There was a nice piece in Examiner.com recently about Pilates as an attractive career option for moms who want to work but need flexible schedules. BASI Pilates was described in the article as an “affordable academy for Pilates [which] appeals to moms because it targets the core and provides noticeable results, but it’s often quite expensive. Through its educational programs, BASI Pilates offers excellent pricing, with student teacher sessions ranging from $15 to $25 per hour.”

The illustration with the article shows students teachers Mary Ruiz and Stacy Poznik (on the apparatus.)

Click here to read the full article.

Q: Why is there no prehensile (foot work exercise) on the Cadillac?

A: BASI has expanded significantly on the classic footwork repertoire traditionally performed on the Reformer. In addition, we took that same footwork sequence from the Reformer to the Cadillac and Wunda Chair, both of which originally had more limited foot positions than the Reformer. There did not seem to be a strong common thread between the footwork performed on each piece.

The prehensile is a difficult position to teach. That is the reason I decided it should only be introduced at the intermediate level, and not the fundamental level. Taking it onto the Cadillac amplifies the difficulties due to the body position and angle of the legs. That is not to say it can never be done on the Cadillac; it is simply not introduced as one of the staple positions (which it was not in the classic work on the Cadillac either).

Q: Why is lateral flexion/rotation in the same block under the BASI Block System when they are two distinctly separate movements?

A: Lateral flexion and rotation may seem distinctly different but many of the muscles utilized in these movements are the same. Remember also that much work during a session is devoted to all the muscles of the core: abdominals, back extensors and, of course, lateral flexors of the spine. Rotation is essentially a combination of lateral flexors and flexors or lateral flexors and extensors.

If an individual’s goal is to specifically improve a movement pattern that involves one or the other, then certainly more focus can be given to that specific movement. However, in most sessions time is of a premium and needs to be allocated in a balanced manner to all blocks. There happens to be a significant overlap with these two movements and therefore the choice is yours whether to abbreviate by giving one or the other, or to do two separate exercises to practice both lateral flexion and rotation.

A dear friend and client of mine, Lisa (Quarry) Butson, who owns and runs Restorative Touch, LLC, reminded me recently of how Pilates is not only for the body, mind, and spirit but for recalibrating the energy of the body as well. Of course, some might say that the spirit is the energy of the body, but that’s a whole different debate.

Lisa’s studio is a place for the calming and rejuvenation of energy, where she recalibrates and restores the body’s energy and brings you back to a more grounded and pleasant space. As we were training one day, she brought my attention to how Pilates might work in the same manner. Your client might come in with her energy in a scattered mess, floating around her body, but after she lies down, begins to breath and starts to focus on her own personal space, her scattered energy slowly returns to her body. She re-centers herself, recalibrating her energy, and she finds herself more grounded by the end of the session.

This brings up two points. The first is that we should really take a good look at the decor and surroundings of our studios and the environment we create for our clients. The importance of the calm, serene, and inviting atmosphere that I have worked so hard to build was brought home to me recently when one of my clients told me how much better the energy of the studio was, compared to the personal training studio she had just come from. There, the energy of the trainers was uncomfortable, the noise of the equipment bothersome, and even the music was distracting, she said.

The second point is the energy we give to our clients. It requires positive, welcoming energy to invite the client to leave her troubles at the front door and focus on the session at hand. The time she spends with us is her time; it might be the only occasion she gets during the day to focus and do something just for herself. If we don’t greet her with open, positive energy, and if we don’t respect her time, we will never enable her to fully enjoy the Pilates experience.

The next time you give yourself a workout or get a private or even take a class, think about how you feel, where your energy is and how much the session changes you. Not just physically, not just mentally, not just spiritually, but how your energy has benefited by the end of your session.

Be well, be positive, be alive!

Pilates instructors who have the opportunity to work with clients over the age of 75, should not hesitate to take it! Though it might seem intimidating - ”they’re so fragile”, “they move slowly”, “they bruise easily” and “they can be grumpy” are phrases that come to mind - it is truly a soul-fulfilling event to give a session or a group class to an older person.

Every senior that visits our Pilates studio brings a deep appreciation for the instructor. After age 75, particularly for those who have lost their spouse, a sense of isolation has entered their lives. Many times it is just the hour of someone paying attention to them, talking to them (and listening), helping them move and stretch, and being a part of their routine that makes their day. Pilates is the ideal exercise system for them, as the apparatus helps support them (Cadillac is great!), gives them assistance when their strength is not sufficient, and pulls on them in a gentle way to open bodies which may have gotten “stuck” in certain postures.

Here are some helpful hints when working with the elderly:

Not all seniors are alike! Health history, life-style, support systems, and medications can severely effect how freely they move. Some 80-year-olds can move like 50-year-olds! An 80-year-old, BASI-certified mat instructor would come to our studio and work on her splits. (Once a ballerina, always a ballerina!) But, on the other hand, someone who has not had exercise as a part of her life and is on quite a few medications (which is very common in this age group,) may have a tough time with even the most fundamental, modified movements.

Muscle cramps are common. Medications, especially cholesterol-lowering drugs, have side-effects such as severe cramping. Drinking lots of water, though often recommended, doesn’t help. You’ll need to help them get through it. Possibly suggest that they speak with a doctor about switching medications to something less liable to produce cramps.

Be prepared to modify even the most fundamental movements. Most of the Pilates repertoire cannot be done by seniors without modifications or assistance.

The Reformer is not the best piece of apparatus to use by seniors, as it is difficult to get onto for supine movements. An “elevated” Reformer, such as a Reformer-Trap combo, works much better.

Allow plenty of time for conversation. Seniors like to share stories, so allow time for them to share, even if that means you may not be able to get through their entire session.

Never forget that that, in addition to the Body, Pilates emphasizes the Mind and the Spirit. Allow their spirit to shine!

Carrie Smith is a a member of the BASI Pilates faculty and hosts BASI courses at Balanced BODIES, her studio in Hendon Va..

As teachers, we spend our lives communicating with people, but how much thought do we give to whether we’re doing it as well as we could? One of the key skills of an excellent Pilates teacher is the ability to communicate effectively.

A Pilates teacher deploys three modes of communication: verbal communication, visual communication and touch. This article will focus on verbal communication. The other two modes of communication will be explored in future articles.

We tend to repeat the same words over an over when we teach. Often, doing so serves a purpose, such as to cue breathing in a movement or provide motivation for a group. But there are also times when they are just words filling space.

Have you ever listened to yourself teach? Do you give the same cues to each client, such as “lats down” or “belly button to spine?” Are you truly looking at them and seeing them move?

In order to improve, you should not only listen to your client but to yourself as well. Are you just speaking to fill the silence; repeating something cool that you once heard? Or are you making corrections that are necessary; giving cues and images that are necessary to initiate the movement with the correct muscle focus? In short, do your students need the words?

Another question you might want to ask yourself is how often do you say “good” or “excellent,” when, in truth, the client has not done a good job? In many cases, the client has a long way to go to achieve the precision and form deserving of a “good” or an “excellent.” Yet we use those words so often that they lose their meaning.

Would it not be better to say “that was much better” or “you are getting it; keep going!” Those are still words of encouragement and positive feedback, but they convey a real message: that the client can get even better; that the journey has only just begun.

It often happens that people do not understand what you want them to do. All people learn at a different pace and often interpret things differently. You think you are speaking clearly – using the muscle focus in your cueing and giving images - but are your words being understood? Watch for the body language of your client. Does she have a puzzled look on her face? Is she constantly looking at you and tensing up?

If so, try revising what you said; or maybe you need to slow down your communication, or try different words. Some clients may need you to demonstrate more than you’re used to doing or to use mirrors for the client to see the correction you are asking her to do .

We need to be aware of both the words themselves and how they are delivered. It’s important to speak clearly and concisely, in a voice strong enough to be heard. Using the tone of your voice to build intensity and rhythm as the session progresses, will make a lasting impression on the client and convey your passion for teaching.

Using silence as a tool is something we don’t often think about, but we should. Staying silent often gives your client time to process the work and connect mind to body. Some clients require silence in order to concentrate and achieve the precision we all strive for in Pilates. So, after you’ve set the client up, given the cues and she’s begun the movement, try stepping back in silence, using a simple touch if you need to correct. Let her enjoy the movement, merging her mind and body in the silence.

Communication is important not only for teaching; it is also a key part of building your business. As a Pilates professional, you represent a way of life and may often be called on to address groups on the subject. Your success in doing that could influence the success of your business. It’s a skill that develops over time and has to be worked on. A wonderful and inexpensive way practicing this skill is by joining Toastmaster. I encourage you to look into it.

For those of you who are interested in exploring the subject of communication skills further, I recommend a book that I personally have found to be very valuable. Its title is Leader as Coach, and it is written by David Peterson and Mary Dee Hicks.

Happy Teaching.

Bonnie Sessions, is a senior member of the BASI faculty, heads the Pilates program at Equilibrium Balance Performance Physical Therapy Center in Ventura, CA, and runs her own practice in Ventura and the Ojai Valley.

Marguerite Ogle of About.com has just published a fascinating interview with Rael, in which she probes the person behind the public persona and the personal philosophy that drives him. It’s well worth reading.

Here is one of the questions from the interview and Rael’s answer:

We started out on the Wild Coast, between Durban and Capetown at a place called Bulungula Lodge. Bulungula is an eco-friendly backpackers lodge located in one of the most beautiful places in South Africa. There are no proper roads, so just getting to Bulungula was quite a journey. We spent an entire day on local taxis (16 people and all their groceries in the back of a pick-up truck), a “ferry” boat (really a rickety row boat with an 8 year old boy as captain), and an hour hike over the hills with our backpacks. We were rewarded with a free night’s stay for our efforts!

The lodge is run as a partnership with the vibrant, traditional community of Xhosa people. They own 40% of the lodge and are an integral part of daily life here. No fences, no crime, no beggars, no hassles, just friendly smiles. You can take a walk around the village at any time of the day or night and you’ll be invited into the mud huts for a drink and a chat. The lodge runs on solar power, with rocket showers that use paraffin wax to provide 8 minutes of hot water. The huts and tents have been positioned for great sea and forest views. Each hut has been theme painted and the odorless compost toilets are brilliant! Bulungula is described in 2007 Rough Guide as “one of the World’s Top 25 Ultimate Ethical Travel Experiences”. I would have to agree!

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