It’s no cosmic revelation that every person in the universe is unique in Mind, Body and Spirit. Part of what makes us who we are is from what we see, ear and feel — its individual and personal. Therefore when we talk about Pilates instruction and teaching — all instructors/ teachers are very individual as they determine their focus and approach to a body.
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The True Pilates Sydney Community
Last week we hosted our studio’s Christmas Party for 2017 — the sense of community was well and truly alive as we came in celebration to toast the end of the year and more importantly to our Pilates community of clients and peers.
Read MorePilates — Technique and Precision
Pilates demonstration of true strength, co-ordination and control stems from technique and precision. It is more than just being on a reformer and working up a sweat. Pilates is about moving with intention — technique, and being mindful of its execution — precision.
Read MoreDefine Pilates — What is Traditional Pilates? Part 2
On top of the various Pilates methods available, the exercise world adds to the confusion by cooking up some inventive derivatives of Pilates. Through all the haze of what is Pilates in all its methods and derivatives — the Traditional Method endeavours to stay true to the original method that was taught by Joseph Pilates himself.
Read MoreDefine Pilates - Part 1
Pilates is not Yoga. It is not a relaxation stretch class. It is not physiotherapy. Pilates is exercise — a weight resistance strength methodology that is progressive with over 500 exercises across various Pilates apparatus. It was invented in the 1920’s by a fitness expert named Joseph Pilates.
Pilates focuses on strengthening the deep core muscles of the torso; abdominals, hips, lower back and buttocks — which as a collective, Pilates himself coined the ‘Powerhouse’. Pilates is progressive and adaptive — as one grows in strength, the level of difficulty and intensity of the exercises escalates and becomes more aerobic. For complete strength, control and endurance in the body, all Pilates exercises work the extremities (arms and legs) as ‘extensions of the Powerhouse’.
Read MoreThe Benefits of Private Pilates Classes
The popularity of mainstream Pilates has seen it evolve from gyms to more specialised Pilates studios. This evolution is a step in the right direction, but I sometimes wonder if some studios haven’t simply applied a gym class mentality to the Pilates method.
Read MoreTHE SPINE & PILATES - Back Pain Rehabilitation
It is no secret that Pilates is great for back pain management, maintaining spine health and prevention of back injuries. Why? Because Pilates is all about stabilising and strengthening the trunk to support the spine. We refer to this as strengthening the ‘Powerhouse’.
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EATING & LIVING; PILATES
These days people function so much on autopilot without much thought to what they eat, drink and how they move. People as a whole eat too much, and food choices are dictated more by convenience and costs rather than health and wellbeing. I’ll be honest — I am not a fan of trending diets and not at all calories conscious — albeit consuming or burning. I am a cynical generalist when it comes to diets and exercise, preferring to defer to how I ‘feel’ to determine what is good, bad, beautiful or ugly for my health and body.
Read MoreTHE ART OF PILATES INSTRUCTION
Teaching is a skill — it can make all the difference to the inspiration; breathing life or indifference into commitments. In my experience, there are two fundamental parts to teaching; ‘Reading the individual’ and ‘instruction’.
Read MoreCHEEKY PILATES MONKEY - 2016
Following the season of merriment, I hope everyone has fronted up to 2016 with a fresher perspective and ready for what is to be the year of Cheeky Fire Monkey. Happy New Year to all — my off the cuff short wishlist for 2016!
Read MoreWORKING TOWARD A SMARTER BODY
These days strength and fitness regimes are primarily based on weights and repetition or by distance. It is important to note that although these progressions increase strength and endurance respectively, it does not necessarily increase the intelligence of ones’ body. In short — being fit does not mean the body is intelligent.
Read MoreChristmas Aliens; Exercise & Moderation
We have officially entered the twilight zone of debauchery. Yes — I’m talking about Christmas season. When work colleagues, friends and family are all part of a cunning plan to debunk everything you have worked so hard for through the year. It is the only month in the year when healthy eating and exercise regiments are traded in favour of excess eating and drinking in forms of work, social and family commitments.
Read MorePILATES & WHITEWATER
Of late I have been obsessing over my new found passion — whitewater kayaking. One might mistake its overtaken my love for Pilates, however this couldn’t be further from the truth. If anything it reaffirms my belief in the value of the Pilates method as a formidable strength training program that is intelligent and transferable.
Read MoreHUMBLE BEGINNINGS — Pilates’ 6 Principles
Sometimes as teachers we become so engrossed in the practice of teaching and training, we take for granted we started the same way — as a beginner. We forget precepts were prescribed and drilled into our practice as opposed to them miraculously appearing in our work and practice.
Read MorePilates and the ELEPHANT in the room
The popularity of Pilates has given rise to a market that is flooded with poorly trained instructors. With organisations in the business of making money opposed to maintaining the integrity of the Pilates method — certifications are fast becoming a matter of convenience and mediocrity.
Read MoreEXERCISE - VITALITY vs VANITY
Is looking good more marketable than feeling good?
When did fitness become all about abs and (very little) lycra? Speaking as someone from the fitness industry, this stereotype really grates. Especially when it advocates the least important benefit of exercise.
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Working all planes with Cyclists
It is common knowledge that muscle imbalance leads to dysfunctional movement and inefficient energy output. This article explores how working muscle balance through exercises such as Pilates can give cyclists more power and energy reserve to push longer and harder on their rides.
Read MoreAN ANECDOTE TO ENLIGHTENMENT
Meditation is a state of mind — you can find it in the oddest places and from the unlikeliest things.
On my way to the studio every morning, my senses are assaulted with music of this generation. It stupifies me why I choose main stream radio pop stations as my preferred white noise. Maybe its to snap myself out of the early morning stupor and focus on the hours of teaching ahead of me. Three things comes to mind while the noise persists in the background;
Read MoreMy Pilates History - Autobiography
It is true many Pilates instructors do come from a dance background as its a logical segue from dance with both disciplines being about body awareness and movement. However there are many of us like myself that don't fall into this stereotype.
Read MoreUpper Back and Neck Atrophy borne in office environments
“Inactivity is another culprit for stiffness… move it or lose it”
The modern age sees more and more people sitting at desks for prolonged periods and the tri-factor of 1) typing 2) mouse moving and 3) phone answering, is a recipe for tight upper backs and stiff necks. It is common knowledge that muscles become tight from overuse but the lesser known culprit for tightness is inactivity and underuse — thus weakness.
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