Party Tricks versus Pony Tricks
As an instructor, being clear on the “why” behind every exercise is essential to tailoring sessions to clients’ needs. In my article for The Pilates Journal, I discuss how exercises serve four main purposes: improving life quality, strengthening, supporting physical skills, and enjoyment. I emphasize assessing risk versus reward to keep clients safe and focused…
The Benefits of Planking
Discover why planks are one of the best exercises for building total-body strength and stability! In my article on The Core by Balanced Body, I share practical tips on how to modify planks to suit any fitness level or physical need. Read the full article and learn how a few minutes of planking each day…
Activities of Daily Living in Pilates as Motivation
Activities of Daily Living in Pilates as Motivation by Gwen Miller We all know that Pilates is great cross-training for many activities, working on balanced muscle development, core strength, mobility and stability that are crucial for long-term health of all the joints in the body – including the spine. All of these things are facts,…
When Staying the Same is Good Enough
By Gwen Miller Years ago, I was teaching a lovely couple in their late seventies. At one point, attempting to be cheerful, when changing sides for an exercise I told them to “hop off the long box or just spin around to the other side.” The gent snorted and said something to the effect of…
Common Myths About Working with Hypermobility – Part I
by Gwen Miller Hypermobility is often used as a descriptive term for someone who has greater than “normal” range of motion in some or all of the joints of their body. Someone who is hypermobile does not necessarily have pain or instability. Hypermobility Syndrome and Joint Hypermobility Syndrome are diagnoses that are now referred to…
Muscle Loss – You Can Beat It!
Have you ever heard of sarcopenia? It is a term that means muscle loss. In middle age, or after about 40, people begin losing muscle strength and mass. This loss occurs for several reasons: hormonal changes, inflammation, loss of motor neurons and muscle fibers, and other factors. It is a normal part of ageing, but…