49 W. 27th St. Mezzanine B, New York City 212-904-1399

Pilates is more than abdominal workout.  It is about connection of the entire body.  When the lower and/or upper body works in harmony with your torso, you create better alignment, strength, balance of tone and mobility with your entire body.

Newcomers to Pilates sometimes get stuck on the idea that a hard muscle is a functional muscle.  A lot of people are hardening their muscles that is destroying correct movement of the body.

As you advance in your practice, Pilates repertory has more sequencing of movement and level changes.  This teaches you to have dynamic stabilization of your body.  What I have to stabilize changes as I move in Space.

We all have to start with basics.  Even I perform the below exercise as a warmup.  It helps me waken up my lower abdominals before I go to more advanced exercises.

Differentiation of thigh bone

Your goal is to maintain the hollow when you lift a leg up.  This is the underlying concept in all Pilates exercises.

As seen Friday on ABC’s Live with Regis and Kelly, Sue Hitzmann, creator of the MELT Method, literally swept the viewing audience off of their feet as she revealed the secret to alleviating common pain symptoms in just minutes a day.   Thousands of viewers flocked to her website, MeltMethod.com, to purchase her pain-relieving treatment video, balls and rollers and to sign up for her classes and teacher training. Read More

Karen will be giving two Workshops at Movements Afoot Friday July 23

Introduction to MELT CORE with Karen Wells

Friday July 23 at 6:30 – 7:45
Price –   $35 for class only
$75 for class and roller when you pre-register by July 22
$45 for just the roller on the day of the event

MELT Core is your solution!  Improve whole-body balance, eliminate tension in your neck and low back, and instantly feel better!

MELT Core helps balance and strengthen the neuromuscular core system to keep your belly flat, back strong, and body functioning well. Traditional abdominal exercises do not improve core stability and posture. MELT Core is the answer to improve alignment of the spine by decompressing the neck and low back, teach you new ways to stabilize the pelvis, and give the organs integrity for proper digestion.

MELT’s unique foam roller works WITH your connective tissue with the feel of a real person’s touch.  You will never want to be back on your old foam rollers after you experience the special pro-foam roller. The new self-treatment concept of Hands-off Bodywork™ is sweeping the nation! For a fraction of the cost of a hands-on bodywork treatment, you can learn why MELT truly is the “art of self-care”.

Rollers will be available for purchase at the event. Discounts are available if you pre-order your roller when registering.

Introduction to MELT Hand and Foot Master Class

Friday July 23 at 8:15 – 9:15
Price –   $30 for class only
$80 for class and roller when you pre-register by July 22
$55 for just the hand and foot ball kit on the day of the event

Eliminate tension in your hands, feet, neck and back, and instantly feel better!  All it takes is a quick lunch break to get your body back into a more ideal state! The MELT Hand and Foot Treatment helps to improve your balance and relax your body while maintaining an active, healthy, pain-free life style!

If you have experienced hand or foot pain then this class is for you! You will immediately feel the difference when you stand on the special MELT balls or rub your hands with the MELT balls.

49 W. 27th St. Mezzanine B, New York City 212-904-1399

To register

It is always wonderful to observe great teaching. Lisa Love has such an amazing knowledge about the body.  How she cues through words and touch is so inspiring.  I look forward to having her back to teach teachers again.

Back Extension Exercises from about.com

Disc Risk

With Lisa Love
Date:  Saturday, June 5, 2010
Time:  1-5:30   $150
Early Bird Discount $120 by 5/28

Developing Pilates programs for adults with back pain associated with ruptured, herniated, bulging and/or degenerative discs.

Pilates teachers are often engaged in preventing or improving chronic or intermittent back problems.  Some of the most commonly diagnosed causes of back pain relate to disc pathologies. To be effective and not put clients at risk, it is important for the programs we design to contain relevant, customized exercises with intentional, flexible goals.

This four hour workshop will focus on disc problems and basics of how they might affect the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine.  Attendees will review related trunk anatomy and spinal biomechanics. We will then actively apply this focus to specific Pilates repertory, determining whether an exercise is indicated or contraindicated.

Lisa Love, Ed.M., R.M.T., has an Advanced Master of Education in Motor Learning from the Department of Movement Sciences & Education, Teachers College, Columbia University with additional graduate studies in biomechanics and clinical kinesiology at NYU.  She has taught movement reeducation for over 20 years, and maintains a private practice in Pilates in NYC.  She has been researching and working with MS clients for 15 years.

Great article about Sciatic pain and Pilates in about.com

by Lesley Powell

I have had the great fortune to start my Pilates career in a physical therapy practice.  We had clients with Repetitive Stress Injuries (reporters injured from the work on  the computer), back, knee and shoulder injuries.  Pilates works on the entire body, not just the injured place on the body.

As with the journalists, Pilates worked on improving their posture and the foundations of support.  When you have poor posture, it changes how you use your shoulders and arms.  Try it. Slump and lift your arms up.  Stand tall and feel how different your arms feel.

Before the exercise we observed each other’s walking.  What was amazing…Targeting the exact physicality made such an incredible change.  One person whose walk and posture had an anterior tilted pelvis, made incredible changes in her walk.  Even though we did low repetitions, you could see her tone of her gluts change.  The first few times without the cueing,  she was compensating in other places to do prone leg lifts.

I felt absolutely amazing.  Grounded. My back felt great (I have SI dysfunction from dancing).

We are hoping to have Dianne Woodruff come back for more workshops.  Stay tune.

A former client was facing a 24-hour flight to  Australia  to get married only he was in so much back pain he could not stand, sit or lie down with any comfort. On the phone, I talked him through a movement sequence to target his specific problem. This took about 10 minutes. He made it to the plane and the church on time in no pain. The workshop, Sacroiliac Protocol, helps you understand this frequent low back complaint and solve it with the most useful approach I have ever used.  Dianne Woodruff

Dianne L. Woodruff, CMA, PhD, has been teaching for 35 years and has been in private practice for 20 working with people who have movement difficulties and unresolved myofascial pain. Her newest video, 3-D WORKOUT™, vol II, an integrated approach to fitness, was released in 2006. A Certified Movement Analyst with a doctorate in Somatic Education, she developed the anatomy curriculum for Stott Pilates in Toronto. She writes and lectures widely.www.body-in-motion.com.

Sacroiliac Treatment Protocol

With Dianne Woodruff
Date: Sunday 11 April 2010
Time: 9:30-12:30  $120

This workshop offers a step-by-step method of assessment and treatment for sacroiliac pain. It includes the anatomical framework and function, observation of whole-body and defined body parts in motion, various tests for sacroiliac dysfunction and methods for treating the problem. The workshop, aimed at “the dead seven inches” is an application of Bartenieff Fundamentals in a therapeutic framework. Open to personal trainers, pilates/yoga instructors and health practitioners.

Register before 4/4/10 and get a $20 discount on all workshops.

Dianne L. Woodruff, CMA, PhD, has been teaching for 35 years and has been in private practice for 20 working with people who have movement difficulties and unresolved myofascial pain. Her newest video, 3-D WORKOUT™, vol II, an integrated approach to fitness, was released in 2006. A Certified Movement Analyst with a doctorate in Somatic Education, she developed the anatomy curriculum for Stott Pilates in Toronto. She writes and lectures widely.www.body-in-motion.com.

Early Bird Discount for Workshops

with Dianne L. Woodruff, CMA, PhD
$20 off each workshop if registered by 4/4/2010

Introduction to 3-D Workout

With Dianne Woodruff
Date: Sunday 11 April 2010
Time: 2-5 p.m. $120

3-D Workout is a low-impact, low-tech fitness program you can do anywhere. This workshop introduces you to the basics as shown on the DVD and then some. We use our bodies in three-dimensions at all times so your exercise should go beyond the conventional biceps curl and other single plane exercises. The 3-D Workout program, developed by Dianne Woodruff, CMA, PhD, is inspired by the Laban/Bartenieff framework. Available in classes and as instructor training, this workshop is open to all. DVDs will be available for sale at a discount.

Sacroiliac treatment protocol

With Dianne Woodruff
Date: Sunday 11 April 2010
Time: 9:30-12:30  $120

This workshop offers a step-by-step method of assessment and treatment for sacroiliac pain. It includes the anatomical framework and function, observation of whole-body and defined body parts in motion, various tests for sacroiliac dysfunction and methods for treating the problem. The workshop, aimed at “the dead seven inches” is an application of Bartenieff Fundamentals in a therapeutic framework. Open to personal trainers, pilates/yoga instructors and health practitioners. Taught by Dianne Woodruff.

Glute strength for true balance

With Dianne Woodruff
Date: Saturday 10 April 2010
Time: 1-4 p.m. $120

We have only two legs and must stand on one of them to take a step. No one would argue the importance of good balance and prevention of falls. Balance boards and other devices are fine but the anatomical and functional issues behind bipedal stability deserve more attention. This seminar for pilates instructors, personal trainers and health-care practitioners addresses essential movement patterns for bipedal stability and a healthy back in a pedestrian culture. Such patterns were identified and researched by Dr. Vladimir Janda as early as 1964. Over the last 20 years Dr. Woodruff has developed an approach to assessment, correction and preventive exercise that you will learn in this seminar.

To register

Dianne Woodruff

Dianne Woodruff will take your teaching and your body to a new fitness level this April.  Whether you are a Pilates teacher, fitness trainer or just a client, experience unique workshops to fine tune your body’s and your client’s connection to wellness and fitness.  Lesley Powell

Dianne L. Woodruff, CMA, PhD, has been teaching for 35 years and has been in private practice for 20 working with people who have movement difficulties and unresolved myofascial pain. Her newest video, 3-D WORKOUT™, vol II, an integrated approach to fitness, was released in 2006. A Certified Movement Analyst with a doctorate in Somatic Education, she developed the anatomy curriculum for Stott Pilates in Toronto. She writes and lectures widely.www.body-in-motion.com.

Introduction to 3-D Workout

With Dianne Woodruff
Date: Sunday 11 April 2010
Time: 2-5 p.m. $120

3-D Workout is a low-impact, low-tech fitness program you can do anywhere. This workshop introduces you to the basics as shown on the DVD and then some. We use our bodies in three-dimensions at all times so your exercise should go beyond the conventional biceps curl and other single plane exercises. The 3-D Workout program, developed by Dianne Woodruff, CMA, PhD, is inspired by the Laban/Bartenieff framework. Available in classes and as instructor training, this workshop is open to all. DVDs will be available for sale at a discount.

Sacroiliac treatment protocol

With Dianne Woodruff
Date: Sunday 11 April 2010
Time: 9:30-12:30  $120

This workshop offers a step-by-step method of assessment and treatment for sacroiliac pain. It includes the anatomical framework and function, observation of whole-body and defined body parts in motion, various tests for sacroiliac dysfunction and methods for treating the problem. The workshop, aimed at “the dead seven inches” is an application of Bartenieff Fundamentals in a therapeutic framework. Open to personal trainers, pilates/yoga instructors and health practitioners. Taught by Dianne Woodruff.

Glute strength for true balance

With Dianne Woodruff
Date: Saturday 10 April 2010
Time: 1-4 p.m. $120

We have only two legs and must stand on one of them to take a step. No one would argue the importance of good balance and prevention of falls. Balance boards and other devices are fine but the anatomical and functional issues behind bipedal stability deserve more attention. This seminar for pilates instructors, personal trainers and health-care practitioners addresses essential movement patterns for bipedal stability and a healthy back in a pedestrian culture. Such patterns were identified and researched by Dr. Vladimir Janda as early as 1964. Over the last 20 years Dr. Woodruff has developed an approach to assessment, correction and preventive exercise that you will learn in this seminar.

To register

BodyMind Fitness

Last weekend, the B Fit faculty initiated the first segment of our BodyMind fitness certificate program.  Dr. Martha Eddy, Doris Pasteleur Hall and Lesley Powell, taught practical and effective movement approaches to working with the core of the body.

Friday night: Lesley Powell started out with understanding how the spine moves in different planes from a skeletal perspective.  Dr. Martha Eddy took us through spinal roll downs with using imagery from different physiological imagery – we flexed and extended initiating from vertebral articulations, organ activation, spinal cord lengthening, and synovial fluid loosening.  It was fascinating how a roll down could change in response to how you thought about the movement.  Each image brought different kinds of mobility and connection.

Saturday: Doris showed through Anatomy in clay what the muscles of the back looked like and their importance for support.   Students loved being able to see visually how anatomy looks. It’s an exciting way to learn the details of muscular anatomy. They also enjoyed a Movements Afoot Pilates mat and springs class using body-mind imagery, taught by Kim Fielding.

Sunday: Lesley Powell gave a class using balance equipment to physically feel the importance of coordinating breath, and the muscles of the pelvic floor, deep abdominals and the multifidus is for core support.  We explored movement in all levels and planes.

In the afternoon Martha reviewed all the prior info of the weekend and brought in the importance of organ support, equal joint space, and the interaction of four horizontal diaphragms in the body.

Monday: The students brought newly gained info into teaching task.  Each showed how they used these concepts to a familiar core stabilization or strengthening exercise. Many were surprised that the majority of activities involved deep relaxation! Martha helped them see what bigger kinesiological and somatic concepts they each were applying and put the whole weekend into a developmental perspective. This gives everyone an understanding of what exercises to use when.

We are delighted to have this wonderful group of fitness professionals sharpening their expertise with us.

You are invited to join us in May or July if this of interest to you!