by Laurette Ryan PMA-CPT

I have had the pleasure in my career of being the Pilates teacher for The Whitman Academy of Performing Arts in Whitman Mass. For the past 12 years. I have taught a mat class for the dancers (many of whom dance most nights of the week) each week for their 10 month season . I get to see these dancers from about age 12 , through the teens and some into their 20s.

I am always thrilled with their progress from September to June, and from year to year. As a former dancer, I notice things like their posture and core strength and upper body carriage. I know intimately the things a strong Pilates practice can do for them.

Many times beautiful flexible dancers lack the strength need to hold their bodies together- safely. An overly-flexible body is ripe for injuries , that de-rail dance careers and cause terrible life-long pain. Pilates can align and strengthen the body in good functional patterns. Old dance injuries can be corrected and the body balanced again.

Even though I am a believer , I took some time last week to conduct a little research on what the dancers thought. I was thrilled to hear validation in their responses.

The Dance Director and Co-owner of The Whitman Academy of Performing Arts, Kathy Reed explained, “My back was injured, I couldn’t Cambre, Pilates gave me back my Port d’Bras.” “It has benefited my flexibility, balance and core strength” . Kathy has taken Pilates with me for 12 years and danced for decades, performing on Broadway in the 1970s in “Pippin”. Dancing is her life and Pilates keeps her dancing.

Kate has been a Pilates student for 4 years and studied dance for 12 years. When asked if Pilates had benefited her, she stated, “Absolutely! Being a Pilates student has helped me tremendously with getting to know my body and how to move it and use it properly, which in turn help me to better compose myself when I’m dancing. Pilates has also improved my strength and flexibility, which helps me across the board, especially with my dancing. I’m willing to bet I wouldn’t be half the dancer I am today if it weren’t for Pilates.”

Kate who is still in High School also said, “As well as being good for the physical aspects of the body, I find that Pilates greatly benefits my emotional and spiritual well-being. I have never left a Pilates class in a worse mood than I came in with; usually, my mood improves after a class. Sure, endorphins probably have a hand in that, but there’s no doubt in my mind that Pilates is also a factor. There’s just something about using my own body to help my body that makes me feel better.” – pretty profound….

Most of the dancers interviewed agreed Pilates help strengthen the muscles required for good dancing and found it an enjoyable way to exercise.

Cassy , an enthusiastic Pilates student ,who has also been through most of the Balancepoint Pilates Teacher Training program and is a tremendous help with the classes at the Academy had the following to say:

“I’ve danced since age six for 14 years studying ballet, tap,jazz, hip hop, modern, and pointe at The Whitman Academy of Performing Arts. I’ll be dancing this year in Starplayers of Bristol County’s production of CATS (you should all go see the show). I’ve been doing Pilates for 8 years. All of my friends keep telling me that their goal is to as in shape as me so I guess you can say Pilates had kept me in tip top shape. Everything is toned all over and I love it!

This has given me a ton of benefits for dancing such as helping me balance better, have better posture, do better turns, and just overall has made my dancing more sturdy.

All I can say is thank god for Pilates!”

So there you have it, I have always felt word of mouth is the best advertising anyone could ask for… so Dancers, this what dancers have to say about Pilates ! And non-dancers – it’s for you too!

Pilates and dance have been having a “relationship” for decades… it has been a give and take and it is a good match.

Keep Dancing do Pilates!

Laurette Ryan, PMA-CPT

www.balancepointpilates.com

www.balancepointstudios.com

An interview with Benjamin Degenhardt

by Laurette Ryan PMA-CPT

“March MATness “ has been sweeping the globe this year. It is the creation of Benjamin Degenhardt , currently residing in Boston , MA . I am lucky to have met and gotten to know this amazing Pilates teacher and man this past year. To say he is a dedicated Pilates enthusiast is an under-statement. His love for, and joy in the work is evident in all he says and does…. and with actions speaking louder than words , he created this wonderful campaign to inspire , progress and dare I say – addict the masses to the awesome work of Joseph Pilates.

So if you haven’t joined in on “March MATness” it’s not too late… it’s never too late! Learn even more at Benjamin’s facebook page : http://www.facebook.com/bdpilates . And lucky me! Here is my interview with the originator himself…

LR: How long have you been practicing Pilates and why did you start?

BD: I was first introduced to Pilates about 15 years ago when I trained as a dancer. I guess I am your typical “injured-dancer-gets-strapped-on-a-Reformer” story, with the only difference that once I started teaching, it was never just a job on the side for me. To teach others how to move well and develop a confident body is the most rewarding thing I can think of, maybe with the exception of working with other teachers and fine-tuning their skill-set and understanding of the work. I feel very fortunate to be able to do both and can’t imagine a life without Pilates.

LR: You started March MATness , which is growing in such a wonderfully organic way- globally even! what sparked that idea? And tell us about it….

BD: The idea that turned into March MATness had been in my head for a while, but it actually didn’t come together until the very end of February while compiling my monthly newsletter. The inspiration came from a quote by Joe Pilates I had recently found at the Library of Performing Arts in New York. In an interview with The Miami Herald in 1961 Joe said: “If a person learns to devote a few minutes every morning and evening to the right exercises and proper breathing, he’ll have fewer illnesses and greater vitality.” Paired with my philosophy that we should encourage people to practice the work on their own as much as possible, the idea took shape. I thought to myself: If we could all take a full month out of the year to celebrate the Mat work and inspire each other to move more and better, how fantastic would that be? That’s how I decided to post a picture of Joe’s original Mat exercises on my Facebook page every day. It’s safe to say that from there the idea has taken a life of its own. The pictures I posted have made their way around the internet, many studios in all parts of the world adopted the name and offered special deals on Mat classes, other enthusiasts posted their own pictures of the Mat work, and I have gotten an overwhelming amount of feedback from people who now established a daily routine and love it. I couldn’t be happier!

LR: Do you hope to continue March MATness in future years? 

BD: Absolutely! March MATness has shown the potential to become something big and meaningful, and I already have many ideas for 2014!

LR: What are you working on now?

BD: So many things! My main focus at the moment is to teach and further develop my continuing education program 360°Pilates. I currently offer a few workshops on select topics, but I will be launching a more immersive format in the fall that consists of intensive trainings as well as in-person and online mentoring programs. My work is designed to bridge modern exercise science with the original teachings of Joe Pilates, and to reconnect teachers of all training backgrounds to the historical work. I will be conducting 360°Pilates workshops across the East and West Coasts, as well as in Europe over the next few months, so that’s very exciting. In addition, I am planning the next Pilates Symposium, working on the March MATness website, writing articles and workshop manuals, and collaborating with some wonderful people from our community on upcoming projects. Oh, and teaching people how to move well, of course!

You can contact Benjamin Degenhardt and learn about his work at benjamindegenhardt.com        

http://www.facebook.com/bdpilates     

http://www.twitter.com/bdpilates

As always keep moving ,

Laurette Ryan PMA-CPT

www.balancepointpilates.com

www.balancepointstudios.com

The Professional Pilates Teacher…The Ethics of Money Part 3

by Laurette Ryan- PMA-CPT

Part 3 in our series about being a “professional” Pilates teacher is about ….money. Seriously this is a scary and delicate topic for most of us. You probably started out in this field – not to make money… (as if that’s some disgusting horrible motivation… ) . (BTW if you don’t make money- you will need another job…)   When I started pursuing my passion- teaching people movement- I’d often explain to people, how I got the opportunity by being at a point in my life, where I didn’t need to make money…as some sort of a justification. That’s weird !

When you work- you give your energy, and always that energy should be reciprocated… almost always that should take the form of – yes…money. The money topic is sensitive mainly because we have distorted preconceptions and need to get comfortable with it’s reality and purpose in our profession lives. Your misconceptions could be hurting your client relationships and business and impeding your ability to do good work.

A lot of the time Pilates teachers have very little business training ..those with a background always seem to thrive in this area. But have no fear- I will take you through some basic rules- which if you apply them- will take most of the stress out of the money issue.

Money does evoke strong feelings, both for you and your client. Therefore clear boundaries on your part, will not only help you- but will help them as well. Clients need strong clear boundaries about your policies and relationship- this allows the therapeutic/healing/growing relationship to exist and grow. When your policies are wishy-washy , when you are not clear, you create an unsafe space for the client. They don’t know what to expect. How can they trust you in any other way?

So here are some basic stumbling blocks and solutions.

1. My reward is the progress and healing I give to others….

If you feel this way, let me enlighten you to a reality. It has been shown that people will progress and heal more readily in a situation where they have had to give something to get something… it gives the thing they receive value. Even ancient healers and shaman asked for some sort of sacrifice or remuneration. So every time you discount or give away your services-you are making them less effective… it may be in the clients mind or subconscious, but isn’t that most, where it counts.

2. What to charge?

If you charge too little .. your clients will think your work may not be as good as others in your field, and your colleagues will be upset with your under-cutting- you damage the brand… if you charge too much-your clients make think you must be the best or maybe you’re a price gouger- especially when they find out their friend goes to your colleague who is less pricey… your colleagues will probably think you’re a little full of yourself- especially if you’re fairly new … so go with the flow BE COMFORTABLE AND CONFIDENT with your fees. (Unless you ARE %&*#$$ Awesome- then go for it!)

3. BE CONFIDENT

You must be comfortable with your fees and money policies. If you feel you must apologize , you need to truly examine- why? You must be straight-forward , sure and unapologetic. Your tone makes all the difference.

4. Have a Written Policy

This should include your fees and written policy for late, no shows and cancellations. You should go over this and have the client sign it – one for you -one for them.

5. Cancellations:

If your policy is to charge for late cancels (generally less than 24 hrs in advance) they cannot be shocked and you should not be apologetic… you’re not selling Pilates – you sell your time ! Listen -you sell your TIME… if someone takes a time slot – you will not be selling that slot to anyone else. And even though you turned away someone 2 days prior -when they cancel 2 hours before- they just cost you money! Imagine their response if they showed up for a lesson and you booked someone else in their time slot- and expected them to still pay-took their money!? That would never work! Remember you are selling time slots and spaces – have a policy -stick to it…your clients will feel safer and know you are a professional who expects to be valued for your time- if they don’t… you need to fire them!

6. ANY Changes to fees and policies need to be addressed with advance notice

If you will be changing your fees or policies – and I advise -do this with forethought and not too frequently … let your clients know with advance notice and again be confident and unapologetic…. it’s business…. changing too frequently or with no notice makes your clients feel unsafe – you will lose clients this way… create a safe space.

7. Special Deals

Offering special deals all the time is a red flag to the consumer that somethings not right…. Also offering special deals to certain clients, (maybe you feel they can’t afford you and you want to help) can be detrimental. Yes it can be a bad thing… you are creating a dual relationship- not only are you their Pilates teacher- you are also their financial adviser now? Really, are you ready and willing for that responsibility? And when they come in and tell you about the vacation they planned for next month or some other expense they felt mattered more than their health… how will you feel? Resentful? Probably.. can you really give a good lesson to someone who you are resenting?…hmmmm -pretty difficult. Resist giving the deal… (*to senior centers, schools, veterans -these may be exceptions) resist giving the deal to generally able-bodied adults. You are creating a situation where you are enabling behaviors that say… I need special help, I can’t function in the real world and follow the rules everyone else does… and you are not doing them any favors. We all must desire and be willing to give something or give something up to receive health… otherwise it is a cheap commodity -and you and I know that’s not true.

Ultimately receiving your compensation for the work you do- is the kindest and one of the most powerful exchanges you make with your client. You are making a contract that says -I will be a professional, I will use my knowledge to help you, as a professional -you can trust me to be discreet and ethical. In order to be an effective and powerful Pilates teachers – you must be a professional and all that, that, entails. Good Luck my friends, and if you need help or want to discuss my door is always open.

Laurette Ryan PMA-CPT

Balancepoint Pilates

www.balancepointpilates.com

Can your clients be your friends? Can your friends be your clients?

By Laurette Ryan PMA-CPT

We’ve all experienced difficulties with trying to train and work with family and friends and/or becoming friends or maybe more with clients. Sometimes these relationship work…but most times they do not. The important thing to learn is the “why”, and then from there with complete awareness decide whether those are the kinds of relationship you choose to develop.

Every time we agree to train a client -we are entering into several relationships. First it is a business relationship- you provide a service, they provide compensation for your time and expertise,-this is a somewhat equal relationship. There is also the therapeutic relationship- in this relationship they trust you are the expert, your position is elevated over theirs and there fore you have a certain amount of influence or power over them. ( this is a sacred responsibility-treat it respectfully) this is not an equal relationship…. something subconscious happens here- they begin to view you through the lens of past relationships where they were dependent on someone- a parent, teacher, spouse, no one does this on purpose but it does happen- and depending on the nature good, bad, functional, dysfunctional – you have just become a player. If you know this ahead of time you will be so far ahead of the game. You never want to tell a client, well your reacting like this because this is how you react to your mother, father, husband etc. – That’s not important… The important thing is to remember that some of your clients reactions have nothing to do with you – don’t take it personally. (Unless it does have something to do with you! So be professional always!) So if we’re doing good work and not taking everything personally the best course of action is, to take that subconscious dependency, and lead them toward a path of healthy independence. One where they enjoy your guidance and input but trust themselves to plot the journey.

So with the complicated nature of the client-teacher relationship if you now chose to add another twist-another type of relating to each other , another type of relationship…..beware and be careful.

When you become friends with your clients a few complex issues will arise. Friends are generally equals- that’s the way it works best… remember a therapeutic relationship is not a relationship of equals -so can you maintain the therapeutic relationship in the studio or class , will the student allow you back into the authority position when training- surprisingly this is difficult for them and maybe you – without the therapeutic aspect you might as well just become workout buddies- you can’t train them! Additionally you can never be truly your worst self with them…. like you are with your family or friends – you can’t throw tantrums, and whine about stuff and make outrageous claims like-I’m losing my mind- (very scary for your client you hang upside down in fuzzies!) Without risking their loss of trust in you. You need to treat their trust in you with kit gloves, as the teacher it is your sacred responsibility.

Lastly, let’s be honest why do we become friends with clients and students? I know you want to say it’s our mutual interest and love of Pilates -but deeper than that , the fact is the work we do can sometimes be lonely, leaving little time for outside interests and we have to go out of our way to find those unrelated-to-our-work social occasions. So be honest if you make your clients your friends because you’re lonely acknowledge it ( that’s not to say we don’t really like our clients-we do!) . You must STOP yourself whenever you find yourself asking the client to attend to your needs. They can talk and talk about their horrible relationships- but we should not …not ever… The teacher does not look to the student for support- unless you don’t care about damaging the relationship.

As for family and friends becoming clients the problem here is that they’ve already seen you whine and tantrum- they’ve been your equal for years and now you ask them to become less than equal – no wonder they are so difficult. They will break all your rules, they will try to get away with things no regular student would – it’s all a sub-conscious battle to maintain an equal standing with you. The only way to train friends and family is to lay out the rules and do not deviate – both parties need to agree… the training relationship and familiar relationship are separate – they exist totally apart- at home we don’t discuss training and in our lesson we don’t discuss home… we have set lesson times- no late shows- no staying late and hang out socializing – otherwise the work will not get done and you have become an ineffectual teacher. (sad face here….)

This is just a brief overview of the Client/friend problem. To recap: it is difficult and in many cases impossible but when attempting the dual relationship in a Pilates training setting some basic guidelines are:

1. Acknowledge there are concerns and difficulties that need to be consciously addressed
2. Set the rules and framework with clarity- times, fees, goals
3. Pilates session and social time are separate and never invade each others space
4. With the client who became the friend- be the strong together teacher they think you are-at ALL times, regardless!
5. Never ask for your needs to be met by the student- you need to cry on someone else’s shoulder.
6. If your friends become clients -they must allow you to be the boss and follow your rules – or send them to someone else- you want them to get results- if you want to chat – go to lunch!

Again this is just dipping our toes into this subject. Part of being a Professional is to understand the nature of the business, therapeutic, and ethical relationships we all encounter and how to appropriately manage these. If you don’t manage them- they will manage you- and you will get burned and burnt out.

Stay tuned: Part 3 of this series on Professionalism and Ethics will be on “Money’ !

Laurette Ryan PMA-CPT

www.balancepointpilates.com

Pilates Roundtable Conference-Press Release

A one of a kind Pilates educational experience. This conference is all about the education. Small classes ,amazing presenters, a weekend where you will really get the skills to bring you success in the coming year. The conference is still registering and will not allow more than 200 participants register-15 students per workshop . This assures you personal attention – get the answers you need, learn more , share more.

This years conference will feature lectures and workouts exploring topics like Fascial Fitness, Pilates and Aging, Pelvic floor and the Core, Pain Management,Red Cord ,Reformer, Mat, Cadillac , Ped-o-pull and Spine Corrector and Chair exercises. Presenters will be Kyria Sabin, Sherri Betz, Amanda Jessee, Laurette Ryan, Karena Linebeck, Connie Borho and Dawn Marie Ickes.

The conference is Sept 21-23 2012 in West Palm Beach, FL at the Embassy Suites Hotel (literally minutes from the airport.) The hotel rate are very reasonable and the conference price also includes 6 workshops, 3 workout classes, 2 general presentations,5 meals and 1 cocktail party. The regular rate for the conference is $575.00 but if you call Bernie Nelson at 561-775-8416 or email bernie@pilatesroundtable.com and mention balancepoint -you will get $75.00 off.

One of the best things about this conference is the wonderful support and camaraderie you will find here. PMA credits available -this is an educational experience you can’t miss out on- so call today.

Laurette Ryan PMA-CPT 

When I have read Joseph Pilates “Return to Life through Contrology” what occurs to me is that he isn’t writing this for the skilled dancer or athlete. The text is pretty straight forward with his views and recommendations on wellness, health and his exercises.

I have watched Pilates in my experience of it evolve from the studio and dancers’ world to the health club and gym scene, back to the modern studio. It occurs to me though, by exploring the history that Joe meant this for every “body” literally. It is just now in my practice that I am lucky to see his wish starting to manifest in my work. Lately I’ve taken on some less than athletic bodies (not horrible just regular folks) all over 50 +, all have their own challenges, I’m thrilled. What I’ve discovered is that beginning to build a body with Pilates is the most rewarding experience of all.

When I teach my dancers, we fix problems caused by their work, or lack of strength, flexibility or alignment in their dancing. Same with my fitness enthusiasts, athletes and Pilates teachers…usually I’m also undoing bad habits and that’s like pulling teeth!

With my regular folks, I get to start at the beginning-building the foundation. Sure there are some bad movement habits in the realm of their everyday, but when they are made aware of these, the sudden awakening of body awareness is profound and powerful. It’s a new revelation to them. “I have muscles and they move me-and my brain can tell them what to do!” If you truly start with foundational movements it can be daunting, but it’s those tiny building blocks of proper movement that with repetition, become the “foundation” (there’s no other way to put it) of wonderful classical and contemporary Pilates exercise. Which we all know-work…the work -works.

Here’s what I love about regular folks doing Pilates, I love when they first figure out that they can stabilize their hips and how powerful that is, that they can sit up straight, that their neck feels better. They can lift their leg while lying on their backs, tighten their core and not strain their backs. They can reach their arms up- over their heads… they can suddenly enjoy life more because they have more stamina. They can walk with an even gait and dare I say-true story- “they can put on their underpants and not tip over” (true story-isn’t that wonderful!)

Did you ever see the home movies of Joe training that poor soul on mat. (Go to Mary Bowen’s website and purchase-it’s a treasure every enthusiast should own!) Now I don’t agree with all his technique (watch it- you’ll see!) but the second part ( the before/after) where the regular guy is performing those mat exercises -the improvement- that’s what it’s all about people.

I personally do not agree with the technique or system where the teacher has a 60 minute long set series of exercises-(classical or otherwise) and all beginners start there. I think you must teach to the body that lies on the mat before you. If you read Joe’s directives for performing the exercises he implies you must perfect each before moving on. Nowhere do I read- “go do all 34 Mat exercises and good luck to you…” He stresses performing the movements with good form and attention, with mindfulness. It reminds me of a saying I have heard in the dance studio, “Practice does not make perfect, only perfect practice makes perfect.”

My favorite first timers prep exercise is a contemporary one, we’ve always called it knee-folds.

1. Lie on your back. Lengthen the spine to the mat.
2. Knees are bent with feet in line with the hips and hands palpitating the ASIS(hip bones)
3. Slowly lift one knee keeping the ASIS still and quiet
4. Place foot down and continue with the other leg.

If the beginner student cannot perform this adequately, we start here. Certainly exercises like single or double leg stretch are out of their repertoire for the moment. With proper development of the basic skill of pelvic stabilization, soon they are on their way to a successful lifelong program of a Pilates regimen.

So don’t be anxious beginners and regular folks, go out and find yourself a qualified Pilates professional. If you don’t like the first place or teacher keep looking…Joe meant this work for YOU!

By the way….to look for a qualified Pilates teacher in your state you can go to www.pilatesmethodalliance.org click on find a teacher, and your state. These are truly “certified” teachers. There maybe other “qualified” teachers in your area, but their level of foundational expertise has not necessarily been evaluated by a 3^rd party credentialing agency.

Happy Pilates

Laurette Ryan

www.balancepointpilates.com

Pilates, Fascia and alignment….

By Laurette Ryan PMA-CPT

You’ve probably been hearing a lot lately about the role of fascia in exercise. You may have heard it described as a webbing or net enveloping the body but that is just a small piece of the picture. We can go back to the very formation of you as a body for a deeper insight.

In the embryonic stage, you are made of 3 types of germ  cell layers. Ectoderm,  Endoderm and Mesoderm. The Ectoderm forms your brain, skin, and nervous system, the endoderm your digestive system and the mesoderm forms the framework or matrix for everything else. It is this mesodermic stuff which is in effect fascia. It weaves in and around everywhere. This fascia began to morph as you grew from embryo to fetus. It became the scaffolding for bones, when bone cells deposited there and built up, you got bones. As the end of these bones pushed into their fascial bed -fascia did it’s thing and thickened up and became denser at those points and formed ligament or tendon. As the fascial bed lay with bones and joints pulling it in different directions- muscle cells deposited -(in this fascial matrix) and fascia took on qualities or morphed into our different muscles and muscle groups.

It weaves everywhere throughout your body, it holds things in place. It can be juicy, gel-like and super pliable or thick and matted, clay or glass-like. It’s differing qualities depend on where it is in the body and what conditions it encounters. This can be beneficial or not so beneficial and is really influenced by our alignment throughout our lives.

Fascia is extremely rich in nerve endings- it provides the brain with feedback, particularly when it is healthy and aligned properly. When it is not aligned properly, when there is pressure or tension placed on the fascial bed – fascia responds by thickening and matting up-(think about the knots in your shoulders or back)- this causes irritation, pain and discomfort, which in turn causes more tension and pressure to the area affected. What’s the fix? In my research I have noted there are two very good ways to alleviate this problem. One is Rolfing, manually smooth the fascial tissue – re-educating the tissue manually. But the second way is far more exciting for us as Pilates teachers, and that is to exercise and move in good alignment. Simple as that! Isn’t that what we do every day with Pilates? Clients feel better through their whole body with a sound Pilates program. Pilates feels different than weight training or calisthenics because the attention to alignment is one of the biggest differences. (key* start with the spine)

Understanding the role of fascia in exercise and particularly Pilates will deepen your practice. Remember fascia is everywhere, it permeates you, your bones, muscles, it surrounds and lifts all parts of you, it holds you together and floats you between your bones…it is constantly responding to the conditions you are in. Work and live in good alignment for you are a fascial bubble.

Laurette Ryan

www.balancepointpilates.com

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

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 1^st, 2010 by putting down a deposit of $200 the cost will be only $400. The deposit is fully refundable until June 1^st, 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 3^rd Annual Pilates Round Table Conference. We have just booked the Crowne Plaza Hotel in West Palm Beach, Florida for September 23^rd – 25^th, 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 3^rd Annual Pilates Round Table Conference and are willing to put a $200 deposit down, which is fully refundable till June 1^st 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



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 1^st 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?