Back to Basics
When I began drafting this post, I was getting ready to go back to school. I’m lucky to have spent nine very full days in July studying and practising at the Balanced Body® Pilates headquarters in Sacramento to become a Balanced Body® Educator. I was surrounded by a group of amazing instructors from all over the world and together we went back to the basics, covering all things Pilates as we retrained our bodies and minds in order to prepare and share our knowledge with brand new teacher trainees.
Why do we call it a Pilates practice?
Pilates is a full body system of exercises that serve to improve mobility, strength, and functionality. In the words of Joseph Pilates himself, “We offer no treatment here. Just a system of physical and mental exercises to make the human body as it was meant to be: graceful, supple, and strong.”
When we teach Pilates, as instructors, we’re always thinking about Movement Principles. Whole Body Movement, Trunk Integration, Lower Body Training, Upper Body Training, and Mobility and Restoration. You might not hear us use those particular phrases in a group class or private session, but you’ve probably heard us talk about the pelvic clock, or lateral breathing, or maybe fingertip abdominals. You’ve likely heard an instructor mention neutral pelvic placement, and maybe you recall someone referencing the head, thoracic and pelvic wheels. We use all these terms and images–plus many others–to invoke a deeper connection with your body and help you better understand how it moves. Or how you might move it differently: with Ease, Economy and Efficiency. Pilates is a practice because it takes time and repetition to develop body awareness, which helps you identify and change daily movement patterns that contribute to ongoing dysfunction.
My time spent training in California was mentally taxing and physically demanding. But it was great to be back in the role of student. It’s good to be reminded that we never really stop learning, that there’s always more to an exercise or the way our body performs it than we realise. And I can’t wait to take what I’ve (re)discovered and put it to good use with all of you!
This month at Retrofit Pilates we’re discussing the foundation of Pilates movement, the basic principles that will support your practice and help you feel successful. Pilates is a system that helps us live better and there’s a way into that system that serves everyone! Follow us at @retrofitpilates to learn more.
See you in class!
Pam Ferguson
Retrofit Master Instructor
Lead Instructor/Operations Associate
