Movements Afoot’s Blog

by Lesley Powell

It was so exciting to be at Balanced Body’s PILATES ON TOUR. Balanced Body is truely commited in created community and a source for Pilates teachers to continue their education with many styles represented.

Saturday

I took an Exo Chair class with Arlene Bass.  I bought a new Exo chair.  I have been so busy that I haven’t had enough time to play on it.  It was great to have Arlene give me ideas of how to use the chair and a full chair class.

In the morning I took a workshop with Lolita San Miquel. She had worked with Carola Trier first and then continue with Joe and Clara Pilates. It was fascinating to hear about Pilates history. She talked a lot about Clara and her teaching.

I taught 3- D spine. I brought together Laban’s Space Harmony and his theories how the body moves is space, how the spine moves and then bringing it into Pilates repertory.

Sunday

Elizabeth Larkam taught a great Pilates Arc class that really opened my spine.  She is so creative.  She does a lot with challenging balance on all levels, supine, prone, standing and plank poses.

I took a workshop with Karen Clippinger on Sacroiliac problems. Karen wrote a fabulous book Dance Anatomy and Kinesiology. I highly recommend this book even if you are not a dancer. It is a thorough anatomy book with examples of Pilates exercises.  Even though most of our clients are not dancers, there is great information and examples that can be adapted to the lay public.  Especially addressing potential weakness of abductors, iliopsoas, rotators, quadratus loborum and stretches, my SI felt fabulous.

With Arlene Bass and Sharon Gawin, MPT, I took their workshop on Unlocking Thoracic Mobility. Especially with so many of us in flexion with being at the computers, getting back mobility is essential in the upper spine for health and better posture.

This is just a taste of What I had time to do.  I highly recommend new teachers going to a Pilates on Tour event.  Here you will see and experience the top of the field.  You also will discover the exciting community of Pilates professionals.