Pilates News

November 13, 2008

Today, two friends of mine, a doctor (http://mhemingwaymd.com/) and an acupuncturist, Becky Schirber and I will be giving a presentation on a variety of preventative health measures.

I will speak about using movement to alleviate common tensions and imbalances in the body, and als0 speak about the fact that HOW we move is just as important as THAT we move.

We all know about the importance of form, of doing exercises in the right way, but cognitively understanding that and actually being able to do it are two different things. Often, we do not have a sense of where we actually are in space and whether or not we are in alignment. For example, we always carry our purse slung over one shoulder, or swing the golf-club in one direction, and over time, the muscles adjust to this lopsided movement, eventually pulling the bone structure with them. Then we think we are standing straight, even though all of our weight is on one leg only, one hip is hiked up and we are unconsciously tilting our head to compensate. Everyone is a little 'crooked'!!

Usually though, we can manage this, and no serious trouble has to come from it: First of all through awareness, then through developing a sense for what it actually is to be straight. As banal as this might sound, most people do not know. And then by using attention to basic rules and ways to perform exercises in order to even out our imbalances as much as possible.

For example there is no rule that says that your shoulders should be up by your ears when lifting arm-weights. You can learn to engage the backmuscles in a way that will take the tension out of your shoulders, connect your movement to your core and in the procecss, help you discover a whole new way of doing everyday tasks from raking leaves to lugging boxes without the 'side-effects' in back and shoulders you might be used to.

It is a lot of fun to be able to learn about ease and strength at the same time!

November 12, 2008

Last week I attended a Pilates conference in Phoenix - it was fantastic. I learned a lot and got even more inspired about the potential of the exercises and the genius of Pilates and his wife Clara. I attented workshops with two of the First generation teachers, who studied with Pilates himself and at ages 87 and 89 are living proof of the benefits of the method in their upright posture and ease of movement.

September 12, 2008

It's been such a good summer! And too busy to write!
Seeing so many clients really make progress through their commitment and consistency over these past three months was very rewarding...Judy B,70, who had not worked out ever and hated it, is becoming so much more agile. Elyse F., 58 and very advanced, has arrived at an incredible ease in her movements and breathing. Leonard L, 85, has strengthened his shoulders and can lift his arms noticeably higher than at the beginning of the summer, and Bob F's back is straightening out, probably thanks to the regular use of the powerplate. And the two 14 year old dancers from New Mexico had a great time discovering their powerhouses.
I learned a lot from all of them.
Now I am looking for an already certified, mature instructor who can come and learn the kind of Pilates I teach and work with me next summer.

July 12, 2008 - Pilates and the Stronger Sex

I have been so busy working that there has not been time to write - people are keen to do Pilates!
I am seeing more men this year, but noticably it is only men that have serious health issues. It seems that the average, able-bodied men doesn't consider Pilates a useful workout. They haven't seen what an advanced Pilates practitioner can do!! But for those who do practise it, it is a wonderfully controlled and empowering way to work around whatever the trouble area might be, and it keeps amazing me how much people can do even if there are serious physical limitations. They inspire me - by not giving in or giving up, they are defying the standard assumptions about their condition. They are truly fighting to keep their bodies the best they can be - which often is a lot more than a text-book would suggest.

May 26, 2008 I was working with L.F. today - her kneesurgery now lies back 10 weeks and she has not been able - or not tried - to do any exercise in this time. She was so thankful for being on the equipment again. It helped her stretch and lengthen not only her hamstrings and quads, which had gotten very weak and tight, but also her waist and hips. "I don't know why I didn't come back earlier" she said. I was struck again by how useful Pilates is in rehabilitation after injury and surgery, how easiy it can be adapted to any physical condition and still be very effective.
May 11 - Is your eye-sight getting weaker every year? Do you keep needing stronger glasses/ lenses? At "Pilates in the Berkshires - Health in Motion" I am experimenting with Eye-Qi-Gong. A series of very simple exercises for those muscles that get tired and lazy as we age and make it harder to focus on things close by. Eye Qi Gong is simple and very effetive almost instantly and doesn't take much time. You can even do it while walking, taking a shower or brushing your teeth! With it's help I keep pulling my own eyes back from the brink of needing reading glasses - a great feeling at 48! If you would like to find out more, e-mail me and I will send you instructions, free of charge and obligation. Too good to be true? Only through trying it out can you find out whether it works or not!
To your health, Uli

April 23 - It's always good to go back to the basics. Even if you have done Pilates for a long time, and especially if you have done it by yourself, it is always good to revisit the simple exercises - to deepen the C-Curve, to release the hip flexors, to work on more articulation of the spine.
To your health, Uli

I have also found that especially the beginners and intermediate mat workout with their emphasis of flexion of the spine can give some people too much tightness in the front of the hip, so we balance that by doing simple extensions or using the foam roller or ball to lengthen this area.
To your health, Uli

April 21 - There are now 3 clients - and myself - who are reporting noticeable changes in chronic or acute pain (arthritic hands and backpain)by using the Powerplate for 3 or 4 minutes each session. It seems to be a good addition to Pilates, adding another dimension to the workout.
To your health, Uli

April 19 - As wonderful and important as it is, ultimately there is only a limited benefit to getting fit and healthy through exercise without taking into considertion things like diet and the outer environment as well - nature! Ultimately it's all part of the one picture!
What is around us is also in us!
To your health, Uli

April 17 The other day I was talking to my client G. about why we don't get bored practising Pilates. She has been coming to work with me for 8 years and said that it is because of the inner focus during the work-out.( Not everyone feels that way, but it's really one of the principles of Pilates - concentration and focus) And A. also a long term client and teacher herself, says, it's because it always feels so good!
To your health, Uli