How to up your group Pilates game With so many fitness options available, people can exercise anywhere, at any time, but they keep coming to our group classes. Why is that? Well, because it’s not just about exercise. In our group classes, we’re fostering a community of belonging while promoting physical and mental well-being. Here…
When I first worked with people with neurological conditions, I was a relatively new studio teacher. I benefitted greatly from mentors who guided me thoughtfully and by immersing myself in the science of human movement available through Body Harmonics’ extensive Continuing Education program, and beyond. Eighteen years later, as director of our NeuroFit program at…
Sitting or standing, working from home is hard on your upper body! Those lucky enough to be able to work from home during the pandemic know all too well the aches and pains that have often accompanied this privilege. As we learned in part one of our work from home series, sitting (or standing) for…
Sitting or standing, working from home is hard on your hips! If your newfound pandemic lifestyle has you sitting (or standing) for longer periods of time, then aches, pains and tightness in the neck, shoulders, back and hips are likely regular complaints. In this two-part series, we’ll look at the impact of sitting and standing…
Inspiring movement and exercise ideas for Pilates teachers Rewind to a few months ago, to a time when we were all teaching in studios, and it seemed that there was never a lack of creativity. You could look around the studio and take in inspiration from fellow teachers working with clients, take a class at…
5 Myths About Teaching Online As our lives have changed significantly over the course of 2020, the concept of teaching a Pilates class or private session has also transitioned. Meeting over ‘Zoom’ has seamlessly become our new way of being, whether it’s taking a fitness class, having business meetings or even seeing the doctor. Although…
Creative movement for Pilates teachers One of the most surprising elements of being a Pilates teacher is the amount of creativity in the profession. With countless ways to move the body, whether on a mat, reformer or springboard, it’s unlikely that your clients will ever do the same class twice. With this element of creativity,…
Understanding tonic and phasic muscles Tonic and phasic muscle theory originated in the late 1960s with Dr. Vladimir Janda, a Czech neurologist and physiotherapist. Using electromyography (EMG), Dr. Janda found that some muscles are practically always active and seemingly resistant to fatigue, while others fatigue easily and are only active when deliberately called upon. Dr.…
Now available on iOS (iPhone and iPad), Apple TV, Android and web browser. You can also download to your device for off-line viewing. Ok, so it seems class plan stress is an issue for the newer instructor. Yet, one seasoned instructor told me, “I don’t always plan out a class, but it’s always a…
I’ve worked as a Pilates instructor for more than 10 years and trained many post natal women. Just 11 weeks ago, I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. I knew which exercises to do and which to avoid, but being the overachiever I am, I tried to jump back into some of my former…
At Body Harmonics we work with clients one-on-one and in group classes. We have more than 1,100 visits per week at our studios and both our classes and one-on-one sessions are equally popular. Some clients have a preference between one method of training and other clients do both. Although there are similarities, in the equipment…
For years, I had arthritis in my left hip—quite likely the result of a couple of significant childhood injuries on that side of my body that messed up my gait. Somewhere in my early 50s, the condition tipped into overdrive, and suddenly I was limping, not able to sleep because of pain, modifying my day-to-day…
The start of the class sets the tone for your participants. This is one of the most important parts of a good class and unfortunately most people suck at it! When you deliver a great introduction, participants get a sense of who you are and what to expect from the class. How do you introduce…
This plan can be used with clients who have a single C-curve or double S curve. Watch for better support from the feet up into the pelvis as the basis or foundation of the spine and head. Warm up Standing roll down Quadruped neutral spine to cat to neutral to cat etc. Quadruped hip glides…
Many of our clients come Pilates to increase their flexibility. Some of them struggle to touch their toes with straight legs, while others work hard to stretch their shoulders. But how do you handle the ones who fight just to hold themselves in place? Can they also benefit from the wonders of this fantastic method?…
As movement experts, our job is to help our clients to move better, live longer and be healthier. Therefore, we are always concerned with investigating the quality of movement and understanding how our client’s body moves. But what about when the body is not moving? Isn’t the static posture as important as the dynamic movement…
Have you ever trained a senior client? Do you work with older adults on a regular basis? Are you curious to learn more before you delve into this market? Working with older adults can be one of the most rewarding experiences to a Pilates instructor or any teacher of movement. As adults age, they are…
Private clients. Who are they? How do you get them? How do you keep them?! As a new instructor, I am in awe of the unique relationships instructors develop with long term private clients, and can’t wait to explore this aspect of teaching. In the private room, I see the bond between the two. I…
When new clients come to our classes, it’s our job to make them feel welcome, comfortable and ready to get the most out of the experience. There are a few key things we can do to help a new person, feeling some trepidation and discomfort, become a raving fan, wanting to come back again and…
What is gait and the gait cycle Gait literally means human walking. The gait cycle refers to taking a step with your right foot and then with your left. There are two phases of gait: the stance phase and the swing phase. When you assess gait it is most informative if you focus on the…
