Pilates Scene

I will be tuning in, so exciting to see Pilates professionals talking about the art of teaching, not just what to teach.

Promo Manual Cueing Series from Skillful Teaching on Vimeo.

This really is one of my personal favourite areas to work with in the studio.

Here are a selection of resources that are worth your time, some research, a questionable exercise and a nice simple shoulder massage –

The Sports Physio on the Upper Traps
“But what about those studies suggesting that we need less UT activation compared to MT or LT such as the work done by Ann Cools et al 2007. ”
The delicate balance in working with the shoulder girdle.
“Truly well-meaning instructors taught you to teach compression rather than dynamic stability. Compression is absolutely one form of stabilization and strength, but it limits mobility and can de remarkable destructive to joints and all that run through and around them.”

And then there’s this, which I am not so sure about….
Shoulder Blade Squeeze
Begin this exercise standing or sitting with your back straight. Your chin should be tucked in slightly and your shoulders should be back slightly. Slowly squeeze your shoulder blades together as hard and far as possible provided it is pain free (figure 1). Hold for 5 seconds and repeat 10 times.

Physiofacebook gives you loads of clips of great relevance to the Pilates Instructor into rehab.

Brilliant images and words on cocontracting the serratus anterior and the traps for shoulder stability. Continue reading…

Chrissy Romani Ruby shares her repertoire ideas on balancing the tight ITB.

A great visual aid to see how the abs assist, and bring to life the differing focus on abs vs hip flexors in this exercise. See it through to the end to get some safety and teaching tips.

Sit-up / Curl-up Anatomy and Kinesiology

Aleisa George – “To effectively work the Abdominals for core conditioning it is optimal to target the core when the Quadriceps muscles are relaxed. To help get the Quads relaxed, it is most effective to strengthen the opposing muscle groups, which would be the Glutes and Hamstrings.” Continue reading…

Mr Pilates in action

Romana video

Joe and Clara Pilates

With Carola Trier and Jillian Hessell

Thanks to Marguerite Ogle Pilates.com for these links.

If you, like many PP’s I have seen, are teaching squats, commonly against the fit ball at the wall, you will enjoy watching this muscular piecing together of what is happening, or should be happening.

Anatomy of a squat from www.MuscleandMotion.com. Seeing this brings the ‘lead up with your hips’ or ‘push your ASIS forward’ cues to life.