Each session had dozens of people engaged in listening, moving, leading and questioning. From the detailed anatomy of how the fascia interfaces with the bones, organs, glands, vessels, nerves, brain and muscles we explored how to move our whole selves through each of the 3 planes. We analyzed walk patterns through multiple modalities – visual, kinesthetic, and psycho-social and gave feedback on our gait using words, movement and touch.

Colleen’s coaching class got each participant leading activities.

The day ended with Martha Eddy sharing her breakdown of the components of what is needed for safe and excellent exercise prescription for cancer patients and survivors. We all explored a few of the dances from her Moving On Aerobics/Movement for Life program.

Come experience it yourself on Oct 16. Oct is breast cancer awareness month. Ask about our gala fundraiser on Oct 13 an early evening.

In December of 2006, I had a hysterectomy and subsequently found out I had uterine cancer. As I was finishing up my treatment, a routine mammogram unfortunately led to the discovery that I had breast cancer. I went through my training at Movements Afoot to become a teacher two years ago.
Writing about how Pilates and movement have helped through my recovery is not easy. Not because I find it emotional, but because I had to think how it helped me. Then I realized that is because of Pilates that I sailed through my treatments and recovery. The only time I stopped moving was during the 6-week period after my abdominal surgery.
I also began doing pole classes about 6 weeks out from my last abdominal surgery. The pole classes keep me moving and let me feel some sensuality even through operations and treatments which seem to nullify the sexual side of women going through treatments of cancer.

One of the things that I have become perpetually working on now is my flexibility. I have found that with the surgeries causing scar tissue, radiation and menopause the need to stay flexible is what enables me to have strength.

Continually doing some type of movement has helped me with my strength both physically and mentally. And, I thank Lesley, Sue and Doris at Movements Afoot for my support and invaluable knowledge they always share.

by Doris Pasteleur Hall Master Pilates Teacher at Movements Afoot

When one is dealing with Breast Cancer on a personal level, I found many stages of healing.

• The first part of the healing is realizing that one has the disease and how one finds the support system that helps them.

• The next stage is dealing with the healing of chemo, radiation, medication, or combinations of the above.

• Then when all is done is the next stage of healing which I feel takes a lot longer and needs great inspiration, support.

This is where the Pilates method can be a help. If one looks at Breast Cancer in a general way, it deals with the shoulder girdle, arm and of the thoracic. Encouraging bone alignment, working with muscular imbalances, (while moving slowly in each part of the body) is something that can be placed into a session at whatever speed that the client can handle.

I do not think that Scar tissue is talked about enough. When one is cut, small or large one, this affects the fascia. Imagine a tight sweater being pulled somewhere. This displacement can over a period of time not only affect the surrounding area of the scar tissue, but move upwards or downwards into other parts of the body.

This is important to observe this with clients as they move and how they breath. The only other thing, that I would add, is the work of breath. The constriction of the pectoral girdle can affect how the diaphragm functions. So allowing the three-dimensional movement of the ribcage and thoracic spine will not only help with the shoulder girdle and humeral bone, but also help the diaphragm. Breath is also be used as a way to recoup between movements or can be used as something soothing.

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One of my top teachers, Doris Pasteleur Hall, had gone through many surgeries for her breast cancer. Doris is very articulate about how her body changed and the process of getting back to shape. I had a woman client with similar surgeries, to the breast and abdominals. She kept getting injured with back, hip and foot pain. I learned a lot from Doris’ experience in how to train clients with similar issues.

Scar tissue and the affects of the drugs, chemo and radiation has affects on the body’s movement. I went back to basics, retraining of the pelvic floor, multifidus and abdominals. I also worked on a gentle range of motion, but I didn’t push range. Remember, when a muscles thinks that it is going to be overstretch, it will contract to protect itself. Scar tissues brings a different quality of tone/flexibility.

Also Doris and those women, who work with a massage therapist specializing in scar tissue, made more progress in fitness and relief from discomfort.

Did you know that its Ovarian Cancer Awareness month? Next month is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Using our body-mind (somatic) approach to fitness we have helped hundreds of survivors to feel better, have more energy and to be stronger physically. In particular I designed Moving On Aerobics in response to a colleagues experience of deep fatigue due to chemo. Due to her persistent research she learned over seven years ago what journals are making commonplace knowledge over the past year and a half – aerobic exercise is a great boon to cancer survivorship (and prevention).

As an exercise physiologist and dancer it was natural to create a program including dance and aerobics. What the somatic approach also brings to Moving On Aerobics is careful awareness of the body, working with breath support and three-dimensionality, as well as being open to taking time to speak about our life experiences, worries, and joys.

Classes throughout New York City are free or by donation. For more information visit Moving On Aerobic’s calendar

Without being dramatic, I can honestly say that Pilates has changed my life, both literally and figuratively. Nine years ago I had a very serious accident. As a result, I incurred three injuries to my cervical spine, four injuries to my lumbar spin, carpal tunnel, cubical tunnel and fibromyalgia. I received, acupuncture, physical therapy and chiropractic care for seven years to manage the pain. I felt my condition was hopeless, until my doctor found a therapy center that offered pilates sessions twice a week.

After six months, I had gained flexibility, strength and endurance. In fact, there was such a marked improvement in my physical condition through out that year, that it was clear, Pilates was going to be a life practice for me. I gained a fuller range of motion and learned how my body had compensated for my injury. Then as my stability and strength grew, I learned how to correct my balance and work on improving my alignment. With the new knowledge of my body mechanics and the consistency of my practice, I regained movement that I thought I’d lost forever. My doctor was so impressed with my results that he began prescribing pilates to all his injured patients. He also began practicing pilates as part of his health maintainence routine.

My injury humbled me and pilates has helped me to heal. It has given me a greater sense of control and respect for my body. My practice has developed and with it came a greater understanding of the necessity of self knowledge and individual responsibility for good health practices.

After three years of practice I became certified as a teacher. Having been a teacher all my life, I love learning. Therefore, it was a natural next step to bring my passion and profession to a new level. My intention was to learn even more and I have. I have learned to care for and respect this unique body that each of us is given for this lifetime. I continue to learn and love sharing that knowledge.