Sample Class: Body-Mind Fusion

Fusion classes typically combine two or
more formats, equipment choices and
training methods. Sometimes these cross-
training opportunities can yield more benefits
than practicing a single discipline. This
sample class draws from the influences of
yoga, Pilates, tai chi and the Feldenkrais
Method®. Feel free to replicate the class exactly,
or use it to stimulate your creative
process to fuse something of your own.

Body-Mind Fusion Details

FORMAT: triplanar body-mind fusion

TOTAL TIME: 30 minutes

EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Yoga sticky
mats enhance the experience but are not
required.

MUSIC: Mindful, slow music with no
distracting, steady background beat
works best. Choose songs that promote
introspection and relaxation.

PROTOCOL: This class experience
trains proximal stability first (primarily
through yoga) and then enhances and
challenges that stability by adding distal
mobility (primarily through Pilates). The
addition of energy work (tai chi) at the
beginning and end completes this triplanar
functional core class. The exercises
celebrate all spinal movements (flexion,
extension, lateral flexion and rotation).
Although the Feldenkrais Method® is not
specifically referred to in the body of the
class, whenever we perform an exercise
with eyes closed to promote a more
mindful inner journey, we invoke
concepts from this discipline.

Breathing:
•
Teach participants to breathe in
the way that is most natural for them.

•
For a more traditional approach, hold
yoga-inspired postures for five breath
cycles on each side, breathing through
the nose. For every Pilates-inspired
movement, inhale through the nose to
prepare, and exhale through the
mouth during the main movement.

•
Teach only as many repetitions as is
safely challenging.

•
Cue participants to avoid holding
their breath.

•

Remind students to continue breathing
in each discipline, regardless of the
specific technique.

Teaching Tools: I’ve found that the following
formula works best when leading
fusion formats, because it promotes consistency.
Every section begins with the letter
“P” to help you remember the steps:

•
pose and position (How do we set up
and prepare for this posture?)

•
purpose (Why are we doing this?)

•
prana (How should we breathe?)

•
progression/regression (How do we
increase/decrease the difficulty for all
levels?)

•
past (Which discipline inspired this
exercise?)

Main Work Section

The following movements “fuse” into one
another, creating a seamless transition
(see chart below).

Lawrence Biscontini, MA, has won instructor-of-the-year awards from ACE (2002),
IDEA (2004) and Can-Fit-Pro (specialty presenter,
2004). He is an international wellness
and spa consultant and possesses multiple
personal training and group certifications.
Find out more about him at www.find
lawrence.com.