Comparing Ankle Dorsi- and Plantar Flexion Exercises on Reformer, Trapeze Table and Chair
When your goal is to strengthen and correct your (student’s) feet and ankles, you have lots of apparatuses and exercises to choose from. But which would be best? Why should I do Footwork on the Trapeze Table instead of the Reformer? Let’s compare ankle dorsi- and plantar flexion...
Only One Pilates
In my world of Pilates, the one that I’ve created for myself, first in my body-mind, and as an extension of that in my local studio and my online Pilates Encyclopedia, there is only one Pilates, the one that matches the body who’s doing it. If you need to put a label on it, call me...
Comparing Supine Leg Springs on the Trapeze Table to Feet in Straps on the Reformer
At first glance these two exercises seem to be very similar and you might be wondering which one to choose. Let’s look at each differing factor:
Getting The Feet Into The Loops
- T- Getting the feet into the straps is easier, the teacher can expand the springs to help, and table...
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...
Ghosts Keep Your Wrists Happy on Equipment and Prevent Slipping and Sliding
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 on the mat you can use wedges.
Happier Wrists by Using a Wedge in Mat Exercises
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...
