Should I Close My Eyes In Pilates or Keep Them Open?
Have you been confused why some teachers (Pilates, or yoga) tell you to close your eyes and others tell you to always keep them open?
One of my students asked me yesterday what Pilates’s take is on closing your eyes versus keeping them open during your Pilates practice. This was my answer.
...Z-Sit Thigh Stretch
Try this variation of the Mermaid position. Even without this variation, the Z-Sit is a great hip stretch into external rotation (foot that's in front of you) and internal rotation (foot that's behind you). By adding these movements, you will additionally improve your hip mobility into extension,...
Self Correction in Quadruped Exercises
Here is a quick video in which I show an easy and effective way to correct yourself in Quadruped exercises, such as:
- M - Opposite Arm and Leg Reach
- M - Quadruped with Leg Abduction
- T - Hip Extension
- R - Reverse Abdominals: single leg variation
Summary:
- Keep your body perfectly still while...
Studio Spotlight: Amherst Pilates, MA
While I was in Massachusetts for a fantastic workshop on adapting Pilates exercises for students with Scoliosis, I took a private lesson with Jill Hathaway, owner of Amherst Pilates. Jill’s story of how she got started with Pilates was incredibly touching. More than 10 years ago she had a...
About a Strong Desire To Know Things
The Pilates Encyclopedia will be going live soon! We can't wait for you to see it. In the meantime, please hang tight- we're almost there!
If you’re interested, I’d like to share a bit of my reason for building a Pilates Encyclopedia and update you about the progress. Here...
How To Avoid Wrist Pain in Pilates (Part 2: Ghosts)
A ghost is what we call a small square of shelf liner that can be used to create more space in the wrist when weight bearing on equipment and also on the mat.
Alternatively, when you practice Pilates on the mat you can use wedges.
How To Avoid Wrist Pain in Pilates (Part 1: Wedge)
When I first began building upper body strength I practiced all weight bearing exercises, such as plank, leg pull, push ups etc. with the wedge. Now that my arms and shoulders are strong enough, they hold my body weight up and there is less weight and pressure on my wrists. I don’t...
External Hip Rotation Exercises
This list includes exercises that improve external rotation of the hip joint either by lengthening the internal rotators or by strengthening the external rotators.
Trapeze Table
- Hip Opener
- Side Lying Leg Springs: Passé
Reformer
- Thighs in Straps (springs assist external rotation and...
Why It's Okay To Be Comfortable During A Pilates Session
Imagine you didn't have to work (out) hard?
Imagine all you needed to get fit was to pay attention?
You don't think that's possible?
It's difficult to believe, because you've probably never experienced it first hand.
I could write for days about the benefits of Pilates, but you are...
Studio Spotlight: The Pilates Studio in Hadley, MA
This is the first of hopefully many more logs of my experiences at the Pilates studios I’m visiting. I’ve always enjoyed traveling and after spending the last 7 years in New Hampshire opening and growing my own Pilates studio, I’m ready to hit the road again.
My experience...
