Pilates for Every Body

I must admit I felt nervous this morning when I checked my class list for Tower Class. Two students were signed up. Long time Pilates practitioner Jane (80yrs) and brand new student Chris (28yrs). How was I going to keep Jane safe, while challenging Chris? As soon as I started pondering this dilemma I realized the answer….teach good Pilates.

Pilates is a method of exercise that when taught as a system the weaknesses in a person’s body and the solutions to strengthen those weaknesses reveal themselves. Start at the beginning and go from there.

Both Jane and Chris had stiff spines. First exercise, Rollbacks. We focused on articulating the spine bone by bone. Both of them used the building block of bending the knees so they could really work through the stiff spots. I asked them to take their time and initiate the exercise by curling the tailbone under and lengthening the spine down into the mat. By the end of the Rollbacks set Chris had sweat beading on his forehead (yes the AC and fans were on).

We continued with The Hundred with rollback bar (Jane had to rest her head once), Arm Springs, Leg Springs, Push Through Bar series (Swan, Teaser, Push Through Front and Mermaid). Lat engagement was a major theme for both students. As well as keeping the shoulders and hips square. At one point Chris told Jane “Stop making me look bad!”. We all had a good laugh at that one!

A partial Tower finished off the class. Just the stretch part..bending and straightening the knees and pointing and flexing the feet. Both students were challenged to keep the pelvis anchored and to keep their hips, knees, ankles and toes aligned.

After a little Standing Power Circle to let the students leave ready for their day, we had a nice chat. Chris is now in love with Pilates! He can feel how it is already changing his body in just two sessions! And Jane couldn’t stop praising the virtues of her regular Pilates practice.

I’m happy to say they will both be back next week. And I couldn’t ask for two more eager, ready to learn and hard working students. Pilates truly is for every body.

See you at the studio,

Amie