Mat I- Deceptively Simple, Deceptively Hard
by Lesley Powell, Director of Movements Afoot
How do you teach a Mat class for a multi-level enrollment of students?
One of the biggest mistakes of a beginner teacher is to rush into advanced material. Level I Pilates repertory is the foundation for all the advanced work. Without the foundations, clients will throw themselves into the exercises. Level I is a fantastic workout in itself. I practice Level I a lot.
So how do you challenge your clients and keep the mat class flowing
while you have a client with osteoporsis of the spine (no spinal flexion) and a dancer?
Let’s take Single leg stretch I
This version makes me concentrate how my lower abdominals connect. First do it slowly.
Make the client aware during the exercise;
- Are they hollowing or bulging the abdominals in the exersise?
- Do they feel their hip flexors easy? If not , are they substituting this for their core support?
- Is their back long? Do they feel the exercise in the back? Again if the back is working, the abdominals are not doing their job!
Then add Single leg stretch II for the advanced students. Do not allow the clients with osteoporsis to flex the spine.
Keep the class moving and holding positions longer. As they hold a position, keep them focusing on the essential concepts. Remember the mind connection is what will bring profound change in the body.
Start the exercise in level I. Then add a challenge in the exercise for your advanced movers.
- Flex the spine deeper
- Bring the legs lower in single leg stretch
- Repeat longer reps
- Throw the responsibility back to them. I.E. are they hollowing the abdominals in?
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