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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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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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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Nov 6


by Laurette Ryan

Just back from the PMA 2011 conference in Palm Springs. I got to connect with so many awesome teachers and benefactors of our Pilates world. It’s in those moments I know I am so lucky to have found and discovered my calling as a teacher of Joe Pilate’s work.

I am also re-energized to move this work, as a true profession, forward. In 2012, I personally, will be re-doubling my efforts to achieve critical-mass in awareness of teacher training, qualifications and certification. I feel it is essential for us (Pilates Teachers) to uphold the foundations and standards of our work and move forward together, blazing the trail on the pathway to professional recognition.

The percentage of truly “certified” teachers is still small. This does not reflect the percentage of “qualified” teachers, whom I believe there are a great number! Helping the public have some idea who to go to for “real” Pilates, (not referring to style or lineage-but instead-*not core class,ab class etc.) becomes more difficult everyday as more and more fitness instructors read an article online or in print and suddenly add “Pilates” to their repertoire of “can teach”! AND the public has no idea!

We are in the days of the Barber/Dentist. 200 years ago, if you had a bad tooth you went to your local Barber to have it extracted. Today people would never consider that- but they will go to their aerobic instructor for Pilates , and it’s basically just as outrageous. In the 17th century,Pierre Fauchard, “the father of modern dentistry” was probably not well-liked by the Barbers of his day. The Barber/Dentist continued well into the 19th century, let’s hope it doesn’t take 2 centuries for Pilates to become it’s own field of study! Barbers, I am sure, felt they were in fact, very qualified to take care of dental concerns, and resented the implication that it would take an entire educational experience devoted to that practice to do such. (sound familiar yet?) The parallels here are uncanny. Now Barbers are great at what they do -but they are not Dentists and we all, easily, see that today. I long for the day that will be the case in our profession. The day when we appreciate what our group exercise and personal trainers can do for us, but would never consider going to them for advice or lessons in Pilates.

You’ve heard my rants on the benefits of 3rd Party credentialing and true “certification” -I know this is a huge part of getting us to the goal of being a Profession, a real career. At this point, those of you who cannot see or understand this, have their heads in the sand- the time is now to look up and look forward. We join hands and heart together, inclusive. (Feel the Pilates love-I’m calling it Pil-love -that’s what happens after 4 day love-fest with your Pilates peeps in the desert!) There is room for all qualified Pilates teachers in this, by getting “certified” “3rd party credentialed” yes- PMA-certified (the ONLY 3rd party credential) we help each other and we sustain our profession. *(BTW the PMA is a not-for-profit! We are the voice! We are the PMA! We need you and your voice! Again it is a not-for profit and it’s books are open to all-so if you’re wondering – go educate yourself on the finances of this thing- it’s your absolute right and you should be cautious about where you put your time energy and money- kudos to you.)

My crusade this year will be to begin to educate the public about our profession and credentialing. I feel a little like Joan of Arc and wonder if I shall be burned at the stake- but I love my profession and I suppose when a passion grows so deeply in one, this is what one, is compelled to do. Wish me luck and send fire extinguishers and water.

Sincerely and with the deepest Pil-love,

Laurette Ryan

www.balancepointpilates.com

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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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Sep 27

By Laurette Ryan

www.balancepointpilates.com

Pilates has been for a while one of the hottest workouts around. I remember WHEN…before the media hype, before the celebrity endorsements, before it was a multi-million dollar industry. I remember when there were not 50 zillion “Pilates” “Certifications” out there. I remember getting a paper pattern and detailed instructions on how to “build” the wunda chair. Now there are a ton of equipment companies and as many chair designs as that! I remember feeling lucky when Pilates started to get popular, more people were interested in class.

In 1993, I taught a mat class that had 2 students, until the health club owner took it off the schedule in favor of a Step n Body Blast class. Then in 1999 I had a mat class that went from 4 regulars to 25 people jammed into a little aerobics studio in the span of about 2 weeks after Madonna said-she did Pilates-I was excited. 12 years later my excitement is turning to an overwhelming nervousness and apprehension about the future of “Pilates”.

I put Pilates in quotations because I would like to say true Pilates, but at my age, there may not be enough time to fully resolve that issue. So let’s just say that there is “Pilates” and then there is Core conditioning, Ab toning group exercise, stretch and lay there , dare I say unsafe, ineffective group and private sessions, on and off equipment masquerading as “Pilates”.

A lot of this fake Pilates comes out of the group exercise and Personal training realms, however due to the immense popularity of this industry we now have a new problem. “Pilates” teacher training programs taught by those with limited actual experience- teaching there own version of Pilates to student teachers who go and teach it to other students. Additionally there is little or no mentoring of these new teachers. They are told (lied to) that they are teaching “real” “true” “classical””authentic” “Pilates”. They believe it. They believe it with all their well-meaning little hearts …but in fact they know so little of “Pilates” it would be comical if it were not so tragic. There is a scam being perpetrated on these teachers and on the public. A multi-billion-dollar scam, it’s horrible.

My issue is this, those who are adequately and exceptionally trained in the art of teaching “Pilates” suffer a deep injustice. 1. They are often criticized undermined and slandered by false teachers who know not of what they speak, 2. They lose income to such teachers, 3.Potential students are turned off,injured and leery of Pilates, because of their experiences with poorly trained teachers.

Let me interject I believe there are a few good ways to skin a cat and I’m not advocating any particular lineage of “Pilates”, however when the “cat” is not in fact a “cat” but is instead a skunk!, there is a difference.

I have had the privilege of teaching to a diverse group of Pilates teachers recently, all wonderful lovely people. What I most noticed was the number of Pilates teachers who were unfortunately ill-informed and educated about “Pilates”. I was so thrilled that at least they were there, seeking out expanded educational opportunities- that is huge. I was a little worried though, that these particular teachers are the ones teaching large groups in the public arena about Pilates.

Pilates professionals, we are losing the battle, and the public IS suffering, and “Pilates” is being maligned, there is no doubt about it. Noting the amazing growth the Pilates industry has seen in the past ten years, I can see why the need for teachers has grown. That is why group exercise organizations have jumped in to fill the gap. They Don’t KNOW “Pilates”-FACT-!!! I could be more polite….but I’ll turn 50 next year- that’s what happens! Teacher Training is a great revenue stream for them, can you blame them?

So now what do we do? So many, are adverse to having one governing body? What would they do?

If we stay as it is, more of the corrupting of the “Pilates” method will continue until Joe becomes some eccentric old white haired guy in bathing trunks who did sit-ups and “Pilates” as in Contrology exists no more. We need a democratic governing body, we need an entry level foundational test, we need required continuing education. In a perfect world only those who were mentored and nurtured by wonderful experienced “Pilates” teachers could one day, hang out a shingle declaring themselves, “Pilates Teachers”, but this ain’t no perfect world, in case you haven’t noticed.

We need to stand together -I truly believe that- and it will be hard. The reason I have, for 10 years supported the idea of the PMA is just for all of these reasons, and it’s not always perfect either, but I have felt, it’s a malleable enough organization to be guided by the will of it’s members. Does the PMA have to be IT? No, but is there another democratic international organization out there with a third party exam? If you want to start one go ahead, more power to you….or you could work with the one we have that exists not in some utopian fantasy- but in real-life, flaws and all, but striving to be better all the time. This is not an ad for the PMA, this is a wake-up call to those of you who think you can go on forever teaching “Pilates” -the good stuff and not be affected by the marauding hoards of ill-trained Pilates instructors out there.(okay -marauding hoards-is a little over the top)

Bottom line is the public is being duped—every single day, and the reputation of my profession is suffering. I’m getting a little mad..(if you ask anyone about me-that takes a whole lot!)

I am passionate about what I do- this is my life, it’s what colors the tapestry of my spirit .

We can’t lose “Pilates” we have to stand together. ……now I’ve got to go breathe……

Pilates & Peace

Laurette

for more info on PMA  go to : www.pilatesmethodalliance.org

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Jul 2

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Laurette Ryan

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Jul 2

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Mar 1


By Laurette Ryan

Balancepoint Pilates

www.balncepointpilates.com

I’m sure by this time many of you have seen that hilarious fake info-mercial by Mr. Jimmy Kimmel entitled “Hottie Body-Humpilates”.  I, like many if not most of you, got a good chuckle.

I would like this opportunity to respond to “Humpilates”. Part of me wishes Mr. Pilates himself were alive and could go on Mr. Kimmel’s TV program and teach him the Saw or Roll-over in his classical manner (as seen in Mary Bowen’s home movie reels…if you know what I mean). I admit that fantasy, my Pilates friends, really makes me chuckle or lol, if you wish. I was wondering why I would have such an evil fantasy…I’m thinking that Lolita San Miguel, Mary Bowen and Ron Fletcher could go on Kimmel and teach him a thing or two…Too bad Kathy Grant isn’t with us- she’d show him why Pilates is for men- she could have taught him a little respect! ….And what about Romana, could he survive Romana?, well he’s probably got a personal masseuse, he might be okay.

I’m normally quite reasonable, a peace-loving individual with a good sense of humor. So why did I want to see Mr. Kimmel suffer a little? I’m sure his piece was all in good fun, it’s not actually called Jimmy K’s Pilates. There are two reasons. First, it’s the “-ilates” thing. People tack the “-ilates” onto everything…Cardio-lates, Yoga-lates, Spin-ilates,Dance-ilates Box-ilates, I’m just waiting for Driv-ilates and Sleep-ilates. I’m sure all these fusion classes are great fun and serve a need, but the public unfortunately can get a little confused…what is Pilates, really? … is the Warrior pose part of the repertoire? They can’t figure it out.

(Can you imagine going in to get a broken leg cast and getting a cast AND a pedicure …..you might wonder how pink toenails helped fix your broken bones- it’s what our students are thinking).

So obvious “Hump-ilates” is a joke….. but it does perpetuate that line of thinking which is- add “-ilates” to anything and you have the hottest new workout.

Secondly, have you noticed how Hollywood so often makes Pilates the punch-line? I laugh, because I can laugh at myself. Pilates teachers and enthusiasts probably get a laugh too and we’re happy to see ourselves recognized by popular media. What happens though, is that as we seek to gain professional recognition in our communities, stereo-types are created which do not portray us in a credible or favorable light. Do you think those stereo-types encourage the middle-aged blue collar worker with back pain ,(whose Doctor recommended he exercise) to seek out a qualified Pilates Professional to help him out?

Pilates is an amazing way to strengthen, condition, improve and yes, I believe heal your body. People don’t laugh at Dental Care…(*they may have though, years past-when dental care was a side-business of your Barber) This may be reason to think about the trend for Group Exercise Teachers to get a “Weekend Mat Certification” ….think about it. Dentist are considered professionals. Would you even consider going to a Dentist/Barber these days?

I feel we need to be vigilant in few ways to keep pushing our profession forward. The support and promotion of a Third-Party Credential, adhering to a recognized and accepted Code of Ethics and Scope of Practice guideline are keys and however we get there..the fact is- we must. The Pilates Method Alliance ( www.pilatesmethodalliance.org ) is at this time, the only organization offering this, that I am aware of. (If there are any others meeting this criteria, please feel free to share them with us.)

So, Mr. Kimmel -Thank You for your very funny skit and Thank You for making us take a moment to consider our profession, it’s current state and our future direction.

Mary Bowen’s website : www.pilates-marybowen.com

Lolita San Miguel’s website : http://lolitapilates.com/

Ron Fletcher’s website: http://ronfletcherwork.com

Yours in Peace and Pilates,

Laurette

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