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Exercise Program Design

Teaching Pilates Mat Work, Part 1

“It is the spirit that builds the body.” This quote from 18th century German poet Friedrich Schiller was displayed–in its original language–in Joseph Pilates’ New York studio for more than 50 years.

The Future of Pilates

T“The Future of Pilates,” a unique, innovative and thought-provoking panel discussion, was presented to an overflowing room of enthusiastic attendees last September at the 2008 Inner IDEA Conference, held at the La Quinta Resort & Club near Palm Springs, California.

A Pilates Success Story

Greg arrived at my studio in pain, and in a wheelchair. Thirty years ago he broke his back during a “night jump” in Vietnam.

Pilates for the Overweight Client

Michele is in her early 40s and, at 5 feet 7 inches, weighs approximately 265 pounds. She started Pilates for weight management, balance, core training and overall fitness, and became an instant fan. “I love the quiet strength it builds in my body through very subtle motions, but at the same time the workout is as tough as nails,” she says. “The more advanced I become, [the more I find] there’s another layer to address. As I lose weight, it becomes even more challenging as I continue to connect with my body.”

Mind-Body Research Update

Recently, as co-chair of a medical conference on the metabolic syndrome and dyslipidemia, I seized the chance to slip a short discussion of yoga-based lifestyle research into a long day of clinical trial expositions that mostly focused on lipid-lowering drug studies. I felt somewhat meek describing a number of relatively small studies, all done on small budgets, while most clinical trials being discussed were 50- to 200-million-dollar studies sponsored by the pharmaceutical industry or the National Institutes of Health [NIH].

Teaching Pilates Mat Work

“It is the spirit that builds the body.” This quote from 18th century German poet Friedrich Schiller was displayed—in its original language—in Joseph Pilates’ New York studio for more than 50 years. Many first-generation teachers who trained with Joe Pilates refer to his studio as a school. They say, “You were there to study movement: to perfect your movement.” In his classroom, Joe was the professor and the subject was the road to happiness (his word for wellness).

Sample Pilates Exercise: Single Leg Stretch

The following exercise is taken from the STOTT PILATES® Comprehensive Matwork Manual.

Target Muscles: transversus abdominis to compress abdomen and stabilize lumbo-pelvic region; deep pelvic floor to aid in firing transversus; rectus abdominis and obliques to sustain thoracic flexion and pelvic stability; obliques and multifidus specifically to prevent rocking of pelvis against reciprocal leg movement; hip flexors eccentrically as leg reaches away and concentrically as leg returns; scapular stabilizers.

Creating a Safe Space for Obese Pilates Clients

The work of Joseph Pilates was developed more than 80 years ago during a time when the population was made up of far fewer obese individuals. Today we have a chance to reach out to this population and apply Pilates techniques and principles to a demographic that desperately needs to be introduced to the powerhouse.

Feedback From the Field: Proper Pilates Regression

In a previous issue of Inner IDEA Body-Mind-Spirit Review, we asked: How do you suggest a regression to a Pilates student who is performing beyond her ability? “When I see that my classes and/or clients are working too hard and losing the proper form then I know it is time for a change.

Pilates Workout: The Magic Circle

First created and named by Joseph Pilates himself, the “magic circle” remains a versatile and highly effective tool for today’s Pilates practitioners. Space-efficient and transportable, it is an ideal small-equipment…

Sample Class: Pilates 50/50

Pilates 50/50 is a combination class that fuses lower-body standing moves with mat exercises for a balanced mind-body experience that emphasizes Pilates principles. By moving Pilates into a vertical position, you bring a more functional experience to participants while continuing to offer the key elements of core control and optimal spinal alignment. The standing work is also a great way to warm the entire body for more effective spinal movement during the mat exercises.

Pilates and Golf

Tight chest muscles. Reduced flexibility in the torso. Strained shoulders and a sore back. Unfortunately, that’s the description of many amateur and weekend golfers. Golfers habitually bend and twist, bend and twist—all the while straining their backs and shoulders, forming muscle imbalances and inviting injury.

Pilates-Based Moves for Low-Back Pain

Do your clients describe themselves as having a “bad back?” If so, their complaints are not uncommon. The American Association of Neurological Surgeons reports that more than 65 million Americans suffer from low-back pain every year.

Pilates Cuing Is an Art

Proper cuing is the essence of teaching Pilates. The learned skill of communicating effectively to a client on all levels is a critical ingredient of top-notch cuing. Moira Merrithew, co-founder of STOTT PILATES® and its executive director of education, says that successful cuing has the effect of “getting [clients] to move efficiently through an exercise, so they get the most out of it. That could mean performing a movement with a specific intention quality or with the correct muscular engagement and muscle-firing patterns.

Practical Programming for Pilates

Considering adding a full-on Pilates program or some new Pilates offerings to your studio’s programming? Are you eyeing mat, apparatus, group sessions, private sessions, specialty classes or all of the above? Many factors must be weighed in your selection of class type, equipment and the minimum instructor skills you’ll accept.

Feedback From the Field: My Pilates Reformer

In a previous issue of Inner IDEA Body-Mind-Spirit Review,we asked: "What is your favorite and least favorite thing about working with the Pilates reformer? How would you describe your relationship with this piece of equipment?"

Conscious Fusion Fitness

The popularity of yoga and Pilates has spawned several fun and effective fusion offerings. This particular class uses “traditional” fitness-based exercises as the foundation and then layers on Pilates moves and yoga postures. The design trains strength, balance and flexibility in a conscious manner.

Pilates Exercises for Breast Cancer: Rebuilding the Foundation, Part One

According to the National Cancer Institute, approximately 2.4 million women living in the United States in 2004 had been treated for breast cancer (American Cancer Society 2007). Fortunately, thanks to early detection and advancements in treatment, many more women will survive breast cancer