The Challenging Clients…

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Thank you!
Simplicity = Understanding
If it’s complicated, it probably isn’t correct.
The hierarchy/pyramid of “correctness” or Truth: Simple is on the top and Complicated is on the bottom.
If it takes more than three short sentences to explain…you don’t know what you’re talking about.
Wow! That was a loaded introductory paragraph!
This statement I’m making applies to all of Life…including Pilates.
You see…though aspects of existence, including movement, appear complex, they are truly simplistic and minimalistic at the core. The building blocks of anything are not intricate. Everything can be broken down into basic components. If you can’t break it down basic components, then you don’t actually understand it. That’s OK…just means there’s more work to be done.
How does this apply to Pilates?
When a client asks “why do we pump our arms in The Hundred?” The answer ought to be simple:
The rapid, big movement of the arms challenges your ability to stabilize your torso and outstretched legs and revs up your cardio-vascular system.
Done.
Any more complicated than that…you don’t really know the answer.
More study in the right places.
Look for simplicity.
Along the same lines, the answer for “my left hip, right shoulder and neck hurt…also my right ankle and sometimes my knees. What’s wrong with me?” It’s not 5 separate ailments. It’s one. Which one? All. We’re a completely connected organism. Any imbalance to one area is an imbalance of the whole. Pain in one area always begets pain or dysfunction in another in the action of creating balance…even if that balance also creates pain and discomfort. So the answer to your client…”nothing is wrong with you. You are human having a full body response to being imbalanced. Good thing you’re here!” And then what will you focus on? Each of these areas separately? No. That would be complicated. Go to the fusebox of movement and stability in the body…the pelvis and spine…and you will be able to address all things at once:
Is it that simple? Yes.
Does she have an abdominal connection?
Are her lumbar vertebrae mobile or immobile?
Are her femoral heads free in their acetabulum or stuck?
If mobility and freedom…then continue with that moving up the spine and down the legs.
If immobility and stuck…then your answer is clear. Start to stabilizing the pelvis and mobilizing the lumbar spine and/or the femoral head.
And this brings me to the most simple of all statements: That mobility and stability at the pelvis is the most important place to start with everyone. EVERYONE.
The human body is far more simplistic that you think. Yes, yes, everyone is different, but…everyone (everyone) is the same. As much as we hold our individuality dear (especially in my country, The USA), the truth is that we’re all the same. We all have the same components. Sure, sure, some people have wisdom teeth, some don’t. Some have psoas minor and some don’t. Some have their sciatic nerve running through the piriformis muscle, some don’t. Also, some have body parts removed. Some have one ailment, some have another. Some have many ailments. The variables of each person’s imbalances are innumerable. Still…we’re all the same and all designed to physically behave the same way. Our components are really the same.
With that…no matter how many apparently complicating variables there are…we must address each person’s body the exact same way. If the joint between sacrum and lumbar spine (L5-S1) and/or (but likely “and”) the joint between acetabulum and femoral head don’t move and don’t behave as joints any longer…that will be a sure sign of dysfunction across the body. That is for every body…everybody.
You might intuitively believe that the body is responsive…but do you really believe it and know it? Study Biotensegrity (prepare yourself for my next articles on it). Because our bones are suspended in the tension web of our soft-tissue, any force against or on one part of our body will elicit a response from the entire body…the entire organism. Dr. Stephen M. Levin is the leading researcher on how this applies to the human body. I’m a proud to call him a colleague and friend. Read his papers, commentary and more at www.biotensegrity.com
So…applying simplicity to Pilates today:
Just look at your client and note movement or non-movement in L5-S1 and in the acetabulofemoral joint (hip joint). Are these joints able to move in all directions? Are they stuck in some. Can your clients make the choice to stabilize them when desired to mobilize something else? If the answer is no to any aspect of those questions…then you most focus on that primarily. In fact, if you use the most basic exercises in Pilates in the first sessions…that will tell you all you need to know about what is and what is not working well in your client.
Do not concern yourself with why you client’s shoulder is “stuck” until you are thoroughly satisfied that s/he has great mobility, ability and stability of L5-S1 and in the acetabulofemoral joints. The shoulder will stay stuck until those joints are mobile, back and abdominals are strong and able, upper leg muscles and hip/glutes are strong…then we’ll see how the shoulder responds.
Here are some exercises that are basic that will help you focus on what is and what isn’t happening with your client:
Reformer:
Footwork, Leg Cirlces/Frogs, Elephant, Knee Stretches, Running and Pelvic Lift:
Keep the pelvis and spine stable while you mobilize the acetabulofemoral joints.
Femurs should move without moving the pelvis.
Round, Straight on Short Box:
Keep femurs stable, mobilize the acetabulofemoral joints
Mat:
The Half-Roll Down, The Roll Up:
Keep femurs stable, mobilize the acetabulofemoral joints L5-S1 and the rest of the spine
Single Leg Circles and Abdominal Series:
Keep the pelvis and spine stable while you mobilize the acetabulofemoral joints.
Spine Stretch Forward and The Saw:
Keep pelvis and legs stable while you mobilize L5-S1 all the way up to the skull.
Does that make sense? That is the most important thing to start to recognize and then focus on. What does it take for your client to get it? A lower abdominal abdominal connection, back muscle connection and leg and gluteals connection. The glutes not by squeezing them (because that doesn’t strengthen them…only jams joints) but by pressing straight legs back against the mat, working to straight legs on the footwork exercises on the reformer while the reformer moves the entire time the legs are moving…
These are great places to begin.
How long do you focus on this stability and mobility? Until your client (or you) get it.
Really?!
Yes.
Nothing gets accomplished buy bopping around from one theme to another. Be simplistic…focus on the most important thing first. You can find this action or stability in every exercise (or legs, pelvis and spine stable while you move the arms)…focus on it in every exercise.
Please ask me questions. This is a rather broad topic that i just hit on. Again…it’s not difficult. It’s simplistic. That doesn’t mean easy…just not complicated.
****Thank you for taking the time to read and continue your education in this way! Here are upcoming workshops and session information:
Here’s what’s coming up in the next few months:
Full details are on my website under “Workshop Calendar”: http://www.TheVerticalWorkshop.com
Boston and Northborough, MA, USA: April 20 & 21, 2013
London ENGLAND: April 26-28, 2013 (Pilates on Tour); sessions at Pi Studios
Rhinebeck, NY, USA: May 19, 2013
New York, NY, USA: May 28, 2013
Chicago, IL, USA: June 1, 2013
Denver, CO, USA: July 12-14, 2013 (Pilates on Tour)
Again, full information on all of these workshops is on my website: http://www.TheVerticalWorkshop.com
Please keep your eyes peeled for upcoming products I will be introducing to continuing your education from your own home with the aural rhythm manuals, webinars, videos, manuals and more!
If you have any questions about Pilates, injuries, biomechanics…just email me at info@TheVerticalWorkshop.com I will always work to get you answers.
Thanks for taking the time to read!
- Shari Berkowitz
The Vertical Workshop
Pilates Teacher Blog:
http://www.TheVerticalWorkshop.wordpress.com
A Stunning (and Simple) Reminder…
At the start of each workshop, I ask the participants “Why do people come to Pilates?” It’s important to remember what we’re doing and why. Before each session, I recall why this client has come to the studio.
So…ask you to recall: Why do people come to Pilates?
The many of you ready this will all have different answers, but are likely akin to the following:
1 To get out of pain – they hurt somewhere and have been told Pilates will make them feel better.
2 For core support – they were told they need “core support”…whatever that is. They likely don’t know what that is but believe it has something to do with abdominal strengthening.
3 To get flat abdominals – Sure…they hear that in Pilates you develop strong abdominals.
4 To get a “Pilates Body” – That means as long and lean a body as is possible.
5 For exercise – Pilates is their exercise of choice.
6 For better posture – Some people have had a lifetime of poor posture and are finally ready to break out of their habits and get more upright.
These and many others are the reasons people come to Pilates. Note that they are all looking for movement, strength…exercise.
Of course…you know this. But taking a moment, a mere moment, before each session to remember why your client is coming: her goals…and your goals for her (because you might have additional goals for your client…you likely do).
It’s easy to slip into the instruction stupor. You drone in and out of one session into the other. Bear with me here: you are bored and boring…(I say that with love). That’s just that you’ve forgotten your goals. Perhaps your only goal was some extra work on the side or work while you wait for something else to come along. That’s OK…but why not take on the goal of the Pilates session…and the session will be effective.
When you have purpose in a session (and in life), then each hour is of value. There is always a great answer to “what are we doing here?” We’re working toward something. Something spectacular.
Of course “what are we doing here?” is the question of The Ages. A philosophical endeavor. But let’s narrow it to the universe of Pilates…and we can really focus: we are exercising, working to develop a strong and supple body, attaining fitness and health goals (specific to the client)…
So…a mini-blog/article/post while I travel down to Washington, D.C. to teach in Bethesda, MD for the weekend…let’s just remember what we’re doing each hour. Your goals for your client, your goals for yourself!
Enjoy!
- Shari
Here’s what’s coming up in the next few months:
Full details are on my website: http://www.TheVerticalWorkshop.com
Washington, D.C., Bethesda & Rockville, MD, USA: March 16-17, 2013
Boston and Northborough, MA, USA: April 20 & 21, 2013
London ENGLAND: April 26-28, 2013 (Pilates on Tour); sessions at Pi Studios
Rhinebeck, NY, USA: May 19, 2013
New York, NY, USA: May 28, 2013
Chicago, IL, USA: June 1, 2013
Denver, CO, USA: July 12-14, 2013 (Pilates on Tour)
Again, full information on all of these workshops is on my website: http://www.TheVerticalWorkshop.com
Please keep your eyes peeled for upcoming products I will be introducing to continuing your education from your own home!
If you have any questions about Pilates, injuries, biomechanics…just email me at info@TheVerticalWorkshop.com I will always work to get you answers.
Thanks for taking the time to read!
- Shari Berkowitz
The Vertical Workshop
Pilates Teacher Blog:
http://www.TheVerticalWorkshop.wordpress.com
Upcoming Workshops Near You…
Hello!
Before I post the latest article, please take a look at the next handful of workshops I’ve got coming up. There will be more in 2013, but these are the ones that are confirmed as of this post (March 9, 2013).
If you don’t see one that you can come to, please email me and let’s set up something at the studio that you work at or own. Email me at info@TheVerticalWorkshop.com
Full information on all of these workshops is on my website: www.TheVerticalWorkshop.com
Washington, D.C., Bethesda & Rockville, MD, USA: March 16-17, 2013
Boston and Northborough, MA, USA: April 20 & 21, 2013
London ENGLAND: April 26-28, 2013 (Pilates on Tour); sessions at Pi Studios
Rhinebeck, NY, USA: May 19, 2013
GERMANY: June 7, 2013
AUSTRIA: June 8-9, 2013
Denver, CO, USA: July 12-14, 2013 (Pilates on Tour)
Again, full information on all of these workshops is on my website: www.TheVerticalWorkshop.com
Please keep your eyes peeled for upcoming products I will be introducing to continuing your education from your own home!
All the best,
- Shari Berkowitz
Shari Berkowitz & The Vertical Workshop
Colleague Questions: Sciatica
Thank you, as always, for reading and continuing your education here on Shari Berkowitz & The Vertical Workshop’s Pilates Teacher Blog. I’m going to start posting articles in several different topic-groups. One will be “Colleague Questions”. That’s what we have today.
I always ask that if you have questions regarding biomechanics or Pilates, to please reach out to me. I will work to either answer your question or guide you toward an answer…my choice on that is based on my desire for you to learn and continue practicing being a critical thinker. I will always, always give you the help you need…most often I will ask that you work to gain the answer rather than my just giving it to you. That way I am really helping you!
Here is a question from a colleague about a client who is experiencing symptoms of sciatica. I’ve not included any personal information on the teacher or client…just our discourse with some additional information to help flesh out the education. The final part of our interaction is full of information of what to do and what not to do…solid guidelines.
I’ll continue to post some of the interactions I have from wonderful teachers from all over the world. I spend a hearty part of each day doing this via email…might as well share:
Colleague: Janet
Client Issue: Sciatica
Conversation:
JANET:
Hello Shari,
I have a question, a student asked if I could suggest stretches for Sciatica. I told her I would do some research and get back to her. So here I am asking you what to suggest? Any help would be appreciated.
Best,
Janet
SHARI:
Hi, Janet,
So, client has ongoing issue, waiting to get her report about doctor visit.another instructor told me to avoid stretching and only work on strengthening. Is that right?
I am not sure what to do to help. Do I work to strengthen like Bridge, ab work pelvic tilts, glute chest Lifts, reverse curls, leg slides and leg lifts. I don’t know what to do to stretch with care?
Still need help, she comes to my reformer classes and I don’t want to cause her pain.
Thank you,
Janet
My client saw a doctor and this is what she reports so far:”I have had a few MD appts this week. In My back…have slipped disk L4&5 and inflamation in other discs.
Will have a nuclear stress and additional blood work when we get back.
Docs do not seem concerned’ neither do I.”
She is going away for a 3 weeks, so I have time to plan her return and what I can do with her.
Any further thoughts on this would be welcome!
Best,
- Only choose exercises that will aide in creating space and support in her spine, keep her body active, but work around the area of pain
- Eliminate Seated Exercises until she is feeling good again and the inflammation has retreated.
- Beware of Twisting Exercises. The lumbar spine has a very limited amount of rotation without sheer forces. With her inflammation and current condition, hold off on twisting.
- Beware of Prone Exercises. In truth, she might do great with prone exercises…a limited range of motion of spinal extension…but…you must know which direction the disc is bulging to feel comfortable with this. If the doctor has suggested prone exercises and that feels great to her, then you’ll have the all clear. Until then…Best to…
- Only do exercises that are lying supine or standing with support
- Reformer: Reduce Spring Load.
- Eliminate Hamstring Stretch Component of Any Exercise: Full extension of the hamstrings can add to the lumbar load. Especially if client has tight hamstrings, then you must bend the knees a little bit (or even a little more than normally) on any exercise where the legs would be outstretched.
- Ex: Spine Stretch Forward – Still sit up on center of sit bones/ischial tuberosity, but bend knees a bit to eliminate the hamstring stretch component
- Single/One Leg Circles – Keep circling leg’s knee bent a little bit to eliminate the hamstring stretch component.
- Make sure getting into an exercise is actually safe.
- Ex: Perhaps you want to get her into Leg Circles/Frogs on the Reformer. Make sure that you are certain that how she is getting into the straps is actually effective for her ailment. I would suggest that you keep her legs into her chest and that you pull the straps (and carriage) to her feet. Please do not let her push on foot on the foot bar and reach a leg into the strap. You will only twist her pelvis with spring load and add to the compression, not to mention you run the risk of twisting her SI joint out which is already going to be strained by her experience.
- Remember that if your client is on any opiate or sincerely strong pain-killers or muscle relaxers, she is in a dangerous condition to exercise. She will not be able to judge what is painful or not…her nervous system will not be able to figure out before damage happens if she should or shouldn’t do a move. In which case…until she is off of strong pain-killers and/or muscle relaxers, she must not do Pilates or any exercise that is not prescribed by the doctor (and shouldn’t “operate heavy machinery”…including a car!)
- Please work to keep her out of pain.
- Anticipate what might be painful to her. It’s not OK to do a repetition to see if that causes pain. One repetition with pain is too much. Plan ahead by learning from each of the previous repetitions and exercise.
- Refrain from asking her if every exercise feels OK. Only ask her about pain or no pain in the first few exercises. Tell her something like “Remember the gam3 is “no pain”. If you hurt at all…you must tell me so that I can modify the exercise to make it right for you. I don’t want you to hurt at all.” Then keep an eye on facial expressions, body movements and sounds to know if it’s OK. If you ask over and over again, then you only concern your client. She needs to focus on what’s working rather than what is not working.
Ask questions when they arise! Please drop your questions and thoughts here in the comments so that all can benefit from both your question (as many will have the same one) and the answer as well as your shared experiences from your thoughts!
L.A./Manhattan Beach, CA: February 23-24
(And many more that are in the midst of confirmation)
Don’t see one that is right for you…let’s set up workshops at your studio/the studio you work at. Email me at info@TheVerticalWorkshop.com
Again, please go to www.TheVerticalWorkshop.com for full information on these workshops
And if you’d like to subscribe to this blog so that you know when new articles are posted…please hit the subscribe button/toggle on the sidebar!
Thank you!
- Shari
Efficiency Part 2: Only As Much As Is Necessary
How much energy do you need to use? How much effort does it take to do any action? Are you making a choice of how much muscular energy to exert in each exercise for each muscle or are you just making a general effort? It’s equally as passive to go “full out”, “balls to the wall”, “blow your load” as it is to walk through an exercise simply moving, but with no energetic “determination”. Those who are gripping and squeezing and tightening are equally as inefficient as those who don’t work for a muscular connection at all.
The last Efficiency article posted was Part 1 of 4 in the series : Efficiency…Part 1 of 4: Order of Muscular Engagement. This Part 2 of 4 article is all about making sure that you’re being efficient and teaching Efficiency of Effort. This must be a considerable part of the focus from the beginning as well as in advancement in Pilates. Only use the effort needed to accomplish the exercise appropriately…no more, no less. How do we make choices? And how could it be that more is not necessarily better, right or good? Conservation of energy needs to apply to all aspects of life, not just your choice of light bulbs or wash cycle. When you do an exercise, now you must consider how much engagement of any muscle you use. Not every muscle fiber needs to go into full-on-mode. Not all muscle fibers need to work in any given exercise. Sometimes all. Sometimes some. Sometimes none. When you observe a person or animal and note seeming effortless movement. Was it truly effortless or was it truly the appropriate effort for the task at hand. Whether it be a great jumpshot in basketball, a phenomenal flip in gymnastics, a stunning short spine in Pilates or anything else…what you’re likely seeing or sensing is the efficiency of energy: no more and no less than is needed. When there is grunting and grimacing or movement without beauty…there is an inefficiency.
I’m not saying all beings have to have the unattainable “perfect” form. I’m saying that efficient effort of muscularity is beautiful to observe and to feel.
Let’s take The Hundred on the Mat as our first example. How much energy do you need to exert for each part of the exercise? First consider what the exercise is for. What are you trying to accomplish in The Hundred?
-Warm up and strengthen the cardio-vascular system/heart and lungs.
-Strengthen the abdominals and muscles of the spine.
-Strengthen the hip flexors.
-Strengthen the musculature of the shoulder girdle and those that support the shoulder joint.
-Focus the mind in transition from the outside world to the body-mind workout of Pilates.
Let’s look at the components:
-Abdominals are working to lift the upper torso, stabilize the full torso and stiffen the spine (yes I just said “stiffen the spine” which simply means keep it firmly still…even though this is of course an active action [redundant] of opposition as well as stiffening.)
-Multifidi and back extensors work to stabilize the spine in dividing the superior posterior pelvis
-Hip flexors are working to keep legs lifted and outstretched.
-Quadriceps keep knees extended/legs straight.
-Adductors of the femur keep legs together.
-Trapezius and Rhomboids in conjunction with Serratus Anterior keep the scapulae/shoulder blades on the back side of the body.
-Anterior Deltoids pump the arms up and resist the lowering of them down
-Diaphragm works to take in air and relaxes to expel air. -The conscious brain must work to coordinate the actions and transition from the “chaos” of the outside world to the moving meditation of exercise, namely Pilates.
Wow…the list goes on and on…we can consider muscles of the neck, arm, etc…but I’ll work for this lesson efficiently without going further on the bits he pieces…
Just taking the Abdominals: how much effort does it take to do its job here? Lie on the floor and give it a go.
-Really…how much effort does it take in your abdominals?
-How much do you have to pull in and up?
-And on which muscles are you most focused?
-Are you actually using the muscles that really do the intended jobs?
-Or are you “holding your abdominals as tight as you can” even if it’s more effort than the exercise requires?
-What of your adductors?
-Are you hugging your legs together so they can help stabilize your pelvis and connect your legs together so that your hip flexors can be as efficient as possible in keeping your legs uplifted?
-How tight are your hugging them?
-So tight that compression and grip have overtaken simple stability?
Go through each muscle group’s job and see: am I using too much, not enough or just the right amount of energy?
Another example: The Footwork on the Reformer…
Have you ever had a client who starts the footwork and nearly goes into a full jump? I remember a client of mine in Los Angeles, a master of Capoeira and black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. After having done a basic mat, we went to the reformer. Set up for the first footwork and it was no surprise that he muscled the exercise as one would expect a beginner with such strength to do. 4 heavy springs and you would have thought he was doing jump board on 1 light spring. (Of course, he was a first-timer doing what first-timers do…he needn’t have “gotten it” by any means). I bring him up because he clearly used more effort that was necessary. Against the resistance and pull of 4 springs, we need to slightly use more energy than the springs to press the carriage out with our legs and resist with just the right amount of energy that the carriage does move, but at the same pace as when used when we pressed out. Too much on the out and we jump. Too little and we either don’t move or we don’t achieve straight legs. Too much on the in and the carriage barely moves or moves so slowly that we’re practically not moving. Too little and the springs yank in and the carriage crashes into the frame. (P.S. – When the carriage crashes the answer/cue is not “use your Power House…the answer/cue is ”stabilize your torso with your deep abdominals, resist the springs with your legs”.
So…like The Hundred, How much energy do you need to exert for each part of the exercise? First consider what the exercise is for. What are you trying to accomplish in The Footwork?
- Strengthen Legs (Indeed, it’s a leg exercise. Not a “Power House” exercise. A leg exercise.)
- Warm Up or Challenge the Cardiovascular System
- Create or deepen a leg to torso connection/coordination: moving legs with a stable torso
- Hit specific reflexology points with each portion of the footwork (yes, let’s not dismiss the value of this)
Let’s look at the components:
- The Quadriceps work to straighten the legs pushing the carriage out and countering or working with the hamstrings resisting the carriage in.
- The Hamstrings work stabilizing the knees to “Straight” while the quadriceps press out.
- The Adductor Group works to keep the legs in a relatively neutral position maintaining strong and efficient alignment of the legs. They also assist in stabilizing the pelvis so the legs can be most efficient.
- The Abdominals work to help stabilize the torso (pelvis, spine, etc.) so that the legs can be most efficient.
- In fact, all torso muscles (abdominals, back extensors, multifidi, etc. QL, Shoulder Girdle Muscles, etc., etc., etc. work to stabilize the torso, arms and head so that the legs can be most efficient.
Because this is a leg exercise.
So…are you doing and cueing with efficiency in The Footwork on the Reformer?
I think two examples are enough for you to start taking a look into each and every exercise. Any more would be inefficient on my part.
Being efficient means using only what’s necessary to create the desired result. It also means using as much as is necessary. Make sure you’re using and cueing the right amount.
There’s some good homework to play with! Clearly, from the work above, you must consider what each exercise is for, what body parts do what and how much they need to work against what and with what. What tools and what challenges do you have before you. Then use only the amount of effort needed.
You see…all in all, exercise is meant to help you be more able. More Ability. If you under-spend your energy, you’ll get no value from the work. It will likely be a waste of your energy (see article from May 2008 Half Effort is Wasted Effort) and you will be depleted with no discernible movement forward toward a health/fitness goal. If you over-spend your energy, you’ll also get no value from the work. Likely, you will be aching from overuse and build up of lactic acid or muscles will develop without balance or compression develops rather than balance and control (oh, right, this is Contrology, the science and art of control…making physical and mental choices)…or all of these things. When Contrology is really happening and efficiency is practiced (it is a practice…it doesn’t just happen), then you will be more able in the short and long term.
Good stuff!
Now, practice and enjoy! Ask questions when they arise! Please drop your questions and thoughts here in the comments so that all can benefit from both your question (as many will have the same one) and the answer as well as your shared experiences from your thoughts!
Boston, MA: January 13
NY, NY: January 15
NY, NY: January 27
Atlanta, GA: February 1-3 (Pilates on Tour) Sessions at local studio
Vicenza, ITALY: February 9-10
L.A./Manhattan Beach, CA: February 23-24
London ENGLAND: April 26-28 (Pilates on Tour); sessions at Pi Studios
Rhinebeck, NY: May 19
Austria: June 8-9
Denver, CO: July 12-14 (Pilates on Tour)
(And many more that are in the midst of confirmation)
Again, please go to www.TheVerticalWorkshop.com for full information on these workshops
And if you’d like to subscribe to this blog so that you know when new articles are posted…please hit the subscribe button/toggle on the sidebar!
Thank you!
- Shari
An Article for Everyone (Dec. 2012 and earlier)
- Thanks to This Community of Help
- Word to The Wise: Take Good Care
- Efficiency…Part 1 of 4: Order of Muscular Engagement
- Gut Instinct: Intuition vs. Education
- Independence Through Pilates
- Sharing A Client Between Teachers: Client Exercise Cards
- Dystonia – Let’s Learn!
- Equipment Maintenance
- Whose Client Are They Anyhow?
- 10 Sessions, 20 Sessions, 30 Sessions…
- Shoulder Girdle: A Delicate Balance
- Doing Wrong To Get To Right?
- Lift Your Abdominals and Lower Back Bones Like Your Life Depends On It…Because It Does!
- Curl Your Chin To Your Chest? No, Thank You!
- What’s The Point Of It All?
- First Things First
- Breathe. Breathe In. Breath Out. Just Breathe!
- Lock Joints? Don’t Lock Joints? What do we do?
- Pilatespeak – Choose Your Words Carefully2011/06/07
- Pilates…a Profession?2011/05/04
- Neutral Pelvis and Neutral Spine: What are they and why do we care?!2011/04/01
- Bowed Legs – Another Knee Issue2011/02/27
- Anatomy – Where do I begin?!2011/02/08
- One more tidbit about knees…all knees…2011/01/18
- Knock-Knees Part II2011/01/02
- Knock-Knees and Pilates2010/12/12
- Advancing to the Ideal: Modify and then Advance2010/11/23
- Pilates Teachers, what do you need?2010/11/12
- Flow, rushing, pacing…what’s it all about?2010/10/07
- Purpose and Legacy2010/09/28
- Commanding Your Class – A question from a reader2010/09/08
- Breathing – That’s What Your Nose Is For!2010/08/18
- Classical Confusion: Clarifying the Definition of Classical Pilates2010/08/02
- “Success Story” – Pilates Style2010/07/13
- Independence: It’s fundamental to Pilates!2010/07/04
- Cues: A Handful of Great Ones Are All You Need2010/06/18
- Rome Opens My Eyes: Pilates’ Place in the World of Fitness!2010/06/16
- Gym Mentality: How to Win Over the Gym Pilates Client2010/06/04
- Pilates Olympics Extravaganza! Fantastic!2010/05/25
- Lower Abdominals: How can we teach our clients (and ourselves) to connect?2010/05/06
- Creating a Holiday: Pilates Day Everyday!2010/04/30
- Positive Cueing – Teach What To Do, Not What Not To Do!2010/04/16
- Teaching Mixed Level Semi-Private Sessions – Guidelines2010/04/14
- Group Classes – Multi-tasking the Multi-level Group Class2010/04/07
- Pilates Apparatus – So many different manufacturers. Can we teach on anything?2010/03/30
- Pilates Myth: “Get out of your hip flexors”2010/03/19
- Improvisation in Pilates2009/10/29
- Heart Starter2009/08/17
- Entropy has no place in Pilates2009/06/26
- Taking the Mystery Out of Pilates2009/06/06
- The Value of the Entire Method of Pilates2009/05/30
- Go to what scares you the most!2009/04/12
- Those Pesky Ribs – Poppin out all over the place!2009/02/04
- Expectations: It’s About Growth – Not Perfection2008/11/30
- What is one thing you learned today?2008/10/20
- 4 Pilates Stances – Deeper discussion on parallel vs. external rotation2008/10/02
- Parallel vs. “Turn Out”/External Rotation2008/08/14
- Back to Basics: Honor Every Position…especially the last part!2008/08/03
- Back to Basics – Part 2 – Would Mr. Pilates Recognize That Exercise?2008/07/14
- Back to Basics – Part 1 of The Series2008/06/23
- Half Effort is Wasted Effort2008/05/12
- 4 Teaching Tips2008/04/23
- Hips Up…Shoulders Back!2008/03/19
- Don’t be afraid to teach2008/02/21
- Classical Excitement!2008/01/27
- Keep the Common Exercises Uncommon! – Will Wonders Never Cease?2008/01/09
- Remember what it’s all about.2008/01/02
- Confidence2007/12/01
- Thankful for Pilates2007/11/23
- Practice What You Teach2007/11/14
- Create “A Community of Help”
2012 continues with:
NYC, NY, USA – Dec. 11
2013 starts with:
Boston, MA: January 13
NY, NY: January 15
NY, NY: January 27
Atlanta, GA: February 1-3 (Pilates on Tour) Sessions at local studio
ITALY: February 9-10
L.A./Manhattan Beach, CA: February 23-24
London ENGLAND: April 26-28 (Pilates on Tour); sessions at Pi Studios
Rhinebeck, NY: May 19
Austria: June 8-9
Denver, CO: July 12-14 (Pilates on Tour)
Again, please go to www.TheVerticalWorkshop.com for full information on these workshops
And if you’d like to subscribe to this blog so that you know when new articles are posted…please hit the subscribe button/toggle on the sidebar!
Thank you!
- Shari












