I'm excited to be traveling back to Little Rock for 2 days of Pilates Workshops, April 18 & 19th, 2008. These courses are geared towards participants and open to teachers. If you're looking for a little fine-tuning on your technique, or the chance to learn a few...
Pilates
The Benefits of The Iliopsoas Muscle to Pilates – Part 2
"What is the purpose of learning how to properly use the iliopsoas muscle, and how does this affect exercise technique from a Pilates perspective?" In Part 1 the anatomy, benefits, and function of the iliopsoas muscle were reviewed for a greater understanding of the...
Work, Release, and Brain Training
Every Pilates exercise involves utilizing the joints as a lever and pulley system. All movement of the body happens as we contract and release different muscles in the proper order to achieve a desired action. If our muscles don't understand their proper firing...
The Benefits of the Iliopsoas Muscle to Pilates – Part 1
"What is the purpose of learning how to properly use the iliopsoas muscle, and how does this affect exercise technique from a Pilates perspective?" This was the question asked of me, which led to an interesting few days of contemplation about how I think, what I...
NEW – Centerworks Pilates Audio Workout Programs
We are very excited to offer these new products. The Centerworks Pilates Audio Workout Programs have been designed to challenge your mind and body. Audio workouts are offered at all levels, so you can pick the most appropriate place to start, and will always have...
The Importance of Spine Extension
Extension the spine is the opposite of flexion. From a terminology standpoint, it’s helpful to be specific. If the cue is “bend the spine” it could move in one of three directions. Forward (spine flexion), Backward (spine extension), or Sideways (lateral flexion). The other direction our spine moves is to rotate or twist. Normally “bending” means flexion, or moving the body forward towards the legs. Extension would be taking the body backwards in the opposite direction, OR un-bending.
Mastering Movement of the Spine: Extension
The Benefits of Spine Extension. Tips and Techniques for Increasing Spine Mobility. Exercises to Practice Spine Extension. Practicing Extension with Pilates. Extension (As defined by the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary) Pronunciation: ik-'sten(t)-sh&n Function:...
Mastering Movement of the Spine: Rotation
The benefit of Pilates is efficient movement. Movement is health, health is life. The spine is the vertical support for our structure. It protects the nerves that cue our bodies for movement. Breath pumps nourishing fluids from the brain to the body and assists in...
The Thinking Body: Hip Flexion
The Benefit of Learning Good Hip Mechanics Do you spend most of your workday sitting? Or are you older and noticing that your activity level has decreased? Want to learn to sit, stand, and walk pain free? Take pressure off your lower back, and SI joints. Increase hip...
Mastering Movement of the Spine: The Roll Up
"A man is as young as his spinal column. If your spine is inflexibly stiff at 30, you are old. If it is completely flexible at 60, you are young." -- Joseph H. Pilates It seems that one of the primary differences between Pilates and "traditional" weight room workouts...