Born To Run

I just finished reading Born To Run, which inspired me to start running again, but in a different way. I am blogging about this book through my Pilates blog since I find that a lot of my clients seek my assistance after injuring themselves while running. Commonly, I find these injuries may have been prevented by using proper running techniques, a training program appropriately based for their level and including an exercise program that addressed their muscle imbalances. Christopher McDougall, in Born To Run, proposes that the lack of proper muscle development in the foot is due to the use of highly structured shoes, which may hinder people from running properly and injury-free.

As a Pilates Instructor, I see a lot clients with weak arches and poor balance control while working out barefoot. In fact, one of the first exercises, I will work on with a client is called "footwork," exercises that places the feet in different positions, which works different muscles along the lower extremities. Through this work, I can immediately observe muscle imbalances and compensation in a client and figure out what exercises I will go over during the rest of the session.

I am not sure if barefoot running or running in Vibrams is for everyone, but I think addressing foot strength and improving proper biomechanics could translate to runners moving more efficiently and experiencing less injuries while running.

Pilates and Running Link

I will be teaching a new workshop at the San Francisco Bay Club

I will be co-teaching a workshop called Pilates and Athletic Conditioning with Brian Hannah. I am excited to teach this fast paced class with superstar trainer Brian Hannah who is MAT trained and a fabulous Functional Fitness and Strength Training Expert.

We developed this workshop after Brian had a client who was experiencing a plateau in her training and thought trying out Pilates would help her jump out of it. After I trained her for a session, he noticed how his client improved her form and was able to progress further in her athletic training. From this experience, it seemed obvious that we should work together to develop a workshop mixing the two methods so more people could have access to the synergistic power of Pilates and Athletic Training. The workshop will focus on strengthening muscles that produce powerful movements and those that help stabilize the joints in the trunk region that, if not addressed, can lead to excessive wear and tear and limit the range of power production in movement. The Pilates part of the workshop will use postural cuing, core, powerhouse training, flow and breath, which will help improve one's posture, core strength, and stability while performing global movements in athletic training. In addition, because one of the key principals in Pilates is breath, it also known as a meditative movement, which may help relax your body and mind when performing exercises. I encourage those who are in a plateau in their resistant training, athletic endeavors or are interested in building a balanced body through local and global strength training but don't have time to take separate classes to give this workshop a try.

Pilates and Athletic Conditioning

02/08/10 - 03/21/10

Join Brian Hannah and Angeles Rios for a unique fusion of Sports Conditioning and Pilates. This never before seen class will have you working on your strength, power, balance and agility while at the same time improving core strength and posture. The combination of these two workouts will not only have you burning up calories, but will also lead to an increase in functional strength.

This class includes:
Twelve 90 minute classes (45 minute weight training, 45 minute Pilates)
Pre/Post Polar Body Age measurements charting your results

Days and Times:
Mondays and Wednesdays6:15 pm - 7:45 pm

The cost is $480 for members
Drop in rate $45 (If space permits, 6 person max).

Click here to register

For more information, please contact:
Breann Mitchell
415.901.9368
bmitchell@sfbayclub.com

2007 Interview with Master Pilates Teacher Jay Grimes

I pasted a weblink to Pilates Seattle International that contains a 2007 interview with Jay Grimes. It is pretty funny and informative for green instructors, like myself. Grimes mentions how it takes many years, even after completing a training program to effectively teach Pilates, which I can only nod my head up and down in agreement. From experience, I side with Grimes on how understanding mechanics is only the beginning to teaching Pilates. Learning to read the body's story and responding with the appropriate sequence of exercises and cues is a mix of art and science I continuously try to refine in my sessions with each client.

Enjoy!

http://www.pilatesseattle.com/blog/2007/jay-grimes-the-pilates-teachers-teacher/

Resources for Osteoporosis Information for Pilates Students and Instructors

Due to a large number of students asking me for more information on osteoporosis, I have listed the Foundation for Osteoporosis Research and Education (FORE) under the the Health and Fitness Resource list. FORE is a nonprofit that provides osteoporosis information for both the general public and health practitioners. I encourage you to check it out!

For Pilates instructors looking for a pilates manual, I highly recommend reading Osteoporosis Exercise Protocols: Awareness and Prevention of Osteoporosis by Marika Molnar. In addition to delineating appropriate exercises for your clients with osteoporosis, this manual reviews symptoms and the definition of osteoporosis, risk factors for it, its general treatment (bone strengthening and nutrition)and exercises to avoid with your clients. It also includes an appendix filled with useful resources and supplemental information for instructors and their clients.

Exercises include being on the mat, chair, moonbox, cadallic, rotating discs, and ladder barrel. The exercises include clear explanations and step-by-step black and white pictures. In addition, Marika includes the purpose of the exercises, progressions, direction of resistance, and the bone benefits of each exercise.


FORE's website address:
www.fore.org

Osteoporosis and the Abs by Rebekah Rotstein on Pilates Pro:
http://www.pilates-pro.com/pilates-pro/2006/11/27/osteoporosis-and-the-abs.html

Pilates Training after Diagnosis and Treatment of Breast Cancer Workshop with Suzanne Martin

I just attended a workshop on using pilates training after diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer with Suzanne Martin. Through this workshop, I learned more about how breast cancer and its treatment may impact ones anatomy, physiology, psychology and social well being. In addition, I learned of the possible medical treatments clients with breast cancer may undergo and recommended training after each type of treatment.

I HIGHLY recommend body movement practitioners who are working with breast cancer survivors and/or who are working with clients who are currently undergoing therapy for breast cancer to take this workshop.

Suzanne Martin is an animated speaker with a comprehensive background in body movement, pilates, and physical therapy. Her dedication to learning about the human body and her enthusiasm to sharing this knowledge is contagious and inspiring.

I have listed her website, Pilates Therapeutics, under my Pilates resource list. On her website, she lists where you can find more information about her workshops, DVDs, and books .

Book on Pregnancy and Pilates

I was looking for a book on Pilates and pregnancy and found The Pilates Way to Birth by Carolyne Anthony. It answered a lot of my burning questions and more. I appreciate how Carolyne not only includes explanations of the anatomical and physiological aspects of pregnancy, but what women may experience psychologically during pregnancy. Clear pictures of exercises and break down of recommended exercises for each trimester. Exercises include being on the mat, gym ball,reformer, cadillac or using a theraband.

Carolyne Anthony's website: www.thecenterforwomensfitness.com

Healthy Food Website!

Heidi Swanson's Supernatural Cooking Book and 101 Cookbook blog has revitalized my love of using wholefoods to cook up some super tasty creations. I can't believe I accidentally took her off the blog list. Well, I linked it back on to my blog and hope you check it out. BTW, I love her pesto made with asparagus.