Aug 9

Pilates Concepts for Beginners

by Laurette Ryan

www.balancepointpilates.com

www.balancepointstudios.com

Pilates exercises are deceptively simple and yet also complex. When beginning this program of exercises, you may feel as though you’re not quite sure if you are doing them right. This is common. Some important things for you to remember are number one: make sure there isn’t any pain in your neck or back, tension in these areas suggest poor form, and number two: always opt for good form rather than more repetitions.

There are various preparatory exercises which can help the newbie (beginner) learn proper body mechanics before attempting the full Pilates repertoire. Although these may seem deceptively simple, you should try to perfect them in order to have a better workout with Pilates technique. Our societies mind-set is to often work harder and harder, to push beyond without regards to understanding our own challenges and truly surmounting them. We workout mind-less-ly. Pilates asks you to connect your mind and your body, as Joseph Pilates said “It is the mind that builds the body”. You will in Pilates class be asked to listen to the feedback coming from your physical body, and for many, this alone can be hard work .

One way to slow down and listen to your body is to coordinate the breath with the movement. On most Pilates exercises the rule for breathing is to inhale on extension, exhale on flexion and inhale on rotation. Using the breath properly facilitates each movement. Breath can move the movement. Don’t be afraid to breath deeply, expanding though the ribcage, but keeping the navel pulled to the spine. Try to fill and empty the lungs completely while moving through the exercises. You will find this actually helps you perform the exercises with more ease.

Joseph Pilates in his writings advises you to perfect each movement/exercise before moving on to the next. So do not feel rushed or as though you should complete every exercise, some exercises will not work for every “body”. In your first Mat class you may only feel you have done 10-25% correctly, this is normal. You may not be sure you like it….my rule: you should take 3 mat classes before giving up. It takes at least 3 classes for your body and mind to start to “get it.”

The benefits of Pilates are worth it! Besides looking younger, taller and more fit, you will experience an ease of movement and being-in your body which is hard to describe. Your low back pain will be gone, you’ll regain flexibility,you will have more energy and a feeling of relaxation and confidence. Pilates is the fountain of youth, so start slow, keep at it and communicate with your teacher for the best experience!

Laurette Ryan

www.Balancepointpilates.com

find me on Facebook ,Twitter  and Tipdrop.com too…

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Oct 3

Pilates  Mat or Reformer?

By Laurette Ryan

www.balancepointpilates.com

At least once a month, I am asked the question, “Should I do matwork or take lessons on the reformer?” Unfortunately there is no simple answer. First let me explain : Matwork is the Pilates exercise you do on the mat,using your body and gravity alone,the Reformer is a piece of Pilates equipment designed by Joseph Pilates consisting of a sliding/gliding carriage or mat, ropes or straps and various springs of different tension.

I try to explain that beginners through advanced students get important and yet different things from both of these. Many beginners feel the matwork must be easier and that’s the place to start. I think the idea is when you add a piece of equipment,it’s means you are adding resistance. Therefore the exercises are harder, as in calisthenics versus weight training. What most newbies don’t realize is that the reformer can actually help or assist you through the exercises. Exercises done on the reformer teach the body how to move correctly,how it should feel when done right. Students often have difficulty on the mat at first, because gravity is in fact, very hard to defy! The benefit to doing matwork as a beginner or newbie is that you don’t require special equipment, you may be able to join a group or class at a fraction of the cost of equipment lessons. You can do matwork at home alone, once you’ve mastered the moves-this is important and instruction at least a few times with a qualified teacher is key.

This makes matwork a very economical choice for the beginner. Though more individualized instruction leads to better results always. The other benefit to group matwork is the encouragement participants always seem to get from fellow students.

Now here’s the funny thing. Advanced students can be extremely challenged in a matwork class. These students have improved body awareness, strength and flexibility and put all that to use, during a class. I’m never surprised when a student realizes that those simple looking mat exercises have actually become harder and more intense as they have become more fit! It seems as though the stages a student goes through when taking mat class are these: first it’s hard-you have to think so much, then suddenly you feel like you “get it” the body gets the choreography. Then as the student realizes it’s so much more than just choreography. It’s mind, body, correct movement, correct breathing using the “true core”, suddenly matwork is tough,hard work. At this stage when the student is advanced the exercises on the equipment progressively become more difficult as well. With a physically fit Pilates body,the student can perform amazing exercises on the reformer. The exercises are very effective and when mastered are joyous,free movement of natural rhythm and precision.

Reformer lessons can be costly. Some places offer reformer groups or classes, the cost can be a little less but your instruction as to proper form and safety may be less as well. Again look for highly qualified instruction no matter what setting you are in. You can also purchase a reformer for home. The price range for these vary greatly. Having seen and experienced the gamut I can honestly say you will get what you pay for. If you are accustomed to a $3000.00 to $4000.00 reformer in the studio you take lessons in, you will probably be disappointed in the $300.00 model you buy for home. On the other hand if you haven’t trained on the higher end reformer then you will not mind and will be able to do most of the same exercises.

Whether you are beginner or advanced a good mix of both matwork and reformer is ideal. At various points during your progress you will see the benefit of both. If affordable several private lesson to begin with is the best start. If you can’t continue private instruction on a regular basis, I recommend a “tune-up” lesson once every four to six weeks, to help you progress as a Pilates student or teacher.

Remember always-Physical fitness is the first requisite of true happiness…..

Laurette Ryan

www.Balancepointpilates.com

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Mar 7

Your Own Pilates Retreat

by Troy McCarty

So you would like a room to work on your pilates exercises and have some meditative space too. Super – but what next?

Try to make your Pilates room a soothing color. My personal Pilates room is lavender. It’s filled with natural sunlight. I keep this room as inviting and calm as possible. It’s a place where I go to communicate with my body. It’s a time where I do a bit of life editing and always walk out of filled with great energy.

What about music? I personally love music in the background when I work out, but remember to keep your focus. I listen to something that doesn’t have big tempo or style changes. In this fashion, the music doesn’t really set or disrupt my pace. You want your awareness to be on your body – the music should float in and out of your consciousness.

So the setting is right, but what exercises will you perform? My first suggestion is to schedule some private mat work with your favorite instructor. Ask them to audio tape it or at least give you a “cheat sheet.” This is someone who knows your body, how and when you cheat and what modifications need to be made to certain exercises to keep you safe and working hard. If that’s not a good option for you, go to www.balancedbody.com. They offer a great variety of DVD titles – start with a beginner video and see how it goes. Watch the video a few times before you try it – make sure you understand the exercises and even consider going slower than the video instructor to start – to make sure you’re focusing on your form.

What about equipment? Start with a comfortable mat. There are many great mats out on the market. I would recommend one that is not too cushy so you can feel your spine and pelvic placement. I like the four-fold mats sold by Balanced Body. They can be great for mimicking some reformer foot work and offer stability as well. I also keep a medium sized playground ball, a magic circle (ring), a 55 cm fit ball and a towel handy..

Now you’ve been doing your own mat work, attending your reformer classes and feeling like you need more. You are determined to make the big leap and purchase a reformer. First, let us set some ground rules. The reason you have had tremendous results (physically and mentally) from your reformer classes is because you have an expert guiding and watching your every move – spotting things in your movement and your body and communicating the information back to you. You don’t have to think about what to do next, you simply have to follow cues and do the work as instructed. I have seen many clients with incredible intentions purchase a reformer and then 8 months later admit it’s become a clothing rack. Unless you are planning to attend a comprehensive reformer certification class, apprentice in a studio and then teach for a while, you really shouldn’t be managing your own reformer workouts. In other words, if you feel you will benefit from practicing on your own reformer – terrific. But remember that this will not replace regular, bi-weekly instruction from a certified instructor. If you are still interested in a reformer, there are many good ones on the market, Peak and Balance Body are the two I like the most. I would purchase a wooden reformer. The wood is so sturdy and smooth – it is probably similar to what you’re working on in your studio. Just make sure to buy your reformer from a reputable company – this is about safety and yours shouldn’t be compromised. If you have children, keep your Pilates room locked once you add your reformer – again, think safety.

There are many teachers that will make house visits. It would be a good idea to hire a coach to periodically come in and watch you work at home. They can focus on what habits you’re practicing (good and bad) in your own environment.

I love my own little studio in my home. I normally teach about 8 hours a day, but make certain to squeeze a good hour in daily at my home studio. It’s my own little oasis. I have trees right out side of my window often frequented by many birds, and a pond just a ways back. Hearing my soft classical music, the birds chirping, and the water feature trickling into the pond – it’s almost an hour-long vacation each day!

Guest Contributor-Troy McCarty

About Troy-McCarty- the owner and director of White Cloud Studios encountered the world of Pilates while working as a professional dancer in New York City in 1988 and has been doing Pilates ever since.

Troy moved to Cleveland 1995 and opened Cleveland’s first Pilates Studio, the White Cloud Studio in Lakewood. Now with two to other studios in Chagrin Falls and Cleveland Heights, White Cloud has been changing bodies in Cleveland for 8 years. Troy McCarty’s White Cloud Studios were the first to introduce Pilates to the Cleveland Indians, the Cleveland Cavaliers and to the Cleveland San Jose Ballet. Because of his expertise, Troy McCarty is a regular fitness consultant to Channel 5 and appears frequently on other stations.

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Oct 27

Risa Sheppard

By Laurette Ryan


Recently, I had the great pleasure of meeting 2nd generation teacher Risa Sheppard. A Pilates teacher with amazing energy and love for the integrity of the work. So Pilates friends – if you haven’t had the same pleasure -yet…. here she is!

LR :  How did you discover Pilates, Risa?

Risa: It was 1975. I had just graduated from UCLA in theatre arts, and was an “ingénue” actress here in Los Angeles.  I had studied dance and  drama, but was not a professional dancer.  But I loved to move. I was cast in several plays that required me to “move” well. I heard of this thing called “Body Contrology,” which Ron Fletcher had brought out from New York. He had studied under a man named Joe Pilates. Ron’s studio was in Beverly Hills, above the Aidea Grey salon. Lots of celebrities, such as Ali McGraw and Katharine Ross, were coming in to get in shape. I was intrigued. I tried it, and I loved it. I felt like a dancer, without being a dancer. I still wanted to be an actress, but I fell in love with the work, and within a short time I was asked by Ron to teach. I was just thrown into the water, so to speak. I started to be more successful as a teacher than as an actress. Although I had acted in soap operas, I started to perform on television even more, as a “fitness expert.” I had found my niche.

LR: You’ve been in the field a long time, what do you think of Pilates surging popularity? What are the benefits and drawbacks?

Risa: The surging popularity of Pilates has been good for my business, but I have also seen its drawbacks. The benefits are that people have become very aware of Pilates and are looking for ways to do it. For a long time in my early career, no one had ever heard of Pilates, mostly thinking that aerobics and Jane Fonda were the only things synonymous with fitness. Now, at least in Los Angeles, there is a Pilates studio on every corner. People don’t know that they don’t know. Pilates, or as I still prefer, “Body Contrology,” is “about movement, it is not just an exercise regimen.” But some studios are indeed making it just an exercise program, making it like “aerobics” of the 1980s. It has become about making people “sweat” instead of making people move well. “Control of the body” has lost it’s meaning in today’s fast-paced society. We must maintain the control or else we just repeat the mistakes of the past. Our bodies become injured if they are not trained properly, and it can give Pilates a bad name.

LR : Do you have a favorite exercise?

Risa: I love all the movements because they require grace and agility with strength. I don’t really have a favorite. However I always like to include the spine stretch each time I work on the reformer, because it involves most the muscle groups, it stretches the back, and it requires a great deal of control and concentration. I like to say, “You are as young as your spine is flexible.”

LR: You have an interesting approach with your bar, how and why did you come up with that?

Risa: I always liked to open the shoulder girdle, because it improves posture and gives us the opportunity to move our bodies in a three dimensional sequence. I also used the bar, or pole, to help stretch the client and give them the feeling of using a tool that keeps them in proper alignment. About 6 years ago, along with two of my longest-standing teachers, Ann and Jeff Grimaldo, we decided to come up with a mat routine, based on my mat work that I have been doing for all these years. Ann and Jeff are modern dancers, so we incorporated some dance movements in with the classic Pilates and the Sheppard Method floor work. I had a serious surgery about 5 years ago, so we abandoned the work for a while, but recently resurrected the syllabus and began teaching it again.

LR:   What advice would you give to new Pilates teachers?

Risa: Don’t think you know it all. I used to think I knew it all, and have discovered as I matured that I knew less and less, and enjoy learning more and more. Be patient, and don’t call yourself a “master” until you’ve been teaching at least 10 or more years. Learn your craft. Most of all, remember it is about the client, not about you. Don’t try to give them your agenda; it’s about them and their needs.

LR: What has been the impact of Pilates in your life?

Risa: Wow! First of all, it has provided me with a good standard of living for 35 years. Secondly, it has kept me healthy and fit. But most of all, it has allowed me to be of service to others. It is so rewarding to have a client feel better and happier because of your treatment. I’m so grateful to have found this discipline at an early age, and I feel very fortunate to be able to make a living at what I love doing.

You can find out more about Risa Sheppard at:

http://sheppardmethod.com

I’m packing my bags for CA and the PMA Annual Conference, will report back soon!


 Laurette Ryan - Owner
Balancepoint Pilates
617-435-3185
www.balancepointpilates.com
www.balancepointstudios.com
www.pilatesworkoutblog.com

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Aug 12

The question isn’t should you? or how? it’s “Will you? ” I love my vacation and make certain to get at least 2 weeks in every year. I try not to work, …but I really enjoy my work so I’m always brainstorming new ideas for classes and workshops. It’s great to love your work and luckily mine is Pilates. So usually the first few days -I just stretch and stretch and stretch. We’re very active as a family and can log about 5-10 miles a day just strolling around and exploring our surroundings. Stretching at the end of a busy day is not only a lovely treat   it’s a necessity!

About day three -if I haven’t done my Pilates exercise that’s when my body starts rebelling a little. Years ago after many years of dance training and high-impact aerobics had taken their toll- I had low back and neck issues and when I go for long periods without doing pilates exercises it all comes back.

So I will do my Pilates on vacation! I generally do the basics- original order Mat is great, but even just a quick AB5 ,Roll-up, Swimming and push-ups- keeps my core in tune.  I also enjoy the famous towel exercises taught by Ron Fletcher. A towel is an amazing prop for strengthening and stretching. So I will do my exercises! It is a MUST DO, and also a delightful way to keep one moving with “spontaneous zest and pleasure” as Joe would say, throughout one’s vacation.

Will you do your Pilates on vacation?

Laurette Ryan

Balancepoint Pilates

www.balancepointpilates.com

www.LauretteRyan.com

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Oct 18

Real Men- DO-do Pilates!

An Interview with Bernie Nelson- An Up and Coming Force in the Pilates World.

By Laurette Ryan

www.balancepointpilates.com

I met Bernie about 2 years ago at a Pilates Business Discussion group at the 2009 PMA convention. Bernie is a big guy, with a big voice and a big personality. He has an open and friendly way about him that makes everyone feel at ease. Still he was a bit of a curious figure at the convention, not the former dancer type and so in that respect he stood out and piqued my interest.

We see all types of female participants in Pilates, but not as many males and this is something we all find a puzzle. After all Joseph Pilates was a man (not a dancer) and developed his regimen for men to do. Seeing someone like Bernie out there, so obviously passionate about the work was exciting and then finding out that Bernie Nelson is the founder of The Pilates Roundtable convention in West Palm Beach,Florida, I knew Bernie is a guy to keep your eye on.

So I recently asked Bernie a few questions. I know you will enjoy hearing about him and this new educational Pilates conference.

LR What is your back ground? How long have you been teaching Pilates?

BN I was born and raised in Atlantic Ia., A small town in the southwest corner of Iowa. I was very active in sports growing up and excelled in football and wrestling. These sports and my father is what I feel most contributed to my work ethic. I was a personal trainer and massage therapist when I first discovered Pilates. That was just over 10 years ago. I took a weekend workshop on how to teach mat pilates and I have to be honest It did not really interest me. I was doing bodybuilding at the time and was in great shape but did not have the flexibility to perform the Pilates exercises. Picture this there were just over 100 people in the workshop out of which there was 3 other males. The men were built completely different from myself they weighed around 150 to 160 lbs. and I weighed 260 lbs and was about 10% body fat. As I looked around I saw that I did not really fit the picture and I was not that impressed with the workshop and walked away thinking I would never be teaching Pilates. Fortunately I ended working with a person that was involved with a Pilates teacher training school that reintroduced me to the works of Pilates. Once I saw people working on the machines I was truly hooked. I went through their program and begun my teaching career. Since that first mom and pop program I have went through Kane School of Core Integration of New York for which I helped to facilitate their program in Florida from my studio. I have also obtained the PMA Certification and I am currently attending the Lolita San Miguel Pilates Master Mentoring Program. I also have my own teacher training program called Body & Core Pilates which I have been facilitating for the past 3 years.

LR What motivated you to start doing Pilates?

BN At first I was truly intrigued by the biomechanics of the work. It just made since to me. Know don’t get me wrong I was quite a meat head. When I played football in college and was bodybuilding I was from the bigger, stronger, faster mind set and overloading was very much part of my workout routine. But as I got more and more involved with pilates and my body got older and older I realized I was training the wrong way. I am now 41 and have lived a very active life by growing up wrestling and playing football through high school. Continuing to play football all the way through college getting into bodybuilding threw my early 30’s. My body took a lot of abuse and thank god I found Pilates. I have a bad knee, hip and shoulder and Pilates tends to keep me out of pain. Every once in a while I get too busy and my practice falls by the wayside. This is when I discover how much I need my pilates workouts. My body tells me so.


LR Tell me about where you teach, do you own a studio? ,work with clients at home, etc.?

BN I own and workout of my studio, Body & Core Pilates, in Palm Beach Gardens, Fl. I primarily teach one-on-ones but over the last two years I have added Redcord (suspension), Reformer and Mat classes. I teach in season around 40 hours a week privates and maybe 4 – 5 classes. Out of season I teach 25 to 30 hours privates and 5 to 7 Classes. I also teach teacher training workshops at least 2 weekends a month. I am a bit of a workaholic.

LR. This past Sept. was the 2nd Annual Pilates Roundtable Conference, seems like running a conference is a big project. How much work is it, what goes into the planning? Do you have a staff that helps you?

BN The conference is a big project. The first year I used the staff of my studio to assist with the planning and facilitating of the conference. They were a big help but it was a very costly event so the second year I did all by myself. It is a tremendous amount of work and I was a little reluctant to do it again this year. I had a lot of advice not to have it this year but I also had a lot of the attendee’s from the previous year’s conference requesting it. I have learned that hosting a conference is an expensive endeavor and takes a great deal planning and time. I imagine it would be a bit different if I commercialized it and our primary purpose was to sell a certain type of equipment or a certain style of education. If I did this it would open another revenue stream and I would be able to hire a staff. I can’t see this happening though, for our goal is to bring education from many different styles of Pilates so that the attendees have a chance to experience and learn things they are not normally available to.

LR Why did you start this conference?

BN When I opened my studio I realized how hard it is to run this type of business. I knew I needed education and did not know where to get it. I was a personal trainer and massage therapist before a Pilates instructor and needed education that fit my personality and knowledge. I started to attend Pilates conferences all over the country and loved what I got from them. At the same time I began to organize little social gathering for local Pilates instructors to network and discuss what was happening in their studios and practices. At the 2009 Pilates Method Alliance conference in Phoenix AZ. It became evident to me that there were only a few instructors from my area in attendance.  Now I knew there were hundreds of Pilates instructors in my area and to only have a few at the conference worried me a bit. A couple of weeks after the PMA conference we hosted a gathering of Pilates instructors. Where I asked the question why there was not a better representation of our area at the PMA conference. They all came back with that it was too expensive and that the workshops did not apply to their needs.  That’s when I decided to create the Pilates Round Table and host our first conference. The goal is to make the conference about the education and the needs of the Pilates instructor while keeping in the price range of their budget.  We also wanted to make sure that if an instructor wanted to travel to our conference it would not be as expensive as other conferences.

LR What were some of the highlights at the conference this year?

BN Where to start?  The conference really did what it was created to do.  We had 9 of the top presenters in the Pilates industry representing 9 different styles of Pilates.  Our workshops were 3 hours long and had no more than 15 attendees per session.  This way the presenter had ample time to teach their workshop and the attendees had the opportunity to ask questions.  There were workshops on equipment along with workshops on the mat.  We covered suspension training, which we are seeing more and more Pilates studios are offering.  We also offered Yamuna Body Rolling for the hips. But for the most part we stayed to the Pilates theme.  The Conference is 6 three hour workshops, 3 one hour workout classes, two general presentations, 5 meals and a cocktail networking party. The cost is only $575. If you register by November 1st, 2010 by putting down a deposit of $200 the cost will be only $400. The deposit is fully refundable until June 1st, 2011at which time the remaining $200 will be due.

LR How do you chose the presenters, and do you feel they are representative of state of Pilates currently/in what respect?

BN I choose the presenters a few ways.  First I listen to the people that early register.  I feel if they are willing to put their hard earned money down as a deposit they should have some input on the conference.  I do have some stipulations thou.  I am looking to bring the presenters from outside our area.  The PRT (Pilates Round Table) conference is about education and not ego.  I want every participant to feel like they are a part of this conference and not in competition with the presenter.  Plus I think if a local educator would do better by hosting workshops in their own studio and our conference is more for the chance to get education that is not just around the corner.  I have my own teacher training program and I do not present at the PRT.  Another way I choose our presenters is they have to be more about being a part of our conference than just presenting to get a paycheck.  Our presenters have the passion to teach and want to be more of an educator and less of a salesman.  We are also looking for presenters that truly know what they are presenting.  For instance this year we had Rebecca Leone teaching “The Critical Eye | Mapping the Body for Alignment and Strength”. This is a workshop that she has been developing over the past two years and has great video footage on the net.

LR Do you attend other conferences, educational workshops, etc.?

BN I attended the last two PMA conferences and their teacher training summit.  I will also be attending this year’s PMA conference in Long Beach Ca.  I have attended two conferences put on by Pilates Style Magazine.  I am also just finishing up with a 200 hour mentorship with Lolita San Miguel.  I think it is so vital to keep yourself involved with education.


LR Will there be a 3rd Pilates Round Table Conference?

BN Yes! There will be a 3rd Annual Pilates Round Table Conference. We have just booked the Crowne Plaza Hotel in West Palm Beach, Florida for September 23rd – 25th, 2011. Our conference is structured to be all about the education. We like to keep the workshops limited to no more than 30 attendees per session. This means we only have room for a total of 200 attendees.  Just as this years conference there will be 6 three hour workshops, 3 one hour workout classes, two hour long general presentation, 5 meals and 1 cocktail party.  Normal registration is $575 but if you want to assure yourself a seat at the 3rd Annual Pilates Round Table Conference and are willing to put a $200 deposit down, which is fully refundable till June 1st 2011, the conference registration will be only $400.


LR Do you have a favorite Pilates exercise?

BN I don’t have just one favorite exercise.  When my body hurts the most I tend to do a lot of foot series and arm circles on the reformer followed by some tower work and leg circles on the Cadillac and of course spine articulation with the roll up/down and the hundred.

As you can see Bernie is an interesting guy with a great vision of the future of Pilates to contact him:

Bernie Nelson, President

Pilates Round Table

4103 Burns Rd.

Palm Beach Gardens, Fl. 33410

Phone: 561-775-8416

Web: www.pilatesroundtable.com Email: bernie@pilatestroundtable.com

Laurette Ryan

Balancepoint Pilates



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Sep 4

EMPOWER your Pilates…

by Laurette Ryan

www.balancepointpilates.com

The Pilates method of exercise has got to be one of the best systems out there. What I’ve enjoyed most through my many years of learning and teaching is it’s versatility . It is precise structure and evolving creativity. Those who preach that it is either-or , I feel miss the point. I have often been struck by the information imparted by various 1st generation teachers who will readily contend that while Joseph Pilates devised a very specific method, he also taught to the individual, was always creating and evolving his own work.

Whether you are a student or teacher of Pilates you should first become very grounded in the precise structure, learn the original order of exercises, practice perfect form and of course know the back round and history. When you have experienced this for a time and feel confident then you should seek out some evolutions , deviations and fusions. In exploring the creative interpretations of the work you often unlock potential flexibility or strength which can later be applied to the Classical form to improve your execution of the exercises.

I have many times now, gone through this process . First immersing myself in the classical work and then the contemporary or evolved interpretation. Each time, I find I develop a better appreciation of Joseph Pilates’ method. I have discovered many things about the exercises and my body, my muscles and movement patterns. These are revelations that not only help me, but help me teach the work to others.

Empowering your Pilates means to invest your Pilates with power! A power to not just change your body (read here “get a six-pack”) but to change the way in which your body “is” in the world and how you “feel” in that body.

Empowering your Pilates experience means trusting yourself as your “best” personal trainer. The classical method is genius. Try to get to know the classical method as well as your body will let you. There will likely be exercises which won’t work for you, especially in your first months and years. Expanding your somatic experience with contemporary Pilates or other modalities like Yoga, Dance and Bodywork can open doors to more informed movement.

Joseph Pilates cites many examples in the natural world of animal and their “natural rhythm” . Have you sought out your own “natural rhythm”. Learn your foundation well, and then don’t be afraid to march to the beat of your own inner drum. I think that’s what Joe did….what do you think?

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Dec 5

Pilates -The Path to a Profession

by Laurette Ryan

www.balancepointpilates.com

I feel that teaching the Pilates method whether contemporary or classical is a worthy and noble profession. I have been in many social settings, where, when asked what I did for work, felt I had to explain a whole lot, rather than just say-Pilates teacher. The reason I imagine is that most people outside of the fitness or mind body modalities (though even sometimes these people as well) will not understand or will supremely underestimate the work I do, every day.

I recently attended the teacher training summit held by the Pilates Method Alliance in Dallas, Texas. This summit was held to address the future path of the Pilates community as it pertained to “certification”. The speakers were very knowledgeable and clearly defined the options the Pilates community are facing. I was happy that the information was presented in a distinctly unbiased fashion. There were many representatives from all over the country and some international training programs present. Everyone was treated equally. Large mega-training companies and small studio based programs were all cordially listened to. I have heard , but not personally experienced that in the past the PMA was difficult to deal with. I am happy to report that I believe this is definitely a past issue and the PMA has worked hard to correct these perceptions. This PMA is focused on it’s members and the future of Pilates for teachers as well as the general public.

One theme I kept noticing was that the focus is truly on the future, working towards positive and beneficial outcomes and is not at all fear-based. In line with this, the new mission statement of the PMA is: “The Pilates Method Alliance (PMA) is the international, not-for-profit, professional association dedicated to the teachings of Joseph H. and Clara Pilates. Our mission is to foster community, integrity and respect for diversity; establish certification and continuing education standards; and promote the Pilates method of exercise.”

Our first speaker was James Henderson PHD, Executive Vice Pres.,CASTLE Worldwide, Inc., he is a Psychometrician for the National Commission for Certifying Agencies. He spoke to us on the definitions of, and pathways of credentialing, in a meaningful way, various professions. He really gave us a lot of information, which for many of us creative types, may have been a bit dry, but absolutely needed, so that we, as Pilates professionals, can really understand just where our profession stands today in 2009 and where it will likely go in the future and how we can help direct that.

Our second speaker, Carole Ostendorf, PhD, PT, spoke from her personal experience as the CEO of a Massage Therapy school and Executive Director of COMTA ( Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation). Ostendorf was an engaging speaker, who relayed to us some real and practical advice about the process of credentialing.

Both speakers were aptly chosen, and as stated previously, gave us their unbiased opinions and information.

After listening, we were given the opportunity to question the speakers. The Pilates Method Alliance as a group, then discussed the issues which face us at this juncture. We are at a place where we as a professional community can organize and police ourselves or the other option may be, we can wait, and let local and state governments in the U.S. provide us with guidelines and parameters. Personally I opt to be evaluated as a professional, by an organization that has a true understanding of what it is, that I actually do. For the most part and overwhelmingly there was a rather strong agreement on the proposals brought forth by the Pilates Method Alliance. The primary point being that, knowing the true meaning and value of the word “certification”. We would agree to take that particular term out of our description of what you would receive after completing Pilates teacher training. Instead, other terms such as, diploma, certificate, assessment-based certificate, *graduate would be used. The word certification would be reserved for the PMA Certification exam only. It appeared,from the informal vote, that we agreed to that and most companies will strive to be in compliance with this by July 1,2010.

By providing and directing student-teachers to a third party unbiased credential, we empower them in dealing with each other, the public and the state. This was a major point at this Summit. Also discussed was a registry of Teacher Training School to be listed with the PMA and the guidelines to be included in this registry, and the Fostering Future Professionals program for student-teachers enrolled in training programs.

I run a small teacher training program, I like it small, because we truly want to mentor our teachers. Everything the PMA offered for consideration would help and enhance what I offer. I feel it would improve the experience for teachers and offers the public a way to truly be discerning their experience of locating a Pilates teacher.

We don’t want to have to explain our profession to the public in order to receive the respect we think it is deserving of. When I teach Mat class it may look like I’m doing the same thing as your step aerobics instructor, but that could not be further from the truth. I say that, not to disrespect the group exercise instructor, because I’ve done that (group ex.) too, but because it’s plainly a fact. When I work with someone on the Cadillac or Reformer , it is not likely the same thing as your gym’s personal trainer is doing with his selection of equipment. ( I’ve been one of those too..) I want to be recognized as a Pilates professional. I want it to be understood as easily as other professions, occupational therapist, chiropractor, even plummer …nobody looks confused when somebody says they are employed in one of these professions… I want that level of understanding, that respect.

Giving potential and current teachers a clear-cut pathway to becoming a professional, through credentialing is an intelligent direction for the community to move in. Teachers have expressed concern that the PMA will become a monopoly-like entity, where you must join, and must take their exam and there will be no other alternatives. Having been involved in health and fitness for almost 30 years, I am not at all convinced of that. Besides Pilates, I have been involved and employed in the fields of Health & Wellness, Massage Therapy, Group Exercise and Personal Training, I know that the PMA may be the first third party credentialing for Pilates , but is likely, not the last.

The reality is the PMA is here and now, they are listening to their membership, the community and others. The foundations for creating a career road map exist. We can be an integral voice in the direction of Pilates as a profession. Pilates is at a critical point, Joseph Pilates is not here to personally mentor, train and guide his teaching progeny. We could let the group exercise , personal training world absorb us into their ranks or let local and state governments tell us what they think the Hundreds should look like, or we can be the masters of our own future. Reminiscing about they way it used to be is a beautiful pastime, but will not serve us in 2010 or beyond. I personally love the old stories, I want to be connected to that past, but I am also excited and hopeful for the future. A future which is full of positive possibilities, as demonstrated by what I hope is the first of many more Teacher Training Summits.

Laurette Ryan

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Jul 6

 

The “Real” Benefits of Pilates

by Laurette Ryan

www.balancepointpilates.com

 

Pilates, as we’ve all seen numerous times, has a laundry list of benefits. They range from the physical to the emotional and mental and at times the spiritual. Pilates teachers will espouse the toned muscles -especially fantastic abs or six-pack you will get by doing pilates exercises. They will say you’ll be longer and leaner. You’ll be more mobile and flexible and strengthen your “core” . Teachers will tell you- you will improve neuro-muscular coordination, improve your concentration and reduce stress.

I am always rambling on to anyone who shows the least bit of interest in starting an exercise program all the amazing virtues of Pilates exercise, Joseph Pilates, Pilates history and the wonders of the fit & healthy lifestyle. At times, these slightly interested individuals seem to look at me with a face that says a. I’m sorry I brought it up, or b. how can I gracefully escape or c. wow, she is obsessed, the rumors are true!

However, personally, I am always impressed when I hear the benefits of training directly from my students. I know by heart the list of benefits, but when one of my students relates to me a story about how their exercise program has helped them in their daily lives, that’s when I feel fulfilled. Those stories spur me on,as a teacher, to keep preaching and teaching Pilates, health and fitness.

One of my favorite stories is about the ladies who went to Egypt,( they participate in one of my 50+ age groups). They came back from their amazing vacation and told me how excited they were, that they could swing their legs on up and get on a camel to ride of to a fancy dinner which was schedule for their tour group. Or the woman who went to China and had to use those restroom facilities which require you to straddle and squat , a feat she was sure would have been difficult, if not impossible, except for her dedication to attending our class. The gentleman who after attending Pilates for a year was able to kiss “The Blarney Stone”, he was a big guy and well over 6 feet tall. Real benefits here for middle-aged and older adults to help them to keep enjoying adventures in their lives.

I, also love to hear the stories, maybe less adventurous, but nonetheless priceless. The person who spent some time with her mother-in-law and had to keep lifting the relative’s wheel-chair in and out of her van. She was so thrilled to be able to do this and additionally to have no pain or soreness afterward.

The women who have bounced back with vigor after childbirth. The many individuals who have found recovery from accidents, surgeries and injuries to be not only completely possible , but easier .

Knowing the effects of their stories to inspire me, I asked one of my classes today to write down, what Pilates and exercise in general has done for them. Here are some of their responses.

“ Exercise helps alleviate the stiffness that comes with aging” and “able to do more gardening without the aches and pains. Feel good after class.”

Peggy writes “ am 8 mos. Post hip replacement, and starting this exercise class 2 mos .ago- definitely more flexible and strong. More importantly I feel empowered to restore wellness.”

Also- “recently, I stumbled and would have fallen, I’m sure, but was able to catch myself because of my “core” strengthened by regular exercise.”, Deanna.

I myself also have a real life story . Just last November, I returned home from the Pilates Method Alliance Convention very late at night. The next morning very early, I was half asleep wearing overly long fuzzy pajamas, I went to descend a stair case and on the top step…I went down….literally all the way down , one whole floor, on my back (luge style)- I was thrilled to not have broken any bones but was amazed that not only didn’t I have any bruises – I didn’t have any soreness, misalignments or discomfort of any kind! I have to attribute it to a flexible spine and strong core, all the result of regular Pilates practice.

So instead of a laundry list, here are some real life benefits. Keep moving – Do your Pilates today !

Laurette

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Jun 13

 

Pilates Certified?

By Laurette Ryan

www.balancepointpilates.com

 

 

Having been actively teaching in the movement,dance, fitness, mind-body world since I was 15 years old in 1977, my opinions on certifications have been changing & evolving for over 30 years. Yikes, that’s a little scary to admit and yet I feel that my longevity in the field should lend some support to my conclusions. The first time I heard of certification was in 1984, while teaching fitness classes for a small chain of womens’ fitness studios. They held their own “ certification” course, which actually wasn’t half bad. It took two full-time weeks (9-5 Daily) to complete and it did teach basic anatomy, nutrition and exercise theory.

Shortly after, I learned about “ National Certification”. My first one was with NDEITA. It was a weekend deal, kind of easy- I didn’t learn anymore than my first “ certification” but they claimed to have a “national” recognition. Next came AFAA and IDEA ( before ACE). I went with AFAA in 1985 and soon earned all of their “certifications”. In 1989 I took ACE -American Council on Exercise, Personal Trainer Certification. In the 90’s I did several AAAI certifications. In 1999 I took Physicalmind Certification. These are just my movement certifications.

Here’s what my experience has taught me, I learned something from every one of these. There was none I had wished I hadn’t taken. But with the exception of ACE, these programs,tests and exams may not have been actual “certifications”. ACE was granted accreditation by National Commission for Certifying Agencies in 2003. Now what I’ve learned over the years about a lot of other programs out there is this, some are educational, some are Certifications and some are Continuing Education.

Educational Programs teach you the foundational skills required. Certifications measure your knowledge and ability to apply that knowledge in the field. Continuing Education keeps the professional updated and improving their skills.

In our Pilates world the designation of certification has been incorrectly used to describe courses and programs more clearly belonging in the foundational or continuing educational categories. These courses and programs are still extremely valuable. Without these courses the teacher would not be able to pass the certification. Think of it like this, when you go to take your test to get a drivers license- it’s like your certification to be a driver… but taking a drivers ed course alone doesn’t allow you to legally drive. Even though you passed the Drivers Ed test- you still need to take your legal driving test. Additionally some drivers ed courses may be more thorough or better designed and turn out better drivers, and sometimes people are just better drivers no matter which courses they take, if any!

What about Pilates Certification? I, myself have provided a training course since 1999. I had been a Continuing Education Provider for Fitness Professionals since 1985 and found the choices of Pilates training programs, not to suit my area or taste in Pilates work . At one time we did call our training a certification. Having become more educated over the years, we opted last year to call our programs, Teacher Training and offer a Certificate of Completion or Achievement for our many programs.

We have watched the organization of The Pilates Method Alliance grow. We have watched as they developed an International Examination which measures Pilates knowledge. I believe this examination should be the standard. Then the public has a baseline at least to go by when choosing teachers. Honestly the public, the masses out there unfortunately do not know Mary Bowen from Mary Tyler Moore, which is sad for them.

We love our 1st generation, we can still be trained in their lineages. We certainly never want the government to step in and require licensure. So we must police ourselves in an effective manner. The PMA requires those sitting for the examination to have certain requirements of training in the field. Joe Shmoe (sorry Joe) personal trainer cannot sit for this examination. I’m pleased in the direction the PMA has taken in these matters. My hope is that NCCA accreditation is next for the PMA exam. We are currently encouraging all our teachers to strive to pass this International Examination.

The PMA is holding an open meeting of all Teacher Training groups, small and large to discuss these matters in November 2009 , Dallas see the PMA website and get involved www.pilatesmethodalliance.org maybe I’ll see & meet you there !

 

Fondly, Laurette

 

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May 15

Becoming a Pilates Teacher
by Laurette Ryan , Balancepoint Pilates
www.balancepointpilates.com

 My personal journey into the Pilates world starts in the dance studio many years ago. I was lucky to have a teacher who knew the Pilates exercises and used them as part of a proper warm-up. Even as a teen, I recognized the benefit of the training and continued to use them as my life progressed from dance-world to fitness-world through the 80’s and 90’s. At the time I had no idea there were teachers and instructors still teaching Joseph Pilates method, originally called “contrology” out there in the big world.
 I re-discovered the Pilates movement in 1999. I was already heavily involved in the fitness industry. I managed a major group Exercise Department at a large fitness facility, owned my own Exercise Studio, had a local cable fitness show and provide continuing education for fitness professionals. In 1999 something interesting happened, I was looking for something new to do, to keep my attention, when I happened upon a Jennifer Kreis video. I was in love with movement again. It resonated with me , it was so hard , yet so natural for me. I started a class and really didn’t care if I was the only one there. ( The beauty of being the one who creates the class schedule at a facility). This workout- worked! No other ab- routine had this quick effective result. I would know, in my 25 years of teaching , I’ve had 4 children !
 I found there were few training and /or certifying organizations at that time. Most teachers apprenticed under a master to learn the craft. I took a few “certifications” and then decided with my background in exercise science and dance as well as other movement modalities to create my own training program , so the teachers I would employ would share my view of Pilates ( and believe me -there are many diverse views on Pilates) . I also felt that the training program I taught would have to be one which could provide continuing education credits through a major fitness certification.
 Skipping ahead to today becoming a Pilates teacher has a more defined framework. This is a blessing as everyone does Pilates today and qualified teachers are important. Everyone can’t be taught by a master (original student of Joseph Pilates) so a relevant framework is necessary. These days a teacher goes through a comprehensive training program which should be designed to teach exercise science theory,the history of Pilates and his method, all apparatus and exercise repertoire, client screening and safety & liability. My feeling is all training programs should prepare the teacher to take the PMA Certification Exam. www.pilatesmethodalliance.org  The PMA test is great way for teachers to show they are qualified to the general public. I also feel the training doesn’t end there. Training to be a Pilates professional never, never ends.
 My personal opinion is also that training programs should focus on training professional teachers, not on the selling of Pilates products and equipment. In teaching teachers we should aim to create educated , intelligent , open minds  who are capable to choose the type of apparatus and props that help them best teach the work. Every time I have taken a seminar/workshop with a 1st generation teacher, I am always so inspired by how open to learning, exploring and growing they still are. My personal wish on my journey with Pilates work is that I end up just like that. Thank You Joe, Thank you, 1st generation!

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Apr 5

Pilates is a workout and a philosophy.  The history surrounding  the work of Joseph Pilates is rich and inspiring. The Pilates workout has basic principles which should guide each teacher and student through the work.
 The first principle is Whole Body Movement. Though many think of Pilates as an AB or core body workout, it was truly designed  to integrate the whole body . To strength and stretch the entire body  is the ultimate goal. In his book, Joseph Pilates states that physical fitness is the first requisite of  health and happiness.  During pilates exercises all muscles are active in some way, either as prime movers, assistors or stabilizers.
 The next principle is Breathing.  Every movement is facilitated by breath.  The general rule is to exhale on flexion, inhale on extension and rotation. Joseph writes extensively on breathing, and the importance of breathing and fresh air for general health.
 Muscle balance refers to an even conditioning of all muscles.  We know that muscle imbalances create misalignment and can cause injury and disease. Pilates stresses a balanced ,even development of all muscles.
 Concentration and Control are principles of conscious control of the body, mastery of movement, a mindful approach to exercise. Our brains and nervous systems control the movements of our muscles. Being mentally engaged during exercise produces far greater results.
 The Centering of the body is an interesting concept. When one centers the body they are effectively distributing body weight in order to create efficient or economical movement. To center while standing imagine an imaginary line from the crown of the head  through the center of the body to the heels. The weight is even in the feet, legs under the hips, pelvis neutral, (hips/asis in line with the pubic bone in the frontal plane) the ribs stacked over the pelvis , head  is right over torso, ears in line with the shoulders in the side view. When we are centered moving from this point happens with ease.
 Precision as a principle refers to moving with determined accuracy. To move your body in a specific way , stabilizing all other unnecessary movement. There are no sloppy or lazy movements in Pilates.
Rhythm  is the principle of creating flowing natural movement. Each exercise has a rhythm and by mastering the other principles of Muscle balance, concentration , control, centering, precision, breathing and whole body movement you will achieve rhythm.
  All principles are intertwined and equally important in your practice of Pilates training. You can always just copy and mimic the classic Pilates exercise repertoire by ignoring these  principles, but if you desire the wonderful and amazing results of Pilates training mastering the principles just detailed are a must!
 
 

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Dec 14

The Pilates Nun: Rebecca Leone

Rebecca Leone

Rebecca Leone

by Laurette Ryan

www.balancepointpilates.com

Okay Pilates enthusiasts, have you met the Pilates Nun? Do you have one of her delightful pens? Or had the good fortune to attend one of her workshops? Yes?- you lucky dog! No?- well you must put her, on your list to do! The Pilates Nun (aka Rebecca Leone) and I sat down for a chat last month, well because I think it’s important that you know , “Who’s who” in Pilates and also because she is heading a worthy crusade to improve the quality of Pilates training, so that it is safe and effective…who couldn’t love that?

Rebecca Leone was an extremely active youth. She describes herself as a tomboy, in love with outdoors,grit on her-bugs in her hair-married to nature kind of girl. She played competitive sports with the boys, loved swimming, diving, cycling, just about any kind of physical activity. She learned these activities mainly by watching, observing , somatic-ally digesting and processing.

In her 20s she worked in the business world,developing systems and marketing her talents as a free-lancer …. being a free-lancer was great for her because it gave her time to pursue physical activities, try new things…(she is a bit of an adventurer at heart, an explorer) in the 1980s while looking for new and exciting challenges she found an article in the Portland Oregonian about Pilates. Mainly about the social history of Pilates, she found it so intriguing that she cut it out and put it in her things to do file. She could really identify with this Joe Pilates guy, so big and strong and athletic, a natural athletic ability she felt within herself. This may have been Rebecca’s love at first sight moment with Joe?

She went on later to try find out about Pilates and at the time there was only one studio listed in Seattle… she gave them a call. They were a bit unaccommodating, not giving very much information, requiring her to come in for lessons to find out about their “secret society” (my words) Pilates. They were not nice and so she decided to forget Pilates. (let’s pause here- how helpful and educating is the staff who answers the phone at your studio? How many students are lost because of this kind of Pilates elitist nonsense?) So some time goes by and Rebecca , who’s been in 3 car accidents and feeling a little stiff, is urged by a co-worker to go to her (the co-worker’s) Pilates studio. She’s reluctant because of the encounter with the 1st Pilates studio, but she goes. She of course, loves it! (you knew that would happen!) One more thing, Rebecca is also diagnosed with histoplasmosis of the eye, at this time she is looking for a new career path…. isn’t kismet, somethin’?

So here we have one active, athletic,smart, business savvy lady, who feels a cosmic connection to Joe and she’s is looking for a new and meaningful career, I love when the stars align, don’t you?

Rebecca sought out schools to become trained in Pilates. Her foundational training was with Romana Kryzanowska , she truly enjoyed her training. However she did notice there was something missing. Her training had taught her hundreds of exercises,their order and transitions and how to set-up each piece of apparatus but there was no problem solving….What about the clients who had difficulty lifting their head and shoulders comfortably, what about strengthening and stretching the back for clients who could not make progress? Rebecca started developing protocols for problem solving then and there. Her idea was that she fully intended to open her own studio and wanted to help people overcome these barriers so there would be success for her clients and her studio. She wanted her clients to know upfront what she and Pilates were all about and what it could do for them…she didn’t want them to feel as she had, that Pilates was some mysterious secret society…..come take a lesson , sign-up and then we let you in on it. Rebecca graduated her training in July 2001 and opened her studio September 2001! If you know her this will not surprise you- she’s a get-it-done kinda gal.

And that brings me to Rebecca Leone’s new mission…..

Her mission: She says she was taught wrong and she has taught wrong , and there’s video! She goes on to assert we’ve all taught wrong based on bad information…we are all sisters and brothers in that. Like many of us, her required reading in training was Anatomy of Movement. Blandine Calais-Germain… and so she read it-really read it! She also found the work of Stuart McGill and his book “Low Back Disorders” which she says became “bible” for her. What she realized is, that the way she had been taught to teach flexion had a big problem, so she applied what Blandine writes about flexion of the spine to the teaching of Pilates (4-5 years ago). Suddenly, the understanding of how much stronger you need to be to do it the way described in these writings-led her to understand Joe more. When Joe wrote about lengthening… “he puts dashes between the letters of the words, in order to let you know how much he really, really meant for you to do just that”, says Rebecca.

She began teaching workshops on this concept of resisted or lifted flexion. The deep back muscles get, as she says “ridiculously strong”! , and as far as Joe was concerned -your spine was what, it was all about! After a few years of refining her Safe Spine Teaching Technique she wanted to share this information globally. Rebecca has taken this invaluable information which she acknowledges is right there for anyone to access and shows how to apply this to the Pilates work, for many a teacher has read these books and still hasn’t understood their implication in our field.

Rebecca has identified 3 funnels for getting this information out in the public domain. First is the PMA Exam, secondly Teacher Training Schools (who are already getting on board- Balancepoint has stressed lifted flexion since 2007) and lastly, online and print media.(which are unfortunately full of examples of poorly executed exercises) She recognizes the fact that although equipment maintenance and good record keeping are important safety measures, if 86 percent of the Pilates repertoire is flexion and you teach it improperly that is the bigger safety problem. Rebecca admitted that “She is the messenger and she might get killed, but that’s alright”, her passion for this work, for Joe , for the history seems to be what drives her to help us evolve our understanding and firm-up our foundations so this work will go on.

I asked Rebecca about “The Pilates Nun” where did that come from? , she explained to me that one day a client came in and said “how was your weekend?” she had to say “Was it the weekend ?… you see I am in constant service and devotion to Joe Pilates” and so she named herself the Pilates Nun – in service, devotion and sometimes long periods of celibacy. People sometimes say she works too much and her response is, “ that that person has not found the passion in their lives and that they are not driven with this ambition to share what they have with as many people as possible. And that is what drives me”….”the information is there, and I don’t think it should be held hostage for money”, she feels her mission is to help finish Joe’s mission to have the information be available.

She cites that Joe qualified people, you had to be willing to take 3 sessions per week for 90 days in order to work with him-non-negotiable, she says if it took Joe 3 months to get the work into your body, we might be all be “screwed” because how will we get clients to commit to that? So she wanted to come up with ways for modern teachers to still “deliver the goods” without requiring the thing (coming to the studio 3 times a week for 3 months) that we can’t get today…so she teaches- at the first contact, (phone, email, etc.) get the client to understand two things :1.What I can do for you… and 2. That every session that I teach you will support the goal of you getting out bed every day of your life and your back feeling fantastic or as fantastic as it’s possible to feel.

One of her great accomplishments is being one of the first to come to PMA to teach business strategies, to teach teachers the imperative business skills needed to be successful at running a Pilates business. She credits her previous life in that field of business and marketing with giving her skills she is able to pass along to others, these are skills most often missing from primary training programs which merely teach exercises. Rebecca stresses that part of what schools should be doing is preparing teachers to go out in the market and be successful.

Our Pilates Nun is a one of a kind Pilates treasure. She freely gives away so much to our community, just go to her vimeo channel and check out all the free content on safe spine teaching and other teaching strategies. Better yet, book yourself into one of her workshops , you will be inspired, motivated , renewed and rejoicing!

Check out Rebecca Leone

http://rebeccaleone.com/

Free problem solving video site:  http://vimeo.com/channels/rebeccaleone

Free mat class video site:  http://vimeo.com/album/263363

Rebecca@RebeccaLeone.com

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Dec 7

Ron Fletcher

Reflections on a Pilates Master

Ron Fletcher

by Laurette Ryan

Sadly we mourn the loss of a real and true Pilates Master today. Ron Fletcher born May 29th 1921, died December 6, 2011. The phrase Master and Master Teacher get thrown around so frequently and recklessly these days, it used to make me crazy, but in the second half of my life, I just ignore the foolishness. However in my heart I know there are Master Teachers, they are few, they are not just good or great they are astoundingly profound! Someday, I hope to be one of those….if you teach, I hope you do too. It takes decades, not years to be a Master, you must pay your dues, learn and unlearn dozens of times and finally come to the age of discernment….(btw- you are no master once you graduate your Pilates Teacher Training School or pass the PMA, no matter how good you or your training is! )

Ron Fletcher was , is and forever more will be a Master Teacher. I had the blessing in my life to have been present in a few workshops by Ron. My favorite part was his stories. So colorful and entertaining, full of his passion for this work.

Ron inspired me first in 2003. From about 2000-2003 our little Pilates studio was growing, my teacher training program was new and I was noticing a change in the work….I had new teachers coming in and telling me about this “new” way, “better” way of doing Pilates. Hmmm I thought, maybe I had gotten it wrong, so I started setting out to learn this new way, to explore it, to do the best work I could. I sometimes felt like I had learned all wrong, taught all wrong and maybe didn’t know what I was talking about…you see my background was classical.

It was at the PMA conference in 2003 in Denver that I got my head back on straight, Thanks to Ron Fletcher. I had heard of him, but that was about it. I went to his workshop because I believe you always go to the source and he was 1st generation…since Joe passed when I was 5, access to 1st generation is as close as I ever have hope to get. As he spoke my heart leapt up in my chest, his words were my truth, the truth I knew but had been questioning. To me that workshop was like a liturgy by Reverend Ron, it soothed my soul and touched my spirit, it enlightened me , it moved me literally to tears. I had to go back to my hotel room after and could not physically attend another session. I couldn’t stop crying with joy, with gratitude… it was a – “I once was lost but now I’m found -moment”. On an occasion a few years later, I gathered my gumption after another moving, delightful lecture and went up to him to personally Thank him. He was kind and gracious but I knew my words couldn’t convey in that short exchange the deep impact he made in my journey every time I came in contact with this amazing man. A few years after that I wrote a treatise on Cuing and imagery, I dedicated it to Ron and Mary Bowen, both of whom have always inspired me with their fantastic use of language and tone. Every teacher training group I teach, they learn about Ron Fletcher, they learn what Ron Sez…. they are informed about his unique work and history because it is a valuable treasure in our Pilates culture.

I am right now feeling a little diminished by the fact that he has passed, however due to the nature of who he was, I know once my sorrow passes , I will be uplifted once again by the fact that he was here, he contributed, he graciously bestowed his vision, his work.

Rebecca Leone wrote about Ron, “RIP Ron. Every day, I breathe you, I teach you, I love you.” …I teach you….what an amazing sentiment, Ron will live on, just like Joe lives on, because we will “teach” him.

I wrote this poem a few years ago, because of all the amazing 1st Generation Master Teachers I have been blessed to hear teach….

TEACHER

( inspired by my deep fondness for all Pilates Teachers, but especially the first generation, whose contribution is immeasurable)

I looked down a dusky pathway, I thought this is my path

as I stumbled in the darkness, angels worked on my behalf.

My faith, sustained conviction, I knew this is the way

my heart’s determination -there’d be the light of day.

One day I saw a flicker, a light and I could see

I chose a certain pathway, a way that worked for me.

I kept on, down the pathway, looking for the end

wondering ’bout the destination waiting ’round the bend.

As I walked I became more learned, about the way that I was on,

I dreamed about my grand success which must only be beyond.

I thought it was about me, a journey to finding me.

Imagine my bemusement at what has come to be.

There was a bigger plan in which we all have a part.

It’s one we all discover when leading with the heart.

For the path was just a circle and when the end I’d reached,

I found myself at the beginning and now I’m called to teach,

to help all those who pick this path, guide them as they go

to shed some light on a dusky path and share what I now know.

Teaching is only guiding, let the student find his way,

so he will know the pathway, then he can lead one day.

by Laurette Ryan 9-4-10 



Great love to you all…

Laurette Ryan

Balancepoint Pilates

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