How Yoga Can Wreck your Body in New York Times

There is a wonderful article this week in the New York Times about yoga.  There is also a bigger issue to address.

 A lot of students think pushing hard to almost an injury is a hard workout.

Many new students trying Pilates for the first time complain about being not hard enough.  The majority lack awareness and deep internal connections of how to stabilize.  If you are doing legs in straps or leg springs with no center control,  you can be pushing from your back.  Rudoph Laban had a wonderful concept of Stability/Mobility.  To mobilize a part of your body, you need to stabilize somewhere to facilitate any simple movement.

When you are weak and you increase the load, a lot of times you will initiate your poor habits to do the exercise.  When I do leg springs with a quiet spine, it targets the legs.  I have had many clients complain that their back hurts in legs springs.  One has to look at their form and retrain how they perform the movements.

The majority of new clients coming in, have no clear idea of how to stabilize the torso.  When you find it,  it has a lot of lightness.  They are very much into the more superficial mucles of the torso and body.

More does not equal more.  Awareness, concentration and precision in form is key to any fitness routine.  This is the “MORE”

Innovations in Pilates is a landmark work expanding the Pilates Method in an entirely new direction. The Pilates community is genuinely excited by this new development with programs and workshops now running to teach this additional focus to students and teachers of the Pilates method.

We are now selling a dvd of the book at Movements Afoot.  Since the book is being published in Australia,  the dvd is a more affordable way of getting this info.  It is only $54 (tax included) compared to $105 for the book.  I have this book on hand at the studio.  You are welcome to come by and see it to get an idea about the dvd.

I am also excited to announce Anthony is coming in April to teach.

Therapeutic Muscle Stretching on the Pilates Equipment

With Anthony Lett
When; April 14, 15, 16,  2012. 9-5
Cost $800   Early Bird special Register by 3/15/2012  $750.  To Register, click here

Anthony Lett, author of Innovations in Pilates will present a  three day workshop covering all of the theory and major stretches selected from his popular Pilates book.

Workshop includes;

• Joseph Pilates philosophy and stretching
• Relationships between core strength, good posture, dynamic exercise and flexibility
• Case studies and Flexibility interventions
• Anatomy revision-muscle function animations and experiential practice
• Deep and effective Therapeutic Muscle Stretching for the Calves, hamstrings, hip flexors, adductors, gluteals, trunk, arms shoulder and neck.

The workshop will leave you with new insights into Pilates, new class formats, and a whole bunch of new and exciting repertoire. Backed up by 3d muscle function animations and a mostly practical content, your Pilates teaching will feel invigorated and so will your clients!

About Anthony; Anthony is the author of Innovations in Pilates. A student and teacher of Pilates for 25 years, he has qualifications in Philosophy, sports science, exercise medicine, mind/body medicine and clinical anatomy. Anthony has presented his workshops in various parts of the world to Pilates audiences and runs his practice in Melbourne Australia. His workshops are known for their good humour and relaxed but thorough approach.

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

Wow!  Did my body feel fantastic after this weekend!  It was so great to plunge back into Bartenieff Fundamentals as a practioner, teacher and observer.  Most of my earlier Bartenieff Fundamental training was very intelletual.  Until I started teaching them on an injured clients at Dr. Bachrach’s, I began to appreciate their power.  I can count on one hand teachers who really got me to experience the depth of the work.  I especially want to thank Janis Pforsich when she came to Movements Afoot to teach workshops,  Bob Dunn and Dianne Woodruff.

A lot of teachers get caught of doing more and lots of variations on a theme.  Dianne kept going over the same material for us to experience on our own bodies, to practice on others and then how the work changed one’s gait.  Less is more.  Especially getting older, I need more time and warm-up to get my body moving correctly.

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.

When the hips are unleveled (this picture shows a subtle gluteal weakness) with lifting a leg up, this is a reflection of gluteal weakness.  This weakness can show up in back, knee and hip discomfort.  Even my working with dancers,  there is poor use of the gluteals to maintain good alignment of the spine and leg.  When the true function of a muscle is not working correctly, other muscles compensate to stabilize.

Rudolph Laban had a concept of stability/mobility.  We need both principles in any movement.  As in the movement above,  true function the standing leg and core should stabilize the mobility of lifting one leg up such as the passe in dance.   If the leg/hip hypermobilizes on the standing/working side,  the back has to compensate.

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

Join us this April.  Register before April 4 and save $20 on each workshops with Dianne Woodruff

for a workshop with Dianne Woodruff.  I took a workshop about the Gluteals with Dianne at a Laban Conference last year.  I felt amazing and it helped with my sacrum as well.

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 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

POSTURAL ANALYSIS WORKSHOP at Movements Afoot

Taught by Doris Pasteleur Hall
and Nicola Wiener, Physical Therapist

This workshop is open to all Pilates, yoga, and dance teachers; personal trainers; bodyworkers and health care providers.
Date:   Sun   3/21/2010
Time:  1:30 PM – 5:30 PM
$120.00

Posture reflects our most fundamental organization and has the most profound influence over the way in which we move.  Postural analysis is an invaluable tool for interpreting this structural information. Developing the skill of understanding postural patterns can help us find ways to become more efficient and powerful in our movements.
Join us for this workshop in which we will:

• Observe the key bony landmarks from the front, back and side view
• Explore different ways of recording this information
• Discuss your observations and interpretations
• Consolidate your existing knowledge and expand your assessment skills
• Discuss problem solving strategies for different movement/bodywork modalities

Please come dressed in layers with appropriate lab clothes for assessing posture (shorts, sports bras, bathing suits etc.)

To register

Hi Lesley,
“I have a client with hamstring tendinitis and hip bursitis. Are there restrictions within the pilates realm of exercises she should avoid. Extension of the leg or rotation of the hip are just a few I have questions on. Would love your input. Thanks.” Pilates Teacher

My first motto: Movement should be painfree.  Movement can be great for the legs and hips, but I would modify the range of motion.  The range of motion is determined by the client’s ability.  For instance, I have been having a right hamstring problem.  It is remarkably tighter than the left.  I still work on flexibility but I don’t push it to meet the range of the left.

Pilates can be great for these issues.  The leg straps/springs invite mobility of the femur in the hip socket.  Even small legs circles gets the muscles of the hips moving usually in a healthy way.  Working on flexiblity of the entire hip can be great.

As in my case, my right hamstring works a lot harder because of rotation in my pelvis.  Stretching my psoas creates balance in my alignment.  Sometimes the tightness of all the hip muscles can jammed the femur in the hip socket especially the iliotibia band.  Be careful to not push overstretching with an injury.  Your workout should not aggravate the condition.  If so, modify.  If they are not getting better,  I highly recommend physical therapy.

More info about Bursitus

Dianne Woodruff

Dianne Woodruff, CMA, PHD

founder of Body-in-Motion

I am so excited to have Dianne Woodruff
teaching this April at Movements Afoot.

I have studied withher at a few conferences.  She always deepens my knowledge as a teacher and my practice.In the fall of 2008, I took an hour workshop about the abductors.  It was amazing and my body felt great.

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.

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.

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.

To register

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

Our classes  combine:

• Pilates
• Bartenieff Fundamentals
• Franklin Method
• BodyMind techniques for better movement & relaxation
• Restorative yoga

Finding a movement/fitness practice is hard for all. It is especially more difficult for those suffering from an injury or neurological disease. Traditional exercise does not always address how to create a fitness practice when the body is not well. How the mind influences the body can determine better function for most.

Traditional exercise has an emphasis on the loading of muscles, repetitions and sweat. This is important in the end result of good healthy fitness. The process for finding fitness should be different when the body is not well.

A lot of classes and fitness are too fast and/or too much exertion for the person who does not feel well. Sometimes the body will go to the muscles that are already overworked when the load/exertion is too much. For instance, abdominal and bridging exercises are important in back care. Many complain of back pain in these kinds of exercises. What is happening here?

The brain is giving the wrong feedback to the body.

Instead of initiating the movement from the abdominals in the crunch,
the brain goes to the back muscles to start the work. How do you make change?

You retrain how the mind thinks about movement. This is a practice in itself. These techniques are used by athletes, dancers and gymnasts.

Essential tools are:

• Breath Imagery
• Better understanding of functional anatomy
• Cueing
• Mental rehearsals
• Relaxation techniques

We are going to look at how to train the abdominals and the legs using new tools. Breath is your road to deeper concentration, relaxation and core support. For further in depth practice see my podcast on breath. One can also used breath as imagery to assist in change. When you blow up a balloon, it swells up into a moldable shape. When you allow a balloon to let out the air out, the balloon releases back to its original shape.

• Focus your breath to an area of tightness in your body.
• Imagine the breath expanding that area like a balloon with the inhale.
• As that area expands, feel how the muscles lengthen, widen and release.
• On the exhale, imagine the muscles falling softer towards the ground.
• Breath can be a great tool when the body is fatigued or in pain.
• Let’s say you are in a class and you have reached a place of fatigued.

Instead of leaving class, go back as the class workout to the breath. Only join back into the class when you feel well.

ANATOMICAL IMAGERY

Understanding how the body works can really help one find new connections and a preventive measure from re-injury. We are going to look at the Bartenieff Fundamental, the thigh lift. This is a underlying concept how the thighbone moves in the hip socket. It is essential for a movements of the legs such as walking and level changes such as getting up from a chair.

When someone comes in with a back injury,
I look at how they do a thigh lift.

When the thighbone is not gliding well in the hip socket,
the pelvis will unleveled to lift the leg.
This repetitive motion can lead to more discomfort in the back, hips and legs.

Here(see above podcast) is the thighbone placed into the hip socket. Notice how it is a deep round socket for the head of the femur bone. When the leg is lifted, there is an opposition of movement of the two distal points of the femur bone; one where the knee is and the other, the femur head in the hip socket. In the thigh lift, the head of the femur will glide in the opposite direction of the knee. The higher the knee is lifted, the head of the femur will roll and glide lower in the socket towards the sitz bones.

Image the bone gliding down in the hip socket as you do the thigh lift.
Feel how the back lengthens with the bone gliding well in the hip socket.

When you understand how the body is designed, you will have better movement. As Eric Franklin says “Embodied anatomy improves function”. When the thigh lift is done correctly, the correct muscles will be invited to work. The Bartenieff Fundamental, the thigh lift is the underlying concept in all abdominal work and movements of the legs.
(See my podcast on Pilates Basics: Enhancing the core)

Mental Rehearsal

This is a technique used by musicians, dancers and athletes. You review the movement in your head like it is a film. You image the movement with complete success, expression and enjoyment. We are going to look at the Bartenieff Fundamental, the pelvic shift forward. This can be a great exercise to get the legs stronger and stabilized the spine. Sometimes when the legs are weak, the back wants to overcompensate. This can be painful for many.

• Visualize yourself doing a pelvic shift forward.
• Press down on your feet feeling equal pressure on the inside and outside lane of the feet.
• Feel the hamstrings engaged against your thighbone
• Using your leg muscles rise the pelvis forward towards your feet.
• Your relaxed spine rises up in one piece.
• Your back is relaxed and the legs are doing the work
• Imagine your legs are like an elevator that carries the load of the spine up and down.
• Slowly descend your spine down with your spine in neutral. Your spine should come down in one piece.
• Practice this a few times and then try to do a real Pelvic technique.

Mental rehearsal is great to use when you are fatigued or in pain. Research has shown through biofeedback that muscles are charged even with mental rehearsal.

Relaxation techniques

Sometimes to get to the correct muscles usage, one needs to release the overcompensating muscles. Stretching can be positive for some; for others over-stretching can put a muscle in spasm. Constructive rest position is a practice of lying on your back to release unnecessary tension in your body.

• Lie on your back
• Have your legs bent with your feet on the floor or on a stool/chair. A belt can help keep the legs together. This can help diminish tension.
• Observe how your spine feels on the floor.
• What areas of the spine lay well on the floor?
• How is tension in your body affects how you lie on the floor?
• Use breath and image of the balloon to create new releases in your spine.

For further information about constructive rest:

• Andre Bernard
• Eric Franklin
• Restorative yoga
• Another great book about release techniques Paul Escosque Pain-Free

We would love to bring pilates movement to people who would love a Pilates class designed at the pace and needs of their present health. We will be setting up a new series this spring.  Please give us a call if you and others would like to set specific days/times.

Special Pilates classes:

• Back care
• MS
• Arthritis
• Fibromylia
• Chronic fatigue
• Cancer survivors
• Parkinson’s