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    • Tips For Teachers

    Vote for your 2011 CEC Workshops!

    by Jean Leavenworth on September 8, 2010

    Vote for as many as you like. We may not be able to offer them all next year, but we will keep them in mind for 2012!

    Here is the list of STOTT PILATES CEC Workshops. To get a complete description of each workshop, go to the STOTT PILATES website here.

    Mat Based Workshops

    Essential Matwork™
    Essential to Intermediate Matwork™
    Intensifying Essential Matwork™
    Intermediate Matwork™
    The Secret to Toned Arms, Buns & Thighs™
    Pilates Weight Loss Boost
    Light Equipment
    Mat-Plus™
    Fitness Circle® Challenge
    Fitness Circle® Flow
    Power Paced Fitness Circle®
    Flex-Band® & Fitness Circle®
    Sculpt & Tone OR Flex-Band® Level 1
    Total Body Sculpting OR Flex-Band® Level 2
    Ultimate Body Sculpting OR Flex-Band® Level 3
    Intense Sculpting Challenge OR Flex-Band® Level 4
    Rotational Disks on the Mat
    Core Balance OR Stability Ball™, Level 1
    Dynamic Balance OR Stability Ball™, Level 2
    3-D Balance OR Stability Ball™, Level 3
    Superior Balance OR Stability Ball™, Level 4 (formerly Ultimate Balance)
    Stability Ball™ Challenge OR Stability Ball™, Level 5
    Essential BOSU®*
    Intermediate BOSU®*
    Mini Stability Ball™ Workout (formerly Mini Flex-Ball™ Workout)
    On A Roll OR Foam Roller Level 1
    Foam Roller Challenge OR Foam Roller Level 2
    Foam Roller Plus (Level 1 & 2)
    Toning Ball™
    Total Body Toning
    Pilates with Props, Level 1
    Pilates with Props, Level 2
    Pilates with Props, Level 1 & 2

    Large Equipment

    Arc Barrel
    Essential Pilates on the Edge
    Intermediate Pilates on the Edge
    Essential & Intermediate Pilates on the Edge
    Essential Reformer
    Essential Reformer on the V2 Max Plus™ Reformer*
    Intermediate Reformer on the V2 Max Plus™ Reformer*
    Intensifying Essential Reformer
    Essential to Intermediate Reformer
    Intermediate Reformer
    Advanced Reformer
    Jumpboard Interval Training, Level 1
    Jumpboard Interval Training, Level 2
    Jumpboard Interval Training, Level 1, on the Cardio-Tramp NEW
    Jumpboard Interval Training, Level 2, on the Cardio-Tramp NEW
    Programming 1 on the V2 Max Plus™ Reformer*
    Programming 2 on the V2 Max Plus™ Reformer*
    Full Programming on the V2 Max Plus™ Reformer*
    Intro to the Vertical Frame
    Vertical Frame Workshop
    Essential Cadillac
    Essential Stability Chair™
    Intermediate Stability Chair™
    Introduction to Split-Pedal Stability Chair™
    Group Stability Chair™
    Circuit Training
    Pilates off the Wall-Spring Wall Workshop

    Special Populations

    Secret to a Strong Back/Ultimate Back Care
    Secret to a Strong Back/Ultimate Back Care Pre-con
    Prenatal on the Mat
    Prenatal Pilates with Stability Ball™ & Flex-Band®
    Prenatal Pilates on the Edge
    Prenatal Pilates on the Reformer
    Prenatal Pilates on the Split-Pedal Stability Chair™
    Prenatal Pilates on the Cadillac
    Prenatal Pilates on Equipment
    Prenatal Pilates on the V2 Max Plus™ Reformer*
    Post-Natal Pilates
    Armchair Pilates Plus OR For a Mature Population
    Dynamic Armchair Pilates OR Active Aging Level 2
    Reformer for the Older Adult
    Stability Chair for the Older Adult
    Matwork™ for Breast Cancer Rehab
    Equipment Programming for Breast Cancer Rehab

    Specialty Workshops

    Essential Matwork on Stability Cushions™ NEW
    Athletic Core Conditioning on the Cardio-Tramp™ NEW
    Athletic Conditioning on Stability Cushions NEW
    Functional Athletic Core Conditioning & Training NEW
    Cardio & Core on the Mini-Tramp
    Pilates Weight Loss Boost
    Cueing & Modifications on the Reformer for an Essential Level Client with Postural Issues
    Intermediate Matwork™: Functional Anatomy, Cueing & Correcting
    Intermediate Reformer: Functional Anatomy, Cueing & Correcting
    Intermediate Stability Chair™: Functional Anatomy, Cueing & Correcting
    Group Matwork™ Classes: Teaching Skills & Programming Choices
    Group Reformer Classes: Teaching Skills & Programming Choices
    Personal Training Matwork™: Teaching Skills & Programming Choices
    Personal Training Reformer: Teaching Skills & Programming Choices
    Matwork™ Choices for Personal Trainers
    Teaching Matwork™ to First-Timers OR Matwork™ Orientation Session
    Teaching Reformer to First-Timers OR Reformer Orientation Session
    Athletic Conditioning on the Edge
    Athletic Conditioning 1 on the Reformer
    Athletic Conditioning 2 on the Reformer
    Introduction to Athletic Conditioning on the V2 Max Plus™ Reformer* – 2 Hour Format
    Athletic Conditioning on the V2 Max Plus™ Reformer* – 3 to 4 Hour Format
    Athletic Conditioning on the V2 Max Plus™ Reformer* – 4 to 6 Hour Format
    Athletic Conditioning on the Stability Chair™
    Pilates on the Green Matwork™ for Golf: Level 1
    Pilates on the Green Matwork™ for Golf: Level 2
    Pilates on the Green Matwork™ for Golf: Level 1 & 2
    Golf Conditioning on the Reformer
    Golf Conditioning on the V2 Max Plus™ Reformer*
    Pilates for Men
    Reformer Workout for Men
    Muscular Strength & Endurance for Teens NEW
    Reformer Resistance Training for Teens NEW

    Lectures & Demos

    Anatomy Review (Lecture)
    Stabilization Principles
    The Shoulder Girdle: Stability & Function
    Lumbo-Pelvic Region: Stability & Function
    The Knee: Stability & Function
    Postural Analysis Review
    Exam Preparation: General Overview
    Exam Preparation: Matwork™
    Exam Preparation: Reformer
    Exam Preparation: Cadillac, Chair & Barrels
    Flexibility Overview (Lecture)
    Postural Analysis & Application to Pilates Exercises
    V2 Max Plus™ Reformer* Programming for Osteoporosis Management
    Programming for Osteoporosis Management
    V2 Max Plus™ Reformer* Programming for Scoliosis Management
    Programming for Scoliosis Management
    V2 Max Plus™ Reformer* Programming for Osteoporosis & Scoliosis Management
    Programming for Osteoporosis & Scoliosis Management
    Therapeutic Foundations & Applications to Lumbo-Pelvic Stability
    Therapeutic Foundations Information Session
    Developing a Boutique Pilates Studio in Your Club

    Cast your vote by leaving a comment!

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    Kathy Grant – Pilates Elder, 1921-2010

    by Jean Leavenworth on July 7, 2010

    I was saddened to hear that Kathy Grant passed away on May 27, 2010. I had the good fortune to take two workshops with Kathy over the years and my respect for her was profound. She was always a joy to watch as a teacher. Her enthusiasm was infectious. She was always so gracious and humble with her knowledge. She knew how to teach without making anyone feel awkward or uncoordinated even when everyone was struggling to achieve what she made look effortless.

    Kathy Grant inspiring a new generation of pilates teachers

    One of the cues that I borrowed from her and pass on to my students was an image she used for teaching the “Saw” on the mat. As the spine flexes forward and rotates she said, “Listen to the conversation of your knee”. I love that image and will always think of her when I use it! Thank you Kathy!

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    Knee Stability Post Surgery

    by Jean Leavenworth on February 1, 2010

    We just got this question emailed to us from a student:

    This is Christi Tuck from Colorado Springs YMCA. I am a certified STOTT PILATES instructor and I have a question.
    I have an inquiry from a possible student regarding some knee issues and if the reformer would be beneficial and are their any concerns. Basically they had surgery recently and the doctor informed them they have no cartilage around the knee. I believe they had the meniscus repaired.
    My guess is the reformer would be helpful to strengthen the surrounding muscles and that starting at light resistance would be best. I welcome any comments or suggestions.

    Hi Christi-
    Thanks so much for your question. As far as your client’s issues are concerned; yes, the reformer would be very beneficial to her recovery. Doing footwork starting with lighter resistance is a great start. I would also do single leg pulses in a variety of positions–laterally rotated, parallel and medially rotated. Make sure when she is doing footwork or single leg that she is really using her quads to draw the kneecap up as she straightens the leg. VMO (vastus medialis oblique) is especially important for knee stabilization and it tends to be weak for many women. I find I really feel the VMO muscle more when doing lateral knee pulses, but that may vary from person to person, so check in with her to see if she is feeling that muscle. Strengthening the posterior leg muscles will also help to stabilize the knees, so make sure you are doing some glute and hamstring work as well.
    Melanie Byford-Young has a great workshop on Knee Stabilization if you ever get a chance to take it! She created an exercise where you are sitting on the reformer carriage with no springs attached. One foot is on the floor between the rails and the other leg is lifted up supported by the hands or with a flexband around the thigh. If you have a rotational disc, place the foot on top of the disc and keep the ankle, knee and hip tracking as they slowly move the carriage out and in. This helps to stimulate and strengthen the popliteus muscle which is another deep knee stabilizer.
    The more those stabilizing muscles are activated and strengthened, the less wear and tear will occur to the knee and the remaining cartilage. Eventually, you can increase the resistance as those muscles get stronger, but at the beginning we don’t want to overload those stabilizing muscles.
    Let me know how things go or if you have any other questions.

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    How do I teach men about the pelvic floor?

    by Leslie Braverman on October 17, 2009

    I need some guidance…..

    It is regarding the pelvic floor and the issue of whether men and women have the same anatomy and then therefore does the contraction of the pelvic floor  different between men and women and does it essentially feel different.

    I guess my take/my understanding that was realistically men have pelvic floor muscles and women have pelvic floor muscles…they are relatively in the same area for men and women and ultimately function the same way but how we describe it to men might be different than how we describe it to women…I know that men have a the cremaster muscles (which women do not have, right?) but other than that, is there really that much difference……

    I recently heard that men and women cannot be told to “kegel” engage their pelvic floors the same way and this just seems a bit silly to me……but maybe I am missing the mark on something…

    Any clarification on this and HOW we should be explaining this to our training students would be greatly appreciated.  It is a question that often comes up in training courses especially if there are men in the group….
    Thanks!

    Kelly Dormady
    SweatShop Health Club, St Paul, MN LTC

    Response from Melanie Byford-Young:

    Hi Kelly!
    Good question. Indeed men and women have essentially the same muscles (except for the cremaster) and those muscles do both stabilization of the pelvis and sacrum, movement of the sacrum, and closure of the orifices with the sphincter muscles. They work the same. For guys, the feeling is often said to be the same feeling as pulling up their genitals like when walking into cold water. Often the cue I use is indeed very vague ‘your abs and pelvic floor will gently draw in/lift like walking into cold water’. Make sure of course that it is gentle and hardly done with any force at all. The other visuals like ‘an elevator shaft’ can work. One thing I like is to really get to the heart of what we are doing and why; we are trying to stabilize using all of our muscles together, drawing them in towards our center, which sits just in front of the S2. So if you can get the idea that the center of gravity of the body sits just in front of the sacrum, protecting the spine is done by engaging each of the stabilizers together or having them draw in towards that center of gravity.

     There are some clients who I just do not talk about the pelvic floor muscles initially because it would be too awkward and detrimental to the session. This can especially be the case if there is an older gentleman working with a younger instructor. If a client has back pain, SIJ pain, asymmetrical pain, has had prostate radiation, grips a ton in the QL or  erector spinae, or has some specific pathologies, you need to determine if the pelvic floor is working effectively or not.
    Let me know if this works well enough.
    All the best
    Melanie

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    Ischial Bursitis

    by Leslie Braverman October 11, 2009

    Hi Melanie!   I recently attended your gait seminars in May, and wanted to relay to you that my clients are absolutely loving the work and the results.  Thank you so very much!   If possible, I would so appreciate your input relative to ischitis or ischial bursitis.  Recently, two clients have been referred to [...]

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    Osteiitis Pubis

    by Leslie Braverman October 9, 2009

    Hi Melanie Sorry to seek your assistance so soon again.  If you can find the time to give me some help on this client would again be very grateful.   One of my clients has  has osteitis pubis.  She has now had this for 2 years, bought on in her second pregnancy.  She played hockey [...]

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    Anatomy Trains in May 1 & 2, 2010 at Pacific NW Pilates!

    by Leslie Braverman October 1, 2009

    Pacific NW Pilates is thrilled to be hosting Anatomy Trains® Myofascial Meridians in 2010! Anatomy Trains® maps the ‘anatomy of connection’ – the whole-body fascial and myofascial linkages. Anatomy Trains links the individual muscles into functional complexes, each with a specific anatomy and ‘meaning’. Anatomy Trains leads to new holistic strategies for health professionals, movement [...]

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    AWESOME workshops with John Garey!

    by Leslie Braverman September 24, 2009

    This past weekend, John Garey of “John Garey Pilates” in Long Beach, California http://www.johngareypilates.com/ taught six STOTT PILATES workshops at Pacific NW Pilates. On Friday, he taught “Pilates for Men” this was really fun, and of course, John was the perfect person to teach this workshop since he helped to develop the programming for it [...]

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    Hip Perthes

    by Leslie Braverman September 12, 2009

    Howdy Leslie and Melanie and All, Hope the summer has been fab for yous all, mine has been busier!! Along with my clients, I have been working hard at my own rehab. It is coming slowly, but correctly!! My question regards a male client, mid 50′s, with hip perthes. I have done some research and [...]

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    Depressed Scapula!

    by Leslie Braverman September 11, 2009

    Hi All I have a question for your website blog…. What exercises are good to help correct depressed scapula? I attended ISP training with Melanie in 2007 and I remember she helped another instructor attending the training bring her depressed scapula more into neutral – however, I don’t recall exactly what she did. Thanks and [...]

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