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

Pilates Equipment Teacher Wanted NYC

Freeing the Shoulder by Lesley Powell for Pilates Pro: a more in depth article

Relax your Neck – Liberate your Shoulders
With Lesley Powell, Franklin Method Teacher, Certified Movement Analyst, Balanced Body Pilates Faculty
$60  Early discount sign up by first of the month.February 11, 2012  Saturday 11 AM – 1 PM

When you embody the body’s natural support structure, ‘you’ don’t have to ‘work so hard’ to stay upright and moving forward in a world of ‘stress’.  Discover the flow and ease that exists within you. Lengthen and balance shoulder and neck musculature to dance through life with free healthy shoulders, a liberated neck and a dynamic supportive spine.

The counterbalancing effect of the shoulder blade is especially helpful in arm elevation. Dancers, gymnasts and anyone attempting to reach for the coffee container on the top shelf needs to be able to lift their arms effortlessly without disturbing their centers or increasing tension in the shoulders, back and torso.

In this workshop, you will learn simple and profound ways to catapult your shoulder experience to a beautiful new awareness and then integrate this magical sensation into your daily life movements. Use this every day and embody easeful shoulders and an easeful life. This workshop is highly recommended for dancers, movers, shakers, yogis, desk sitters, children, grown up kids, sky divers, swimmers and anyone who carries a bag.

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

I am starting a Pilates Equipment class for Special Populations starting Thursdays 2 PM in February.

If you know anyone interested, they can sign up online or call the studio.

The class is designed for students with injuries and special conditions.
Since most classes can be too fast, this class is designed at a slower pace with modifications depending on each person. 

There is a 3 person minimum.  Limited to 6 persons.

Single class signed online $32
5 class card  $155

If you have students interested in this kind of class, please pass the word.  If this time does not work,  have the client call/email about other times.  I would love to start other times if there was interest.

Smile and notice how the muscles of your face activate.  

Now place your hands on your lower abs and smile your lower abs.  

Feel the abs contract wide against your pelvis.  

Feel how you created your own internal spanx.

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.

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

Teachers,

Happy New Year!!  We have an exciting year ahead to support your education as a Pilates teacher.

Anthony Lett joins us in April teaching a workshop based on his fabulous book. Innovations in Pilates.  Finally there is a book for professional Pilates teachers beyond just learning the repertory.  We are selling a dvd of his book at the studio, a more affordable price.  Since the book is published from Australia,  the costs of the book and shipping is expensive.  Please feel free to come by the studio to view the book.

Pilates Lab for Teachers: Muscular Imbalances
With Shelley Studdenberg $60   
Register by the 1st of the month $50 * see overview date

Mondays 1:30-3:30

• Pelvis   1/16/2012
• Lower extremity – knee and foot 2/27/2012
• Upper extremity shoulder  3/26/2012
• Disc  4/23/2012
• Neck  5/21/2012

Franklin Method: Series of workshops

See Workshops for All
With Lesley Powell

• Relax your Neck – Liberate your Shoulders February 11, 2012
• The Knee March 10, 2012 3 -5
• The Spine May 12, 2012  3 – 5 PM

Anatomy in Clay®
with Marcy Schafler
Sunday 10 AM -6 PM  $275  
Early discount see dates below

• April 1     Core        Early bird discount by 3/15  $250
• June 3     Legs    Early bird discount by 5/15  $250
• August 5  Arms      Early bird discount by 7/15  $250

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.
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.

DVD is on sale now of this book $54 (tax included)
Pregnancy Workshop
Sun Date: 6/10/2012 From: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
with Joy Puleo $250 Early Bird Discount by 6/1 $230
Understanding the stages of pregnancy and its effect on maternal movement and exercise protocols. Applications will be made to Pilates and fitness.

Working with Clients with Back Pain using Pilates Repertory
With Lesley Powell
July 21, 2012 2-5 PM  $120  Early Bird Discount $110 before 7/1

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 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.

To register and more info for Teacher Workshops

To register and more info about Franklin Workshops


My own search for the wellness Holy Grail

Our society is so wounded up by youthfulness.  But shouldn’t the real holy grail be wellness.  It is always changing especially as we are aging.

My last year’s resolution was to get back to me and taking care of myself.  Isn’t it odd that I as a business owner of a Pilates wellness studio, have trouble taking care of myself.  I am moving all day but I demonstrate on and off.  I don’t consider this a workout because I am concentrated on the client and not myself.

This last year I have put aside time to take ballet class, take private Pilates sessions and some somatic classes like Feldenkrais and Hanna.  Last summer I hurt my knee hiking.  It is definitely sliding around, but I am not in pain.  When I get my form correct, my knee feels great.

As an ex-dancer, most aerobic activity either aggravates my knee or I am bored.  Getting back to dance, I feel spiritually and physicality great.  The slow bar warmup allows me to get my knee warmed up and not clicking.  It is moving the entire time so I definitely feel the heart rate go up.

Finding time for my own Pilates practice has helped so much.  I don’t know how people can work out with no guidance.  My teacher challenges me and balances my body.  We all have overuse injuries popping up whether it is like me pulling on springs all day or the person sitting all day at the computer.

I love the somatic work.  I see it as a moving meditation.  Somatic practices like Feldenkrais, Bartenieff Fundamentals, Hanna and BodyMind Centering help put my mind and my nervous system on a new calming journey.  Again, going to class helps me focus my mind.  Running your own business is so stressful and my mind turns frequently on what I need to get done.

So What will be your search for your own Holy Grail?

Start your education this year to become a Pilates Teacher through Balanced Body.  Here is Movements Afoot’s Upcoming Schedule

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

“Good Morning BBU!!

I am proud to say that I passed the BBU PilatesTeacher Comprehensive Exam on Friday night at Movements Afoot!!

I am writing to thank you and everyone at Balanced Body University.  The program is excellent.  The information is written wonderfully and organized beautifully!  I received great support from you, and everyone at BBU whom I contacted, as well as the Customer Service Representatives that I spoke with to order my equipment, DVDs, etc..

So, again, THANK YOU!

I also want everyone at BBU to know what a tremedous asset you have in  Lesley Powell as your New York, New York  BBU Educator.  She is truly a gem.  Her knowledge is unparalleled and her feedback is essential.  She ran the BBU program seamlessly!!

I am the mother of three small children, I teach classes/train clients in the mornings/evenings/on weekends and care for my family when I’m not “working”.  Having the ability to take the modules at Movements Afoot once a month allowed me the time to do everything I needed for BBU, for my family, for my profession and for myself.  I love the way Lesley set up the program!

She made me a better teacher AND a better student!  During my observations at other studios, I found my appreciation and admiration for Lesley grow.  Most Pilates Teachers, while good in their own right, do not have the extensive biomechanic/body-mind knowledge that I have gained from doing my training with Lesley!  It takes an incredible teacher to make great teachers and BBU has that in Lesley Powell!

I look forward to doing my continuing education as a Teacher and Student with Lesley and BBU!”   With gratitude, and, Kindest regards,  Cheri Wild

• Mat I        11/19-21/2011
• Mat II        1/7-8/2012
• Reformer I    2/17-19/2012
• Reformer II    3/24-25/2012
• Reformer III    4/21-22/2012
• Apparatus I    5/19-20/2012
• Apparatus II    6/23-24/2012
• Apparatus III    7/21-22/2012

To register, go to www.bbupilates.com 
or call 877-PILATES (745-2837).

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

OMG  Rates for Equipment classes are changing: for the better?

What has been growing at Movements Afoot is the equipment classes.  To thank our loyal clients and to encourage others to continue their wellness with Pilates, we have lower our prices.

Please note the expiration dates.  With these new prices, there will be no extensions without a fee.

Reservation is required.  A minimum of 2 persons for a class to run

Afoot Pilates Mat classes & Equipment class 
by Apprentice teacher

• Single         $ 20
• 10 class card    $180      3 months expiration

Pilates Equipment classes
 -6 persons only. *

• Single     $35 Sign online $32.5
•  5 Pilates Equipment class card      $155   50 days
• 10 Pilates Equipment class card    $297   90 days

Month cards

• 4 Pilates Equipment class classes $118
• 8 Pilates Equipment class classes  $224

*Reservation required. 24 hour cancellation policy.

It is recommended to have a least 3 Pilates privates sessions  before taking Pilates Equipment classes.  Level II one must have taken 10 sessions on equipment prior to enrolling.
2 person minimum for a Pilates equipment class to be held. If you are the only one registered with a regular class card (no special deals cards), take the opportunity of paying for 2 classes (4 punches) for a private.  Total value of a Pilates private session $90

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

Special card Sale
8 Pilates equipment classes $225

Good for 2 months. Reservations are a must for all classes.

4 Pilates Privates $324

Good for 1 month with expert teachers only

Sale ends 12/31/2011

Dancer/Student Discount 
not applicable No extensions-exchanges-refunds2 person minimum is required for all classes.
There is a 24 hour cancellation policy on all reservations.

by Peter Mei

As a football player, I suffered numerous injuries especially in the joint area such as ankles, knees and shoulders. The recovery period was even tougher! Pilates help me tremendously during the rehabilitation, not only regaining the range of motion but  I became more flexible and agile. It taught me how to prevent injuries before it happens.

I also increased my explosiveness by having a stronger and healthier core muscles, agility and speed improved as well.

Pilates has been a big part of my training regiment not only for myself, but more importantly, for my personal training clients. It teaches mind over body and move muscles that we never knew existed. Pilates can change a person’s overall posture, improve core strength, and build those long, sleek and sexy muscles we all crave for. I would recommend Pilates practice to anyone from de-conditioned to athletes, it is suitable for all ages and genders.

Bio

Peter has always been passionate about sports and fitness dating back to his teenage years and played collegiate and semi-pro football. He is a personal trainer and owned a full service fitness center. Four years ago Peter discovered Pilates to rehabilitate his own Injuries from playing football and became a enthusiast instantly. With the help of Lesley Powell and BBU certification course, he realized the importance of mind body practices. Peter has a unique Pilates teaching style and specialize in rehabilitation, injury prevention and tonning. “I believe in balance, there are no such thing as one style of training is greater than other, every practice and training program should be tailored made to suit the needs of each individual. Look beyond the methods, it is the result that matters.”