Here is a great article about running.  Watch the video in news article!!

Pilates Lab for Teachers: Muscular Imbalances

Shelley Studdenberg returns again with a series of learning how to see and make changes using Pilates repertory.  I have studied w. Shelley for years.  Observation is a skill.  Each time that you work w. a master teacher like Shelly, you get to new layers of seeing and understanding the body.
$60   Register by the 1st of the month $50 * see overview date

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

Shelly Studdenberg brings to this workshop her amazing knowledge of being a Pilates teacher, a certified Rolfer and advanced studies about the body. She will teach you the skill of observation, and how to use the Pilates/ other movement repertory to make positive changes in your client’s well-being. Shelly has influenced the master teachers’ careers at Movements Afoot
Mondays 1:30-3:30  Click here to register

• Overview – Structural overview 2 parts   9/26 & 10/24 must sign up for both  $120  Sign up before 9/16 $100
• Spine   11/28
• 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

Moving backwards

Centerworks Blog

Walking backwards is good for your brain

BodyMind Fitness

BodyMind Fitness Takes off Feb 4.

Sign up before 1/31 for entire certification and receive a special discount.

I am also fortunate to be surrounded by incredible teachers. To remain a good teacher, you must stay fresh and updated on all the info about the body.

Lesley Powell

I, Lesley Powell,  join again with my colleagues; Dr. Martha Eddy and Doris Pasteleur Hall with our own BODYMind Fitness certificate program.

The three of us bring together a wealth of knowledge about the body and somatic practices. Our faculty’s experience includes somatic practices of BodyMind Centering(R), Laban, Franklin method, Pilates, Anatomy in Clay, Tom Myer’s Anatomy Trains, somatic coaching, biomechanics, yoga, dance, fitness and more.

Special Open House with Dr. Martha Eddy. 5:30 social  6 PM talk

• BodyMind Fitness
• Dynamic Embodiment

Sign up before 1/31 for entire certification and receive a special discount.

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

Dr. Valdimir Janda has made the world look different at the body.   Prior history about back pain and posture was to treat the specific part.  Janda opened our eyes that pain is reflective of a full body pattern.  As faculty on Balanced Body’s Pilates teacher program, I teach a little a bit about this.  There is mention of his view of the body in most of the manuals.

Come this January 15 & 16 and learn more about Janda’s Upper and Lower Cross Syndromes.  Dianne Woodruff returns again to teach about this.

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.

Lower-Crossed Syndrome

Date: Saturday January 15.2011 Time: 9- 5 PM  $200
Lower-Crossed Syndrome is a faulty postural pattern that starts from the feet and knees and shows up as an excessive lumbar lordosis and weak abdominal wall. The problem cascades into the upper body so that our dynamically self-regulating posture is compromised. Dr. Janda identified this problem as a series of dysfunctional muscular relationships which, when understood, can be changed and maintained. You will need a working knowledge of human anatomy.

Upper-Crossed Syndrome

With Dianne Woodruff
Date: Sunday January 16.2011 Time: 9- 5 PM  $200
Upper-Crossed Syndrome is that slumped posture of the back/shoulders along with a forward neck and head. Learn how to recognize, assess and treat this wide-spread postural problem identified by the late Dr. Vladimir Janda. An understanding of this syndrome and how to work with it are excellent tools for solving postural issues in yourself or in your clients. Participants must have a working knowledge of human anatomy.

To register click here

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

I took a wonderful workshop w. Irene Dowd yesterday on Posterior Lateral hip muscles. We didn’t do a lot of reps but I feel it today.  Irene talked a lot about valgus strain.  I definitely have some valgus on my right knee.  My knee felt great after this weekend.

We have  great workshops coming up in 2011 if you want to know more:

Lower-Crossed Syndrome

With Dianne Woodruff
Date: Saturday January 15.2011 Time: 9- 5 PM  $200
Lower-Crossed Syndrome is a faulty postural pattern that starts from the feet and knees and shows up as an excessive lumbar lordosis and weak abdominal wall. The problem cascades into the upper body so that our dynamically self-regulating posture is compromised. Dr. Janda identified this problem as a series of dysfunctional muscular relationships which, when understood, can be changed and maintained. You will need a working knowledge of human anatomy.

BodyMind Fitness Certificate 
Level I

CORE: February 4-7 2011: Core of Anatomy
LOWER: April 8-11 2011: underSTANDing

• Friday:     LOWER Overview  and Anatomical Info: Pelvis
• Saturday:     Body fitness class and seminar: Methods for holistically working with the     Legs
• Sunday:     Working with the functional standing
• Monday:      Assessment, Feedback and more Applications

PILATES UPRIGHT

with Lesley Powell    
Dates: Sun   4/11/11 Time:  9:00 AM – 4:00 PM $200
PMA Approved -Pilates Upright is a dynamic workout that incorporates the training of Pilates mat with weight bearing exercises in standing. Pilates Upright gives you a new underSTANDing of the coordination of your muscles & bones in standing, which is very different from exercising on the floor

The medical model has been to look at the pathology of specific static structures through special tests (X-Ray, MRI, CT Scan, etc).  Many medical practitioners do not know how to look at the organization of a moving body to understand poor function. This model can be good when there is acute injury or exacerbation like a car accident.

On the other hand, many injuries are the causes of poor function, muscular imbalances and overuse injuries.  A functional approach looks at the body; its processes and systems within the body.  Pain at a specific place is not always the originator.  Janda looked at how the neurological and muscular system can be reflected at different parts.

Join us this January with Dianne Woodruff teaching about Janda’s work.  I am so excited to have Dianne return back to Movements Afoot.  Her workshops last spring were amazing.

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

Lower-Crossed Syndrome

With Dianne Woodruff Date: Saturday January 15.2011 Time: 9- 5 PM  $200
Lower-Crossed Syndrome is a faulty postural pattern that starts from the feet and knees and shows up as an excessive lumbar lordosis and weak abdominal wall. The problem cascades into the upper body so that our dynamically self-regulating posture is compromised. Dr. Janda identified this problem as a series of dysfunctional muscular relationships which, when understood, can be changed and maintained. You will need a working knowledge of human anatomy.

Upper-Crossed Syndrome

With Dianne Woodruff Date: Sunday January 16.2011 Time: 9- 5 PM  $200
Upper-Crossed Syndrome is that slumped posture of the back/shoulders along with a forward neck and head. Learn how to recognize, assess and treat this wide-spread postural problem identified by the late Dr. Vladimir Janda. An understanding of this syndrome and how to work with it are excellent tools for solving postural issues in yourself or in your clients. Participants must have a working knowledge of human anatomy.

To register click here.

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.

“Paying attention to the body is like shining a direct spotlight on areas of pain. Not such a great idea, to focus on pain? Actually, it is the best cure for pain because the attention spotlight helps to direct the body’s own healing resources to the affected areas. Body sense is medicine. It is nature’s perfect blend of psyche and soma in which the practice of attention regulation promoted by slow movement practices combines with the body’s readiness to direct its resources toward healing. It can only do that if we reduce stress, slow down, and pay attention.” by Alan Fogel in Psychology Today

It is so great to see this article.  Awareness is key to change.  How we learn is through our senses: verbal, tactile, emotional and smell.   There are days I awake feeling my body out of align.  When I do my practice whether it be yoga, dance or pilates, I can feel my body making changes.

This month at Movements Afoot we are talking about challenging balance especially with tools of the physioball, foam rolls and togu ball.  The tools brings up our reflexes which deepens our internal awareness.  It gives an new tactile experience to our senses.

Our bodies should be like a Alexander Calder mobile.  As one body part moves, there is a response in the entire system.  Even lifting an arm, the rest of the body organizes to facilitate this simple movement.

When we have habitual poor habits of posture and/or repetitive stress from doing the same movement over and over again, the body disorganizes.  When one part of the body is not moving correctly, it affects the entire body.  Look at it like a car with misaligned wheels.   The tires out of line will put stress on the car parts from this imbalance.

This is what happens to the body.  If the upper body is slumped forward, there is a chain reaction to the rest of the body.  With the upper body in constant flexion, the back body is kicked out.  There will be compensations of the body to maintain erect.  A lot of my clients with this posture tighten their shoulders or backs to find erectness.

Keeping muscles well toned and aerobic conditioning is important.  Keeping our joints moving in healthy ranges is just as important.  I am not talking about stretching (this can help at times).  When one single joint (i.e. A bone in the foot, a vertebra of the spine, the femur in the hip socket) is locked, it will affect the entire body.

Walk with your body slumped.
How does this affect your legs?
Can you walk fast?
How is your hip extension and back extension because of this posture?

We need to educate ourselves to bring back in our lives movements that invites proper sequencing of our joints.  If a client who loves golfs and does not rotate well in their spine and legs, the movement will go into their backs in a unhealthy fashion.

There are simple movements that we can do in our daily life that will enhance our well being.  It could take a few minutes during each day to keep the joints moving well.  The time allotted depends on your variations of movements within your day.  If you sit at a computer all day,  I would recommend at least 5 minutes of every hour sitting.

Somatic practices like Hanna Somatics, Bartenieff Fundamentals, BodyMind Centering, Franklin Method and Feldenkrais are great examples of possible classes to bring back healthy movement to the body.  Pilates Teachers here is a great workshop to explore how to improve wellness in a Pilates Mat.

Stay tune next time for sneaky exercies for the offices.