Well, it’s been a while since I last posted. Not because I ran out of things to say (can’t imagine that happening, especially about fitness!) but because I seem to have allowed myself to get so immersed in Pilates and everything Pilates-related.
What is it about Pilates?
I mean seriously, what is it about Pilates that I find myself constantly either translating some element of Pilates into my work with my clients or on a personal level, I just can’t seem to keep from constantly reading, reading and reading to learn more about what really goes into making Pilates so relevant to our daily lives and the work we do as fitness professionals.
I know that sounds like quite a sweeping statement but I do not make it lightly.
Why do I believe that it has so much relevance in our lives?
Maybe, because when Joseph Pilates created this exercise method he did so after having made a comprehensive study of yoga, zen meditation, gymnastics and body-building. What he must surely have drawn from are his own personal experiences, not having been very healthy when he was young; and then later from his rehabilitative work, in prison camp, with the sick and wounded soldiers during World War 1.
Pilates, to me, seems to be a method that was devised from the need of wanting to allow for an individual to be able to engage in movement, functional daily life movement, with the least amount of stress to the body in that moment and to help to strengthen the body for the future. To create strength and stability that could take one from daily living activities to more specific activities and movements which would make greater demands on the body, such as in sports.
So what does that really mean to me today and now?
I have been driven by fitness, specifically mind-body fitness, for the longest time and have translated this philosophy, for myself and my clients, through varied workouts with gym-equipment, group classes, yoga, tai chi and more.
Just to be clear, I love taking my step, cardio-boxing or body-sculpting classes; the thrill that I experience after a good run or the inner energy that I feel after my tai chi practice!
But, I have to say that to all these activities, which I have been engaging in through my life, I now find myself constantly applying a ‘pilates element’ to them, seeking to and finding an improvement by doing so.
Whether it is the breath pattern or the execution of the movement through a better neutral, stable position of the body or just the correct sequencing and engagement of deeper core muscles that results in a stronger, smoother movement.
This is because Pilates is not just another method of exercise but can act as a building block / foundation for many other types of training.
In sports (tennis, golf, cricket, swimming, running, basketball, cycling etc) it can be used for improving performance, cardiovascular efficiency and endurance. Strengthening the core, better posture and neutral body alignment acts as a solid foundation for improving results from strength training.
Clients who have been running, cycling, swimming for years have seen their form and time improve considerably after starting on a Pilates program. Others have found that Pilates has taught them to better stabilize their bodies and recruit core muscles that helps them lift and work better in their weight-training program.
In disciplines such as martial arts and dance Pilates not only creates a higher body awareness but through better posture, stability and balance helps to create a stronger, more stable base to work with.
No surprise then that, in for instance my body-sculpting or step class, I find myself correcting and cueing with an even stronger emphasis on correct positioning of the lumbar spine or the shoulders and ribs while going through compound movements involving the upper and lower body; or the necessity of using the vasti muscles to track the knees while going through the step class or the importance of evenly distributing weight across the forefoot and heel while stepping on and off that step!
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
What the mind can conceive, the body can achieve
That’s how Ole Eugenio paraphrases Napoleon Hill’s words ("What the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve").
To the who that the above demands. Ole Eugenio is a STOTT PILATES Instructor Trainer who is based in Singapore, where he has his own Pilates Studio called Options. (I like that name; it goes ahead to state what should be, but very often isn’t, obvious to people – you got options, go ahead and take them!)
We had Ole with us for two weeks this month to teach the Intensive Mat Plus (IMP) and Intensive Reformer (IR) STOTT PILATES courses that we were hosting at The Zone. This being the first of it’s kind in India we were very excited about this program that will lead to the first batch of STOTT PILATES Instructors in India.
Being the pioneers in anything always has its challenges along with, of course, the great sense of exhilaration and excitement for all that is to come. For instance, though Pilates as a form of exercise is gaining recognition and popularity in India there is still a great lack of knowledge on what it really is. This has allowed a number of individuals to step in as authorities on the subject, regardless of their knowledge and credentials. One can even find classes being conducted where yoga and pilates is being offered as one and the same (I know of a place that refers to pilates as western yoga!)
I am constantly amazed at all those (unfortunately too many) individuals who having exercised for a period of time actually begin to believe they know all there is to know about fitness and exercise. This mistaken self-belief often leads them onto taking up the mantle of fitness instructors and personal trainers!
Please……
Fitness, I believe, involves a scientific approach along with a certain amount of knowledge of the human body and physiology. Months or even years of exercising may give one a keen sense of body awareness of themselves, but that does not translate into knowledge of the subject that can be used (experimented) on others professionally.
Pilates is an amazing form of exercise. And I don’t say that lightly, as my fitness routine over the years has included gym workouts, group exercise, yoga, tai chi and of course pilates. It’s a very precise method that requires a great deal of focus and control to be able to perform the exercises. They often look so graceful in their flow and form; only when one attempts the exercise do you realize the control and core strength required to do them and make it look that good!
Which brings me to something I said earlier about the importance of being adequately qualified, in the field of exercise and fitness, to actually be able to work with others. The STOTT PILATES courses in that respect are very extensive; with their contemporary approach they provide an amazing foundation leading to an in-depth understanding and knowledge of pilates. To further build and strengthen this foundation, the intensive course is followed up by many hours of practice, physical review and observation before you can take your exams. The end result (provided of course that one puts in the required amount of hard work with diligence) is that you emerge with the confidence of one who has the knowledge of, as STOTT PILATES Programs are often referred to, an ‘Ivy League’ pilates program.
Looking at this intensive program being taught by Ole, with his years of pilates experience backed by his amazing and approachable teaching methods, makes me wonder about the pilates certification programs that are available, in the form of single weekend workshops or even on-line courses, that people do; get ‘certified’; and then go ahead to teach others. Must be some exceptionally accomplished teaching and great aptitude on the part of those individuals that allows them to, so easily, learn and understand pilates to the extent that they can teach it safely and effectively!?
To the who that the above demands. Ole Eugenio is a STOTT PILATES Instructor Trainer who is based in Singapore, where he has his own Pilates Studio called Options. (I like that name; it goes ahead to state what should be, but very often isn’t, obvious to people – you got options, go ahead and take them!)
We had Ole with us for two weeks this month to teach the Intensive Mat Plus (IMP) and Intensive Reformer (IR) STOTT PILATES courses that we were hosting at The Zone. This being the first of it’s kind in India we were very excited about this program that will lead to the first batch of STOTT PILATES Instructors in India.
Being the pioneers in anything always has its challenges along with, of course, the great sense of exhilaration and excitement for all that is to come. For instance, though Pilates as a form of exercise is gaining recognition and popularity in India there is still a great lack of knowledge on what it really is. This has allowed a number of individuals to step in as authorities on the subject, regardless of their knowledge and credentials. One can even find classes being conducted where yoga and pilates is being offered as one and the same (I know of a place that refers to pilates as western yoga!)
I am constantly amazed at all those (unfortunately too many) individuals who having exercised for a period of time actually begin to believe they know all there is to know about fitness and exercise. This mistaken self-belief often leads them onto taking up the mantle of fitness instructors and personal trainers!
Please……
Fitness, I believe, involves a scientific approach along with a certain amount of knowledge of the human body and physiology. Months or even years of exercising may give one a keen sense of body awareness of themselves, but that does not translate into knowledge of the subject that can be used (experimented) on others professionally.
Pilates is an amazing form of exercise. And I don’t say that lightly, as my fitness routine over the years has included gym workouts, group exercise, yoga, tai chi and of course pilates. It’s a very precise method that requires a great deal of focus and control to be able to perform the exercises. They often look so graceful in their flow and form; only when one attempts the exercise do you realize the control and core strength required to do them and make it look that good!
Which brings me to something I said earlier about the importance of being adequately qualified, in the field of exercise and fitness, to actually be able to work with others. The STOTT PILATES courses in that respect are very extensive; with their contemporary approach they provide an amazing foundation leading to an in-depth understanding and knowledge of pilates. To further build and strengthen this foundation, the intensive course is followed up by many hours of practice, physical review and observation before you can take your exams. The end result (provided of course that one puts in the required amount of hard work with diligence) is that you emerge with the confidence of one who has the knowledge of, as STOTT PILATES Programs are often referred to, an ‘Ivy League’ pilates program.
Looking at this intensive program being taught by Ole, with his years of pilates experience backed by his amazing and approachable teaching methods, makes me wonder about the pilates certification programs that are available, in the form of single weekend workshops or even on-line courses, that people do; get ‘certified’; and then go ahead to teach others. Must be some exceptionally accomplished teaching and great aptitude on the part of those individuals that allows them to, so easily, learn and understand pilates to the extent that they can teach it safely and effectively!?
Saturday, October 25, 2008
All of 6.27 million meters to the winning post!
We won!! What an amazingly satisfying feeling of being back at the top (after all I think we’ve kind of developed a proprietary attachment to the FRC, having come out as the winners a fair number of times).
Actually, that feeling of victory wasn’t exclusive just to the rowers. I think it extended to everyone across the studio because whether one was part of The Zone Rowing team or not, the FRC has everyone get so involved – whether it’s yourself, your spouse, a friend taking part, or just the daily Zone ranking that becomes such a point of interest for all.
So, out of 144 clubs we emerged the winners at 6.27 million meters; winning by a satisfying lead of 953,607 meters.
The FRC renews my faith every year in how important team events and challenges are. The sense of purpose, camaraderie, and fun that it brings together is in itself a victory. Who says your workouts in the gym have to be dreary ‘same-workout-different-day’, sweat-filled sessions?
It’s events like the FRC that inject the enthusiasm that all our workouts can do with on a regular basis. Adding that little extra reason to want to go in for a workout, even on a lazy day, just to complete your target or not let yourself fall back in the rankings. So, before you know it, not only have you completed the targets you set for yourself but find yourself finishing the FRC stronger, fitter and more ahead of your rowing than you had given yourself credit for at the start of the challenge!!
Actually, that feeling of victory wasn’t exclusive just to the rowers. I think it extended to everyone across the studio because whether one was part of The Zone Rowing team or not, the FRC has everyone get so involved – whether it’s yourself, your spouse, a friend taking part, or just the daily Zone ranking that becomes such a point of interest for all.
So, out of 144 clubs we emerged the winners at 6.27 million meters; winning by a satisfying lead of 953,607 meters.
The FRC renews my faith every year in how important team events and challenges are. The sense of purpose, camaraderie, and fun that it brings together is in itself a victory. Who says your workouts in the gym have to be dreary ‘same-workout-different-day’, sweat-filled sessions?
It’s events like the FRC that inject the enthusiasm that all our workouts can do with on a regular basis. Adding that little extra reason to want to go in for a workout, even on a lazy day, just to complete your target or not let yourself fall back in the rankings. So, before you know it, not only have you completed the targets you set for yourself but find yourself finishing the FRC stronger, fitter and more ahead of your rowing than you had given yourself credit for at the start of the challenge!!
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Are YOU up to The Fall Rowing Challenge?
The Concept2 Fall Rowing Challenge (15th September to 15th October 2008) is just about here to, once again, set The Zone abuzz with all the energy and excitement that it has been bringing to our studio for the last six years.
Yes, we’ve been a part of this competition from 2002. That first time was a revelation to us (at The Zone) on more counts than one. From the sheer fun and camaraderie that it generated. To the competitiveness, amongst our team members, to outdo one another on their daily totals. To the realization that rowing not only is a challenging total body exercise but one that shows great results. To the discovery by the women that the rower is not a machine they need to avoid!
Underlying all this was the fact that we were the first Indian team to participate in this competition that had so far mainly included teams from the US and Canada. We started off coming in fifth that first year and then experienced the thrill of winning The FRC for four times in a row (no pun intended!) from 2003 to 2006. Okay, that’s putting it mildly. We weren’t just thrilled I guess you could say we walked around with quite an attitude of being ‘the winners’.
Then, last year we were nudged to second place by a first time entrant, Saratoga Springs, YMCA. Actually they more than nudged us aside – they finished with a total of 7.4 million meters while we came in with 5.1 million meters. We were disappointed but well knew the pride and excitement they were experiencing.
However, this year we want to reclaim the position that we have got used to. So, are you up to The FRC Challenge?
FRC Trivia at The Zone:
- From a 41 member team in 2002 to 94 strong in 2007
- Starting at 2.58 million meters (2002) to a high of 9.54 million meters (2005) to a drop of 5.10 million meters (2007)
- 2003: The FRC ended with a Zone member leading in the women’s worldwide ranking
- 2004: Two Zone members finished at the first and second positions in the worldwide ranking
- 2005: At first position in worldwide ranking – Zone member
- 2006: At second position in worldwide ranking – Zone member
- 2007: At a worldwide ranking of 11 out of 828 participants – Zone member
The Concept2 Fall Rowing Challenge is a world-wide on-line competition for gyms and health clubs. For more information go to http://www.concept2.com/
Yes, we’ve been a part of this competition from 2002. That first time was a revelation to us (at The Zone) on more counts than one. From the sheer fun and camaraderie that it generated. To the competitiveness, amongst our team members, to outdo one another on their daily totals. To the realization that rowing not only is a challenging total body exercise but one that shows great results. To the discovery by the women that the rower is not a machine they need to avoid!
Underlying all this was the fact that we were the first Indian team to participate in this competition that had so far mainly included teams from the US and Canada. We started off coming in fifth that first year and then experienced the thrill of winning The FRC for four times in a row (no pun intended!) from 2003 to 2006. Okay, that’s putting it mildly. We weren’t just thrilled I guess you could say we walked around with quite an attitude of being ‘the winners’.
Then, last year we were nudged to second place by a first time entrant, Saratoga Springs, YMCA. Actually they more than nudged us aside – they finished with a total of 7.4 million meters while we came in with 5.1 million meters. We were disappointed but well knew the pride and excitement they were experiencing.
However, this year we want to reclaim the position that we have got used to. So, are you up to The FRC Challenge?
FRC Trivia at The Zone:
- From a 41 member team in 2002 to 94 strong in 2007
- Starting at 2.58 million meters (2002) to a high of 9.54 million meters (2005) to a drop of 5.10 million meters (2007)
- 2003: The FRC ended with a Zone member leading in the women’s worldwide ranking
- 2004: Two Zone members finished at the first and second positions in the worldwide ranking
- 2005: At first position in worldwide ranking – Zone member
- 2006: At second position in worldwide ranking – Zone member
- 2007: At a worldwide ranking of 11 out of 828 participants – Zone member
The Concept2 Fall Rowing Challenge is a world-wide on-line competition for gyms and health clubs. For more information go to http://www.concept2.com/
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
