Pilates Articles

For more than 30 years, Michael King has been a passionate and perceptive ambassador for the Pilates method. Reminiscent of Billy Elliot in the acclaimed movie, King grew up in Scunthorpe, England, a Northern steel town, and was the first boy from the North Lincolnshire area to become a dancer. newsletter_teaser: For more than 30 years, Michael King has been a passionate and perceptive ambassador for the Pilates method. Reminiscent of Billy Elliot in the acclaimed movie, King grew up in Scunthorpe, England, a Northern steel town, and was the first boy from the North Lincolnshire area to become a dancer.

Yoga, Pilates and cardio kickboxing have the highest percentages of first-time participants, according to the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association’s [SGMA’s] Sports Participation in America 2010 report. Overall numbers showed a 2.6% decline in Pilates participation between 2008 and 2009, continuing the trend first seen in the 2009 report. Core participation, however, increased 8.7%, indicating that people committed to Pilates have been sticking with the program. Overall participation was reported as 8.653 million.

The success of Pilates has sparked an explosion of innovative programs and props, but does all that creativity dilute the essence of Pilates or enhance its appeal and accessibility for a broader audience? Here’s what several industry leaders have to say.newsletter_teaser: The success of Pilates has sparked an explosion of innovative programs and props, but does all that creativity dilute the essence of Pilates or enhance its appeal and accessibility for a broader audience? Here’s what several industry leaders have to say.

On May 27, 2010, Kathy Stanford Grant passed away at the age of 89. A dancer, choreographer and protégé of Joseph Pilates, Grant taught the Pilates method for over 50 years. Her wisdom is the foundation of many programs and exercises being taught around the world today. Her lessons continue through the work of countless Pilates teachers. Here are a few lessons learned from Kathy Grant. newsletter_teaser: On May 27, 2010, Kathy Stanford Grant passed away at the age of 89. A dancer, choreographer and protégé of Joseph Pilates, Grant taught the Pilates method for over 50 years. Her wisdom is the foundation of many programs and exercises being taught around the world today. Her lessons continue through the work of countless Pilates teachers. Here are a few lessons learned from Kathy Grant.

In part two of “Fix Your Feet With Pilates,” Kathryn Ross-Nash, author and Pilates teacher, affirms that Pilates is excellent for helping to correct and prevent foot problems: “I believe we need to remind our clients regularly about the importance of taking care of their feet. We need to train the feet just as we do the rest of the body. newsletter_teaser: In part two of “Fix Your Feet With Pilates,” Kathryn Ross-Nash, author and Pilates teacher, affirms that Pilates is excellent for helping to correct and prevent foot problems: “I believe we need to remind our clients regularly about the importance of taking care of their feet. We need to train the feet just as we do the rest of the body.

How can Pilates teachers be creative and still stay true to their roots? And what are the essential tenets that define “true” Pilates anyway? We asked several prominent Pilates instructors, who told us that keeping it real is about a lot more than just the exercises you choose. Question: In the fitness setting, how can Pilates programs stay “true” to Pilates principles? Cuing Countsnewsletter_teaser: How can Pilates teachers be creative and still stay true to their roots? And what are the essential tenets that define “true” Pilates anyway? We asked several prominent Pilates instructors, who told us that keeping it real is about a lot more than just the exercises you choose.

Healthy feet are critical to good health. Although they are the foundation of the human body, many of us give little attention to their proper care. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons reports that 43.1 million people in the United States (1 in 6) have problems with their feet. Thirty-six percent regard these foot problems as serious enough to warrant medical attention (AAOS 2006).newsletter_teaser: Healthy feet are critical to good health. Although they are the foundation of the human body, many of us give little attention to their proper care. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons reports that 43.1 million people in the United States (1 in 6) have problems with their feet. Thirty-six percent regard these foot problems as serious enough to warrant medical attention (AAOS 2006).

This spring, CNBC reported that Pilates is the nation’s fastest-growing activity, with 8.6 million participants, up more than 450% since 2000, based on the most recent report from the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association. In reality, participation may have peaked mid-decade (American Sports Data Inc. reported 10.5 million participants in 2004), but clearly Pilates has staying power. The 2010 IDEA Fitness Programs & Equipment Trends report found that Pilates continues to grow while several other mind-body formats are declining.newsletter_teaser: This spring, CNBC reported that Pilates is the nation’s fastest-growing activity, with 8.6 million participants, up more than 450% since 2000, based on the most recent report from the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association. In reality, participation may have peaked mid-decade (American Sports Data Inc. reported 10.5 million participants in 2004), but clearly Pilates has staying power. The 2010 IDEA Fitness Programs & Equipment Trends report found that Pilates continues to grow while several other mind-body formats are declining.

First-generation Pilates master teacher, Jay Grimes has well-defined opinions about the way the Pilates method should be taught and is certainly not shy about expressing them. “Teaching is the communication of knowledge and ideas and one presumes that you have that knowledge and those ideas before you begin to communicate,” he affirms. “Talking is one way to communicate about Pilates but you can also do it with a touch, a look, an expression, by using body language or with silence. newsletter_teaser: First-generation Pilates master teacher, Jay Grimes has well-defined opinions about the way the Pilates method should be taught and is certainly not shy about expressing them. “Teaching is the communication of knowledge and ideas and one presumes that you have that knowledge and those ideas before you begin to communicate,” he affirms. “Talking is one way to communicate about Pilates but you can also do it with a touch, a look, an expression, by using body language or with silence.

When a client who has multiple physical challenges comes to your practice it can cause a certain amount of anxiety. Before you even schedule the first session, do a thorough phone interview so you can get a strong sense of what issues the client presents. You must also get a physician’s release for exercise. If the client has been seeing a physical therapist, speak with him or her to help you understand the client’s contraindications. newsletter_teaser: When a client who has multiple physical challenges comes to your practice it can cause a certain amount of anxiety. Before you even schedule the first session, do a thorough phone interview so you can get a strong sense of what issues the client presents. You must also get a physician’s release for exercise. If the client has been seeing a physical therapist, speak with him or her to help you understand the client’s contraindications.