Pilates teaches circulation and movement is what heals the body. This was Joseph Pilates’ belief too.  As movement practitioners we look for what is missing in specific movement patterns and strive to correct and reprogram them.   Starting first from the Powerhouse building a strong foundation and working outward.   Movement capabilities vary from individual to individual.  When a client comes to you with limitations ask yourself a few questions. Where CAN they move without pain?, HOW is their range of motion limited and WHERE is it limited?, where CAN they stabilize and what movements CAN be done to give them a movement experience?  Focus your energies there.  These questions help find solutions for difficult situations and guide you.  Soon you will find you can work with almost anyone safely.    
    • Listen to your clients but set boundaries as well.  Permitting clients to emotionally dump on you fosters unhealthy relationships.  But please don’t mistake my intent.  By all means do the proper intake and get an adequate health history and current physical status.  Armed with this information your task is then to promote and teach to your client’s potential within healthy boundaries.  Allowing a client to use their limitations to further degrade their potential of healing is ineffective.  Individuals carry their banner of limitations from instructor to instructor trying to get “fixed”.  If these individuals own their healing process and partner with you, they can be extremely rewarding to work with.  But if they don’t, don’t be afraid to let them go.   
    • Network with medical practiconers, peers and do your due diligence.  Investigate and research issues on your own. When a client explains a condition they have and you don’t know exactly what it is, look it up.  Call a peer who might know, or call a medical practitioner you have developed a relationship with.   Access credible resources available on the web.  Once you have done your research, think through how it applies to your practice, discuss it with others.  Question your abilities honestly before you incorporate new elements in your sessions.  You do not want to work outside of your scope, refer a client out if need be. 
    • Lastly, keep up your education to expand your options.  While mat or only reformer knowledge is beneficial it does not provide the wide range of tools to address more difficult situations.  Joseph Pilates created an entire system to address a myriad of maladies and it helps to be armed with all that is available. 

    Recently a student emailed me with a question about PCOS. I had not heard of this condition which seems to be more and more prevalent.  It is related to women, involves the endocrine system (hormonal) and causes a host of problems with the primary one being infertility.  One in ten women in the United States is afflicted.  Obesity, hair growth, fatigue, irregular menstrual periods, and scores of other symptoms are related to PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome).  If left undiagnosed it can lead to heart disease and diabetes. My student asked if her client could be helped by Pilates and how she could design a program.  How did I respond?  First, I investigated the causes and symptoms of PCOS on the Mayo Clinic website, which is reputable and very informative.  I found that daily exercise was recommended for this population because it lowers blood sugars levels and is essential for preventing insulin resistance.  Of course we know that exercise helps with weight control and management (yes Pilates does help with weight control and management). It does not mention, however, that a mind-body exercise regime like Pilates helps the nervous symptom, reduces stress and enhances circulation which would help deal with this condition.  Nor does it mention how an enhanced respiratory system would provide energy and help with fatigue which is important.  I bet you could think of other benefits for this disease that Pilates might offer and which could be discussed with this person.  One thing, however, I would NOT say is that it would help her specifically with her infertility or reduce the cysts caused by the disease.   If I had more time and this was my client I would call my gynecologist, whom I have a good personal relationship with, and speak to her about how to best work with such a client. I may also call a colleague to see if they had experience with PCOS.  In all cases, I would be armed with information, have questions for my client formed and be ready to help them work towards better health. I hope this helps you think through how to approach client issues presented to you. It doesn’t matter what it is the same process should apply.  Honestly, when I first started teaching 25 years ago I did just what I suggested you do, with the exception of searching on the web.  Boy it would have been nice to have the web then!  I taught what could be taught, I networked with my medical contacts and peers and most importantly, I partnered with the client.  We were in it together.  So, don’t be shy to contact me with specific questions, but please do some research beforehand so your questions are more informed and we can have real dialogue about any issue.  In that way I can either validate the direction you thought to take or offer new insights.   Either way you’ll grow in understanding, so will I and we’ll be successful together!
    Posted May 20 2009, 03:50 PM by Colleen with no comments
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  • This Year – Shoot for the Moon!

    Recently at our studio we began the New Year with a ‘Back to Basics’ focus. This monthly focus allowed our beginners to start off with a solid focus on the foundational elements of Pilates and provided a good reminder for our more advanced clients as well. Of course, putting it out in the newsletter is not enough, and we asked all of our teachers at the InnerSpace in Connecicut, to reinforce the basics in their lessons.

    This led to a great discussion on what is advancement, what is mastery? Vince Lombardi once commented that you have to know what greatness looks like or else you won’t notice it when it arrives. 

    All Pilates instructors strike a balance between teaching the exercise and teaching the body, and naturally teaching the exercise has to precede teaching the body, since learning gross movement patterns must come before refining them. But we all know that advancing is more than adding more exercises and choreography. Periodically, it is good to review your own teaching and your clients to make sure you are being disciplined and helping them own the work.

    Ask yourself if you are teaching to the stage of learning of the client? For beginners, focus on helping them to concentrate on developing the precision of the exercise shape for the first half of the reps and giving the exercise flow the second half. Use the name of the exercise, cue them through transitions, and keep a solid focus on the powerhouse. Trust the work and allow them to do the same.

    Intermediates need to be weaned off some of your cues. Try saying just the name of the exercise and giving them only the cues they need to set up and get things in motion. Expand your focus from the powerhouse, to working other connections in the body that are missing and helping them toward better alignment. This is where you can really begin unlocking the body.

    Advanced students are rare. They must be committed enough to truly own the work. They must be responsible for their order, transitions, and basics and they must have a solid command of their body -- you are there as a guide to help them refine and develop the subtlety of fluid movement and artistry.

    True progression must be measured in terms of mind, body, and spirit. One cannot be sacrificed at the expense of another. Ask yourself is my student physically more stable, stronger, more flexible, do they have greater stamina? Ask yourself if they have better alignment, stand and move with better posture, feel physically better.
    From a mental perspective, consider if they are concentrating more deeply, able to command their body more fully, thinking about the order, transitions, and details of the exercise. Note if they are asking good questions. Finally, spiritually-emotionally are they feeling good about their work? Are they demonstrating confidence and showing pride in their new found skills and are they uplifted by the work? If you are meeting them mind, body, and spirit, they will continue to grow and unfold and will stay with the practice.

    On a parallel note, how do we know if we are progressing as teachers? Our advancement is the opposite side of the Pilates coin. Frequently as a Master Trainer I am in a position of assessing or giving feedback to other teachers and trainers. Over they years I have come to a few solid truths about what developing mastery as a teacher is NOT:

    It is not measured by the years you have taught
    It is not measured by how many courses you have taken personally
    It is not measured by your aptitude as a student
    It is not measured by where you work or who you teach

    Of course, these things might impact your teaching ability, but they also might not. It is always a matter of what you DO with what you have. How have your years of experience been focused? What are you doing with your knowledge you learn on courses? What are you doing with the insight you gain during your personal practice? How are you using the resources around you and the students you teach to teach you and help you grow?

    Some might say our students are our report card, and to some degree that may be true, but surely not always. So how to we achieve artistry, mastery as teachers? That is a pathway that is different for every individual. Some are born teachers others need to work harder to hone their craft. First consider how you learn best- do you learn by doing, do you read and apply theory well, do you learn by seeing and observing, do you need feedback and an outside eye? Consider your learning style and then move to assessing where you are now.

    Start by thinking about where you are now in your teaching- what are you happy with, what is lacking? Include in this self assessment any skills you wish you had such as a great touch, as well as any specialties you wish to develop in terms of ability to work with special populations such as hip replacements, back disorders, pre and post natal clients, etc.

    Now lay out a plan to help you develop in the year ahead. Knowing how you learn best, detail out an approach that works for you. Ideally, your plan will include some theoretical learning, some hands on learning in a CEC course or mentorship, and a chance to apply what you have learned and practice your new skill(s).

    For example, if you are a strong visual learner, and you have a desire to work with active aging clients this year, you can lay out a plan. First, you do need to develop a theoretical understanding of the aging process and the needs of this population, this could be achieved through reading or taking a CEC. Next, you will need to ‘see’ how this looks, so you might get the MVe Balance and Control DVD, you might find a teacher who is teaching older students and ask to observe, and/or you might go to a local senior center or YMCA and watch some classes. Next you need to apply what you have learned. Nothing replaces first hand experience. If you are having trouble attracting students in your population, volunteer to get experience. Teach with an open mind, pay attention to what is working in practice and is not, ask students for feedback, and you will grow. If possible, once you are comfortable, ask an experienced teacher for feedback. This simple process can be applied one skill at a time to help you continually improve.

    Remember, shoot for the moon, if you miss you will land among the stars!

    Posted Feb 13 2009, 10:15 AM by Zoey with 1 comment(s)
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  • How to Survive in a Tough Economy

    Connie Borho, the Director of Balance Pilates & Yoga Centers and a Peak Pilates Level III Teacher Trainer has submitted this excellent article on surviving in tough economic times.

    No matter where you are in the U.S, or the world for that matter, the state of the economy has been all over the news, and the news hasn’t been good. Before the U.S. presidential election, it seemed that every headline was about how bad the economy is and how it is only going to get worse. This challenging economic situation is making people reevaluate what they spend their money on and what they spend their time on. Pilates and Yoga Centers all over are finding it difficult to communicate to their students that their personal training or group classes are even more valuable to them in this stressful time, and these centers are losing clients and money just like any many other businesses. However, this hasn’t been the case at my studios, and it doesn’t have to be for your studio either. 

    First of all, you have to change how you perceive the economic situation. I have decided that this economy is an “opportunistic” one. You look for opportunities…and you capitalize on them…and bring more students and more clients into your studio. Secondly, you have to resolve to invest in marketing and sales strategies that will drive more students or clients to your services. This means not only getting new clients to walk in the door, but also to keep your current clients seeing the value of their lessons, and then to get them to purchase additional classes or services beyond what they already have. Easier said than done you say? It’s really not…if you try some simple things that have really worked well for other studios. 

    Secondly, you have to spend at least an hour a day working ON your business instead of IN your business. Pilates and yoga teachers aren’t usually the most “natural” business people; we’d rather be hands on with students than spending time with things like accounting, sales strategies, and marketing. This one hour a day has made the biggest difference for me in how I organize my studios, and on how we have created strategies to drive sales. 

    In the last 6 months we have really focused on marketing big time. We have revamped our website, which is totally user friendly and can be updated in seconds. In addition to pages about our studio, classes, rates and the like, we also have created pages for interactive type of things like blogs and quotes and recipes, and fitness tips and such. We have lots of pictures of many different types of people—young, old, fit, heavy, male; in positions that won’t intimidate the viewer, but rather will make the typical website visitor feel that they could accomplish it too! People say that the website really drove them to the studio.

    We are sending out email newsletters twice a month that have kept existing students excited about coming programs and purchasing new items, has brought clients back to the studio that had stopped coming, and brings more new students into the studio than any other marketing technique that we’ve tried. We have collected email addresses in many different ways. Of course our students all give us their emails upon registration. All my teachers have combed their email address books and integrated them to our list. We run raffles at different events and collect email addresses on the entry tickets. We ask our students to forward the newsletters to their friends so that they can sign up for it. 

    These emails are short with a theme of the month and with special offers as coupons at the very end of the email. These have worked very well in getting our existing clients to buy more. We really haven't given anything away, in fact the biggest offer so far was for 15% off any package of 10 or more of either group classes or personal training or duets. We offered that right in the middle of December, and sales blew up. For this month we are focusing on the MVe chair classes, and the offer is to buy a package of 5 chair classes for the price of mat classes. They can buy as many packages as they want, and the expiration dates are adjusted to when they activate each package. People are crazy about it, and all MVe classes are full, with people who may not have tried this class before this offer started a buzz. We have different "themes" for each month to keep enthusiasm up.

    We have definitely been concentrating greatly on group ex classes, but to tell you the truth, our personal training has started to pick up again! We do have a policy that in order to get enrolled in group reformer or tower classes people have to take a "minimum" of 2 personal training sessions before they are allowed to register, so that helps drive personal training alot. We do not have a special offer to cover this, although I know that some studios do have special introductory offers. I thought about it, but all the fitness marketing gurus swear that if you do this you devalue your programming, so I haven't bent yet. And it is paying off.

    Signs are another important marketing tool. Colorful, large signs, with a catchy logo and your website address will help people to find you. With your website address you provide an “inside” look opportunity for people to see your studio to become familiar with it, which helps to create a comfort level for new clients before they actually come in to speak to you about sessions. The more comfortable a new client is when they first come in, the more apt they will be to actually sign up for classes or training.

    We are holding open houses at both studios on Saturday afternoons once a month, doing demos, free classes and posture screening. Again, this creates a comfort level and excitement, as well as providing another opportunity to casually introduce our programs to people.

    I am doing speaking/workout demo engagements with chiropractors and handing out literature and flyers about the studios. This has been quite successful as well in getting new clients, as well as in touching people that might not have been exposed to pilates or yoga otherwise.

    Of course, I also have extremely high-quality instructors, all Peak trained. Continuing education workouts once a week mandatory to all teachers help keep teachers fresh and enthusiastic which then helps to keep clients happy and wanting more more more. I also spend time with the teachers to coach them on customer service, and on selling skills. Because, let’s face it, it is our teachers that actually make the sales happen…or not.

    These are just a few of the many ideas that we have tried to take advantage of this “opportunistic” economy. We are holding our own down here in Florida, and even managing to grow a little bit. With my commitment to put a little more energy into the “business side” of things, and to get creative with marketing, hopefully, it will continue!

    Posted Feb 03 2009, 03:49 PM by BalancePilates with no comments
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  • Climb Your Own Mt. Everest

    "Everest for me, and I believe for the world, is the physical and symbolic manifestation of overcoming odds to achieve a dream." - Tom Whittaker

    Travel changes a person, I do believe.  It opens our minds and hearts to fresh perspectives and shapes our worldview.  I feel this way whenever I travel but last month trekking in Nepal was a high point in my personal experience of inner and outer adventure.  To begin with, I have never walked so long, so high or for so many days in a row.  I was concerned about how my new hips would fare, how I would tolerate the altitude, the cold and the logistics of things like toilets and sleeping bags.  To say the least, I was out of my comfort zone.  The first view of Mount Everest had me transfixed.  We had already walked for a few days and the anticipation of glimpsing it made my imagination soar.  At first sight I could only stop and stare at this magnificent mountain, conquered by relatively few brave souls.  Our group was simply trekking in the Everest region, but the conversation among us circled back to the question "would you ever climb it?"  I meditated on this question as we walked and walked and walked.  I personally have no desire to summit or even attempt to summit Mount Everest and yet I saw so clearly that I have my own Mount Everest to climb in the form of goals that "seem" unachievable or far reaching.  I asked myself where we all would be without our dreams and aspirations?  I was struck at how symbolic climbing the highest mountain in the world can be.  It has a magical way questioning our own complacency, uncovering old dreams, waving a spell of "what if’s" and bringing us back to the limitless perspective of a child dreaming of all the possibilities that lie ahead in life. 
    What happens to those buried dreams?   They don’t just go away.  The dreams stay alive within us and get tapped into through music, movies and art that stir our hearts, from stories of present real time heroes, from people and situations in our lives that help us remember to live every day to the fullest.  Life brings us these little reminders, which serve as our teachers if we let them in.  We all have this internal resource that can act like a personal compass with the potential to fuel us with boundless energy when we exercise it. What form does your Mount Everest take?  What inspires you and gives you energy?  Go and do that thing!  What do you want to get better at?  Go and practice that thing!  What do you want to create in your life?  Start now and create it! Give yourself the chance daily to visit your dreams-visualize them, see them, feel them, smell them, taste them--make them real again for yourself.

    Here is a great and free resource to support your journey.  TUT.com    Happy Trails!

    "Technique and ability alone do not get you to the top; it is the willpower that is the most important. This willpower you cannot buy with money or be given by others.  It rises from your heart"  - Junko Tabei-1975 after becoming first woman to climb Everest

    Posted Dec 22 2008, 10:16 AM by Clare with no comments
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  • The Power of Giving, The Power of Love

    Have you ever sat still with yourself and determined what the purpose of your Pilates career is?  What is your mission?  What are you trying to achieve?  What makes you cheerfully get up in the morning to go teach?  If you haven’t and you find yourself teaching Pilates aimlessly, then I think this Holiday Season is a perfect time for you to reflect on this.  

    Being a Pilates instructor is much more than teaching Pilates. You have a special gift and a special opportunity to change peoples’ lives.  It is the opportunity to give to others.

    Today, this world struggles with numerous health issues, such as obesity, high blood pressure, depression, and so many others.  I would also like to boldly say that many people are spiritually dead. Do you see the grand opportunity we have?  Pilates instructors have the grand responsibility to teach Pilates and help people feel better, physically, mentally, and spiritually.  The key to making an extraordinary impact, is to focus on others and not on yourself.

    I challenge everyone to evaluate their heart. Ask yourself if  you are more into yourself or into your clients?  I hope you are not insulted by this question, but I have seen it.   So take a deep and honest look inside.  I can promise you, if you give more and focus more on others, you will be more rewarded and you will have a real sense of purpose in this world.  I challenge everyone to give more of themselves during your sessions; be kinder, be more focused, be more attentive, be more mindful, and be more patient, be more sensitive, and more loving.

    Eighteen years ago, I wanted to be a great Pilates instructor and a great Pilates educator. In my early years of teaching Pilates and Pilates certifications, I can remember being excited about what I was teaching, but the fulfillment wasn’t there.  I do remember putting a lot of pressure on myself because I wanted to be a good teacher so badly. I don’t think I was being egotistical, I just thought that it was important to be good.   It wasn’t till later years, that I realized that is was more important to help and support others. When I took the focus off myself, the fulfillment came.

    The teaching experience I had in Mexico City brought me to this realization. During my preparations for this course my intention was to help my students and I did everything to make this experience for them, not only an educational one, but a loving one.  It  was the first time that I was not worried if they were going to think I was good or not. By the end of the course, there was so much love and bonding, it was overwhelming.  I can honestly share with you, that this changed my life in so many ways and it went far beyond my Pilates career. This experience is a true testimony to the power of giving and the power of love.

    When your heart and intentions are in the right place, you will be amazed at the fulfillment in your life.  I can only hope that all Pilates instructors find this kind of success in their teaching. I wish all of you a blessed Holiday Season. May it be filled with love, peace, and fulfillment.


    Sincerely,
    Sonia Rodriguez

     

    Posted Dec 08 2008, 10:03 AM by Sonia with no comments
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  • Pass the Passion Along

    Oh yeah, Obama. I can’t stop thinking about this election and find myself smiling, smiling, smiling. I proudly add my voice to the big ‘hooray’ that is sounding out – not only America – but across the globe. I have received e-mails from some of our trainers around the world who feel the same way. I remember getting goose bumps when the victory was announced and watched in amazement the outpouring of so many diverse people, telling stories of hope and realizing what can be accomplished when individuals get together for a common cause. Healing has begun and collectively we can breathe a big global sigh of relief as we get back to business with the assurance we are in capable hands.

    What does this election have to do with Pilates? For me, I reconnected with the part of myself, which knows that inner, core change is reflected like a mirror on the outside as a tangible result. It is just how it works, cause and effect. We are constantly creating our own reality by choosing our thoughts. Transformational experiences always touch, move and inspire me and change me as a result, whether it is my transformation or someone else’s. Sometimes in big ways and sometimes small, I am different nonetheless.

    I like to look for opportunities in everyday life to turn a regular moment into a moment of magic as a student, teacher, teacher trainer and human being. The practice of teaching or doing Pilates never transforms the teacher or the student. Consciously approach each lesson with an eye for what is possible instead of going through the hour by routine: Saying or doing the same things over and over out of habit or making choices rather then listening to deeper intuition.

    To keep Pilates fresh means to let out our inner-twinkle and extend it to another person so they feel better and then pass it to the next person. It is a chain reaction. It is a choice we all get to make, each and every time we are a student, teacher or teacher trainer. What I love about this is the more we give away, the more we have! We only get to keep what we give away.

    Keep passing the passion along!

    Posted Nov 13 2008, 09:52 AM by Clare with no comments
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  • Business Tricks (and Treats) for a Spooky Economy

    Well, Halloween is here and I have to admit the economic climate seems down-right scary. If you are concerned about your business – take action. The first step is to assess the situation in real terms. We just sat down and ran our numbers to get an accurate picture of our real business situation… what we are doing this year to last year and also distribution of our client loads for each of our instructors. It was really informative.

    Knowing that as times get tough, people do tighten up, we are reviewing the other options we provide. What can we do, what can you do? Expanding group offerings was a natural choice. We are not just putting more on the schedule, but encouraging clients who mention cost as an issue, to put a group of their friends and colleagues together to get a set group that can progress and learn together.

    We also motivate our staff to tap into their own connections and resources to promote special interest groups. We have instructors who are involved in sports, dance and schools and have encouraged them to go out and speak about Pilates and creating opportunities for special interest group classes.

    Finally, we are continuing to give away Pilates. Now I know that might sound crazy, but I firmly believe in creating community and the idea of what goes around comes around.

    We know that our scholarship program will soon be strained to the max, so why not find a way to reach more people into giving? In this month of Thanksgiving, we are thankful for our clients, our health, our business growth. We have created a community class where people give what they can and all of the proceeds from that class go to an orphanage in Nepal. It’s a real win-win – everyone feels good!

    So if you are feeling a bit “haunted” by the economy this Halloween, step back and do a reality check. Make a plan that works for both you and your community!

    - Zoey Trap, Peak Pilates Master Trainer

    Posted Oct 30 2008, 03:41 PM by Zoey with 1 comment(s)
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  • Strong Foundations with Fundamentals

    Setting a strong foundation at the beginning is important for any student’s success. It will also be easier for the instructor to safely progress a student. One way of setting a strong foundation is to layer the Pilates fundamentals into every beginner’s first sessions.

    Some of the most common Pilates fundamentals are:

    • Imprinting
    • Iso-Abs
    • Pelvic Clock
    • Knee Folds
    • Knee Spreads
    • Rib Cage Arms
    • Flight
    • Head Nod
    • Neck Curls

    These fundamentals are movements which are used to either re-program movement patterns or deepen connections. If you have not been teaching them, I hope this blog inspires you to refer back to your educational manual and review the execution and goal of each fundamental. For those of you who have never learned your fundamentals, I encourage you to do so.

    Fundamentals can be used for different purposes, such as at the beginning of the session as a warm up and as a time to connect the mind and body. This provides an opportunity to teach students to move from their center and not from their periphery. This sets the stage for the entire session and their entire Pilates experience.

    Fundamentals can also be sprinkled in throughout the session to deepen connections. For example, Rib Cage Arms can be taught before the Roll Up to deepen the connection of how the arms moving from the back. By deepening student’s connections they can gain more control and precision.

    It is important to practice layering the fundamentals between exercises and not lose flow.  The following is a sample of a mat flow workout with fundamentals:

    • Imprinting
    • Iso-Abs
    • Head Nod
    • Neck Curl
    • Hundred
    • Rib Cage Arms
    • Roll Up
    • Knee Spreads
    • Leg Circles
    • Rolling Like a Ball
    • Knee Folds
    • Single Leg Stretch
    • Double Leg Stretch
    • Criss Cross
    • Spine Stretch Forward
    • Saw
    • Flight
    • Swan
    • Side Kick Series
    • Seal

    If you teach reformer, apply the deep connections found in the mat to the reformer work.  By doing this, students learn that the connections established with the fundamentals are applicable to many different exercises and in different body positions. Here are some examples:

    • Imprinting and Iso-Abs before Footwork
    • Knee Folds right before legs come up for the Hundred
    • Cue Rib Cage Arms as arms lift to set up for Short Box: Flat and Side
    • Point out the application of Flight during Long Box: Pulling Strap I

    Remember that fundamentals successfully teach students how to work mindfully with control, concentration and precision. I encourage you to be an instructor that chooses to set a strong foundation and one that is committed to every student’s progress.

    Good Luck!

    - Sonia Rodriguez, Peak Pilates Master Trainer

    Posted Oct 30 2008, 10:38 AM by Sonia with no comments
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  • Get in the Zone!

    How do you “get into the zone” during your workouts? How do keep yourself true to the discipline of clean transitions, advancing your own practice and challenging your own personal ideal? Where do you give yourself slack? One of the things I have learned over and over again in the years of my teaching is that the commitment to my own practice is directly related to the quality of my teaching. When I keep my practice strong I find myself so much more engaged, focused, excited and energized not only in my teaching, but also in my daily life. I realized early on the more I personally do Pilates, the more I have to share about it. Romana once told me that if I stay true to the method, the method would reveal itself and stay true to me. What did she mean by that? 

    For me, it is simply a matter of working with three important factors. First, I intentionally work full out every time I practice. This means to go for quality and not to skimp when I don’t feel like it. I challenge my personal best by maintaining awareness of extraneous movements and by focusing on precision and movement quality, reaching for the goal of the exercise.

    By working with a balance of tempo and control with squeaky-clean transitions, a new world of discovery opens up for the one-hour I give myself. I know the places in the workout where I have choices to include a variation or perhaps omit something, making instantaneous decisions about how and why to do so; always mindful of where I am going next. I notice the nuances occurring in the moment and work get the feeling or purpose of the exercise starting with the first repetition and then carry it through to resolution in as few repetitions as possible. Sounds like a tall order, but that is what goes on in my head. Experience has taught me that by going deeper in my personal practice, gems of insight are a joyful reward.  

    The second factor, which reliably draws me into the zone, is to breathe as full and deep as I can right from the first exercise, whether it is on the mat or reformer. This works like a charm to clear my mind and begin the flow of the session. I get in tune with the reformer springs and listen to my breath in time with the sound of the springs working with the movement. I can hear the quality of movement by the sounds I hear. Immediately aware of tension or sluggishness in my body through the breath, I can control the way I feel. Bad mood, good mood it doesn’t matter; after a few good oxygenated breaths in timing with the movement I am on my way to the zone. Early connection with full breathing also creates a deeper powerhouse connection and helps set the rhythm for the entire session.

    The third factor that keeps me on point is to keep the workout fresh, fun and varied. Some of this is a matter of session design. Will today’s workout be on the reformer, reformer mat, reformer on the Cadillac, or will it be on the chair and barrels? What kind of fun can I create for myself in this one hour of playtime?  What discoveries can I make? How can I make this hour really matter to add value to my day? What can I do in this workout to make it feel worthwhile? So a combination of what I bring to the experience is as important as it is deciding what workout design I choose.

    Challenging my ideal for that particular day continues to mean honoring my body and at the same time reaching for my edge. When I expect the best from myself, I feel confident asking the same from my clients. We are role models for our clients and when our energy is bright and clear our clients pick up on that and are uplifted as a result. Energy begets energy.

    Pilates is a practice, not a performance and there are always places I can improve. That for me is part of the ongoing discovery into self-mastery that captured my imagination when I first began Pilates and what keeps me coming back for more.

    - Clare Dunphy, Peak Pilates Master Trainer

    Posted Oct 13 2008, 01:37 PM by Clare with no comments
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  • After Thoughts: Inspired by Dallas Mania

    Last month I had the privilege of teaching several MVe workshops at Dallas Mania. It was a great convention and our MVe Chair was well received and it was great to see so many of our MVe instructors. However, many of the attendees were not Pilates instructors and it was amazing to see how well their bodies moved on the MVe Chair. What set the non-experienced attendees up for success was the thorough explanation of the basic alignment tools – specifically Pilates Stance, Powerhouse, Scoop, Box, Centerline and Opposition. These alignment tools were explained before the workout portion of the workshop. This provided simple connections using simple words. Simplicity is powerful!

    In seeing these attendees move with such control, it made me smile and recognize how simple Pilates can really be. If a first time student could move so well in a group setting, why do we sometimes feel Pilates is so complicated? It is no wonder why the fitness community has stayed away for so long. However, Peak Pilates’ MVe Chair and our other Pilates education programs help to demystify Pilates and are attracting individuals of all different backgrounds.

    Not only has the MVe Chair made Pilates less complicated, it has made Pilates less intimidating to the fitness community as well. As a result, the MVe has stimulated more interest in the classical mat and reformer work. It is like going in through the back door!

    I have used this realization in my own personal studio. When I have a potential client walk into my studio, I ask questions that help me understand where the client is coming from and try to find the right starting point for them. I find out if they have been more exposed to yoga, group fitness classes or personal training. I also ask if they play sports. If I draw the conclusion that their background is more of a fitness experience, many times I will suggest the MVe Chair. It is a comfortable starting point for them. Many of my clients, who started out in MVe Chair classes, are now taking classical mat and reformer classes. Yeah!!!!

    What is even more powerful than that is when these “fitness” clients then bring in their “fitness” friends. Boy… when you can get “fitness” clients referring their “fitness” friends to Pilates… well… you get the picture!

    - Sonia Rodriguez, Peak Pilates Master Trainer

    Posted Sep 25 2008, 02:09 PM by Sonia with no comments
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  • Getting Back into the Swing of Things

    I have a new goal for my Pilates practice. I want to get back to being able to do a full Bridge on the reformer, which I haven’t been able to do since before my hip surgery. So here is the strategy I am using to help me reach my goal, I hope it helps you too.

    I start with either the mat or reformer to get warmed up, usually in the intermediate/advanced order. Then I go to the Spine Corrector and do a sequence of Arm Stretch and Circles followed by the Leg Series, Leg Circles onto Head, and Back Bend with feet on the hump of the Barrel. This sequence provides chest and hip stretches, gentle spine extension strength and leads up to the back bend with the feet elevated on the hump of the Barrel. If I hadn’t done the second Long Box on the reformer, I do it next on the Spine Corrector with Grasshopper, Rocking and Swimming followed by a couple of simple roll downs from a standing position. 

    Next I go to the High Barrel to deepen the stretches of my spine in all directions:  Side Stretches, Backward Stretch and Backward Stretch Hanging. After those deep stretches I work strength again with the Swan and Horseback holding two pound weights. I always balance out Spine Extension with a counter movement in flexion.

    As an ending, I go to the Cadillac for the traditional ending including Breathing, Spread Eagle, Pull Ups and Hanging Pull Ups. I omit the Hanging since it is contraindicated due to my hip replacement. 

    I do this routine two to three times per week. Once a week I focus on the super advanced reformer (with the help of a teacher who can spot me) so I can begin to work in the Headstands, Breaststroke, Backbends to the footbar (after Thigh Stretch) and with a lot of help, just pressing up to the full Bridge.

    If I am short on time, I do a mini-mat followed by this routine and can get in done in 20 minutes. Stay tuned… I will let you know how it works by New Years!

    - Clare Dunphy, Peak Pilates Master Trainer

    Posted Sep 09 2008, 05:03 PM by Clare with no comments
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  • Baby Boomers Bearing "Boo-Boos"

    Baby Boomers Bearing "Boo-Boos”- say that five-times-fast!

    Like most of you, the majority of my clientele are Baby Boomers. Baby Boomers is the term given to the generation of Americans who were born during a "baby boom" following World War II. Baby Boomers were born between 1944 and 1964. My Baby Boomers are very active. I love this population! This group is healthy, mobile and very adventurous when it comes to their recreational activities. They are doing everything they can to stay fit and healthy. Ironically, because they are so active and adventurous, they are getting many “boo-boos.” They are walking into the Pilates studio with tennis elbow, twisted ankles, sore backs – and once in a while – even broken bones. But nothing is going to stop them! They are going to “live” until they die!
     
    So, how can we, as instructors, support these clients? We understand that Pilates is a functional exercise, so put it to use. My suggestion is simple. Choose appropriate individual needs exercises and apply Pilates connections to their recreational activities. This is simple, effective and empowering.

    First, understand what activities your client participates in. Does he or she run, cycle, swim, hike, golf, play tennis or basketball? Once you understand this, you should choose the individual needs exercises that are going to bring awareness to the connections that are needed during their physical activities. For example, during Going Up Front on the high chair, point out how the proper activation of the glutes and Powerhouse prevents the pelvis from tilting anteriorly avoiding low back pain or discomfort. Then ask them to think of this the next time they are hiking up a mountain. This could be the reason your client’s low back hurts each time they hike. 

    Furthermore, these specific connections should not just be emphasized during the individual needs exercises, but throughout the entire session as the opportunities present themselves.  For example, for the client who swims and tends to agitate the low back, point out the correct use of the glutes during Beats on the Belly or during Swimming. I can’t tell you how thankful your client will be.

    By increasing your clients’ body awareness during their Pilates sessions and during their recreational activity, you will reduce their discomfort and prevent injury. Most importantly, you will empower them to take care of the only body they have. This will allow them to continue enjoying the recreational activities they love for a very long time. 

    Go Baby Boomers!

    - Sonia Rodriguez, Peak Pilates Master Trainer

    Posted Aug 28 2008, 10:30 AM by Sonia with no comments
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