Song from The Pilates Flow shared his horror story when his studio was newly opened.

He received phone calls from esteemed instructors who wanted to work for him in his studio. So Song asked which method were they certified.

Jobseeker: "Huh? Method? What method?"

Song: "Hm...as in, which Pilates certification do you have?"

Jobseeker: "Oh, u mean certs! I am certified by Pilates Online!"

Song almost flipped off his chair.

Karen managed to dig out one of such online certification: http://www.expertrating.com/pilates/index.asp#frequentques

HOLY COW!!!!! You can actually BUY a Pilates certification for USD 49.99. Wow, indeed it is much faster, cheaper and less painful way to get certified. Why did I bothered to spend hundreds of hours and nearly S$15k to get my certs...

Like what Karen suggests, if one day I ever have my own studio, I will make sure I proudly get my toilet cleaners to get "certified" too. 

Upcoming Pilates Certification Course

An upcoming mat certification course for you by Polestar Asia:

Principles of Fitness: May 8-9, 2009
Mat Level 1: May 23-24, 2009
Mat Level 2: June 20-21, 2009

Call Sky Pilates at 62350097 or email Audrey at adcotta@yahoo.com

You might want to read my posts on what it takes to be a Pilates instructor and Differentiating various Pilates Styles

Free Preview Night - Polestar Certification

If you are interested to get certified as a Pilates instructor, you can find out more from one of the Pilates certification, Polestar Education, at the info night at Sky Pilates Studio:

FREE PREVIEW EVENING (Friday 16th January 7pm-8.30pm) 

- include a FREE pre-curriculum classes upon registration  

- Limited to 20 pax only, please please contact cynthia@skypilates.com.sg or Phone 61007597to reserve.

Remember to check how to Differentiate Various Pilate Styles and understand what it takes to be a Pilates Instructor. 

Menstruation & Inversion

An interesting email from reader, Karen:

"During a general discussion about Pilates with a friend who practices Yoga, she asked me if female Pilates students are told not to do similar inverted exercises like the plough (roll-over / jack-knife / short spine), head / shoulder stand during menstruation. I told her no, and I asked her why not. She replied that her Yoga instructors had explained that the flow of energy during those days will be blocked during inversions and may cause giddiness.

I did a quick search on the internet, and there are basically 2 schools of thought :
Not OK (http://www.yoga.com/ydc/enlighten/enlighten_document.asp?ID=74&section=9&cat=93)

It's OK (http://yogapilates.suite101.com/article.cfm/practicing_yoga_on_your_period) (http://www.yogajournal.com/basics/831).

Presently ignoring the philosophy behind Yoga, I hope you would share thoughts as female Pilates instructor on the topic, and whether a female body executes the Pilates exercises differently (from your personal observations) during the different stages of the cycle.

Thanks,
Karen"

First of all, I need to thank Karen for bringing up this topic for discussion. I myself was confused when I first started off in fitness industry too.

In the past, it was believed that performing inversion exercise during menstruation may lead to 'retrograde menstruation', where menstrual blood tissues 'leaks' out of the womb thru the fallopian tube openings into the pelvic area. These blood tissues then stick to pelvic organs and continue to grow and respond to fluctuation of female hormones throughout the menstrual cycle, causing symptoms of endometriosis. Thus women were advised to avoid inversion exercises during menstruation.

However, retrograde menstruation happens natually in almost all women, but only 3-10% of them suffer from endometriosis. So there must be other factors (e.g. genetic and immune dysfunction) that actually cause the condition. And inversion exercises should not be blamed on its own.

Others were concerned that inversion exercise might cause vascular congestion, leading to heavier menstrual flow. However vascular congestion can also be aggravated by standing and other physical activity, not just inversion pose alone.

My take is, inversion exercise is safe to be performed during menstruation, as long as you don't hold it for too long (seriously, what's the point of holding yourself long in the inverted pose?!). As with any other exercises, one should listen to their body and see what works and what doesn't for their own body. If you have much heavier menstrual flow or pelvic pain after doing inversion exercise, then do less or avoid them completely in future.

*To side-track a little, inversion exercises are absolutely NO-NO for people with high blood pressure, stroke, post-natal and glaucoma.

Differentiating Various Pilates Style

Reader, Karen, has asked me to list the different certification system available or employed in Pilates studio in Singapore, and to elaborate on how and why they differ from each other. I agree with Karen that this will probably be informative for Pilates newbies in choosing a suitable studio based on the teaching styles, and also be useful for those who are interested to learn to teach Pilates as a career switch. As I honestly have too little experience in other methods other than the one that I am trained in (especially classical Pilates) to blog about the differences, Karen was very kind to start me up with lots of resources.

There are actually many certifications system worldwide which might not be as readily available or established in Asia (yet). You may read a New Zealand Pilates info site which features a "Comprehensive Guide: Pilates Schools, Pilates Teacher Training, Pilates Certification". The author is rather non-biased and give interesting (and humourous) personal views on various systems. But below are some certification systems available and employed in some studios in Singapore (in alphabetical order):


Polestar Education / Polestar Pilates Asia
The Polestar Pilates curriculum is designed by Physiotherapist and Orthopaedic Certified Specialist Brent Anderson, and is based on a scientific foundation, as opposed to an anecdotal one. Drawing on his extensive background in rehabilitation and movement science, Brent Anderson has expanded on Pilates' principles by adding manual skills, advanced body awareness, and principles from motor control theory. The Polestar Pilates method draws on the sciences of anatomy, physiology, biomechanics and motor control, and integrates scientific research findings in the areas of orthopaedics, sports medicine and movement science. Polestar Education is recognized by the American Council on Exercise as a 'Continuing Education Specialist'.

• Being taught in Singapore: Focus Pilates, Ivana Daniell Studio, Singapore Dance Theatre (Kellie Vanderploeg),
  Sky Pilates

Romana’s Pilates / True Pilates
While many fitness professionals are now offering pilates-inspired programs, or in some cases combining what they call Pilates with exercises from other training regimens, The True Pilates method is different because it refers to the system of exercises that were originally developed and taught by Joseph Pilates. Romana Kryzanowska is the world-renowned protégé of Joseph Pilates and has been teaching the method for nearly six decades. Long ago Romana made a commitment to Joe and Clara Pilates to continue their life's work and Romana continues to deliver on that promise today by traveling the world and teaching the next generation of instructors.

• Being taught in Singapore: Classic Pilates, The Pilates Studio
  

STOTT Pilates
Started in 1988, Stott Pilates is a contemporary approach to the original exercise method pioneered by the late Joseph Pilates. Co-founders Ms. Moira Merrithew (who was certified as a Pilates instructor under the tutelage of Ms. Romana Kryzanowska) and Mr. Lindsay G. Merrithew created the Stott Pilates method of exercise and equipment to include modern principles of exercise science, spinal rehabilitation and athletic performance enhancement to the original classical method. For example, some approaches may promote a flat back, whereas Stott Pilates exercises are designed to restore the natural curves of the spine and rebalance the muscles around the joints, placing more emphasis on scapular stabilization.

• Being taught in Singapore: Options Studio, The Pilates Touch

The Fletcher Work by Ron Fletcher
An evolved approach to the original classical method developed by Mr. Ron Fletcher. Mr. Fletcher was a former dancer who studied the method under Mr. Joseph Pilates and his wife, Clara. With his background in dance, he adapted the classical method exercises and created the Fletcher Work which includes the Fletcher Floorwork, Fletcher Towelwork, Spine Corrector and Percussive Breath™ technique.

In addition to covering the complete Pilates syllabus - including all levels of mat and work on the Pilates apparatus - Ron Fletcher has evolved several innovative techniques to support further understanding of the original Pilates method. Among these include Fletcher Percussive Breathing™, Fletcher Standing and Centering™, Fletcher Towelwork®, Fletcher Floorwork®, and unique pieces of movement on the full range of Pilates equipment.

• Being aught in Singapore: iPilates

The PhysicalMind Institute - The Method Pilates
An evolved approach to the original classical method. Joan Breibart is the President of the PHYSICALMIND INSTITUTE, formerly the Institute for the Pilates Method. Breibart claims she started the Pilates trend in 1991 with the first Pilates certification, the first Pilates video, and the first portable Reformer. Joan's Pilates training programs are being used world-wide (including Wellington New Zealand).
"She regularly writes on all aspects of the Pilates Movement..."Pity none of her writings are on show at her website, which has no free training information to speak of. She is famous for "Standing Pilates", which was designed for the elderly and infirm (available as a pdf immediate download from amazon.com) -see advert in right hand panel).

• Being taught in Singapore: VF Studio

Morning Walk in Fort Canning Park

Last Saturday, while waiting for hubby to finish school, I had a wonderful morning walk in Fort Canning Park. It's actually very nice to walk alone, as I could walk at my own pace, stopping as and when I wish to read the historical signboards, learn more about different spices and herbs, or watch birds feeding on the trees.

Luckily with my new N95 handphone, I could record down the beautiful scenary:

This area near the Old Married Soldiers Quarters is very well-shaded. Apparently there was a Taichi class going-on! This is actually a great place for classes: convenient location, fresh air, beautiful greenery, refreshing cool shades & wind... Maybe I can do some classes here for my friends too.

This lady was actually doing Pilates on that stone bench. Ok I know the picture was taken at a really odd angle, but I just couldn't capture her in action without her knowing while she perform leg circle. After taking the photo I copied her and did some Pilates exercise on another stone bench too!

Along the 13th Century trail, there was an old couple who came for a morning walk in the park together. They were both engrossed in picking up something on the ground. They were actually collecting 相思豆 (Love Beans) together. OOOOOooo!!! How romantic!! I wish that I will be like them when I get old.

Then I went to check out The Singapore Dance Theatre and saw a bunch of very very adorable children learning ballet.

The teacher wanted the girls to do a frontal split against the wall. Instead of describing to them in boring manner, she made it fun by asking the girls to make "spiders crawling on the wall" (see the 3rd girl from the right). This really shows the power of good imagery, not only immediately the students knew what the teacher wanted them to do, they did it correctly and had fun! That's why imageries are so important in the delivery of an effective Pilates class...

After this lovely Fort Canning walk, I set my goal to complete the trail along the Southern Ridges! Hope I can do it next week. ^_^

Buying Pilates Mat

Many people thought that Pilates and yoga mats are the same, because they are similar in size and are used for exercises done on the floor. Actually, a Pilates mat needs to be thicker than most yoga mats.

This is simply because there are many standing poses in yoga, mats used for yoga have to let the practitioner feel the floor for balance. This is not so important with a Pilates. In fact, Pilates mats are thicker so that our spine and other bony structures are padded from the floor. Trust me, doing exercises like "Rolling like a ball" or "Open Leg Rocker" without sufficient padding will give u more of painful bruises than a relaxing massage on the back! Also, yoga mats are sticky, designed to prevent slipping, a hazard which is not as likely with Pilates exercises.

So, a good Pilates mat must be:

• At least a half inch thick.
  
• Firm. A mat that is too soft will not support balance and alignment properly. These mats are usually made of dense foam/ closed cell foam or rubber.
• "Non-stretch". I used to enjoy using AIREX mat, but I realise it stretches length-wise when u do weight-bearing exericses on all-fours, such as "Inverted-V" or "Leg Pull". This make it difficult to keep proper positioning of palms and feet thus causing the body to lose alignment. It can be quite annoying having to keep adjusting the palm and feet position while u do the exercises, just because they "slide" away as the mat stretches.
  

So far, personally I find that the mat available for sales at Focus Pilates Studio is quite good and is reasonably priced too. I bought a used mat for myself and a new mat for my student from there. The only down thing about this mat is that it is so firm that it leaves some pressure lines on the forehead after lying face-down for awhile (like after doing "Prone Press-up". But of course the pressure lines are just temporary :)

Drop me a note if you know where else to get good mats for Pilates. I am sure many of the readers and my students will appreciate it.

Updated on 6 Jun: Heard that Option Studio also has pilates mat for sale. let me check it out one of these days and write a review soon!! ha

Research on Pilates - ACSM

It is a misconception to many that Pilates is just another fitness hype and there is no systemtic scientific study conducted on Pilates. Well, here is one presented at ACSM in March 2005:

"LAS VEGAS - Pilates is a beneficial exercise to enhance flexibility and muscular fitness and endurance, particularly for intermediate and advanced practitioners, but may have limited potential to notably increase cardiovascular fitness and reduce body weight. New researchconducted by Michele Olson, Ph.D., FACSM and presented today at the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Health & Fitness Summit & Exposition supports the practice of Pilates to achieve some health benefits, and adds to the knowledge about the technique

In a recent study of the method, Olson and her team measured the metabolic and caloric cost of basic (beginner), intermediate, and advanced Pilates mat workouts to assess what the popular technique may and may not do for exercisers. Participants performed basic, intermediate and advanced workouts in random order while the research team monitored heart rate, metabolic rate and rate of perceived exertion.

Results indicated basic Pilates activity translated into low-moderate intensity, comparable to active stretching. The intermediate workout was shown to be of a moderate intensity level, similar to the energy requirement of speed walking at a rate of 4 to 4.5 mph. The advanced workout was found to be of high-moderate intensity, equivalent to basic stepping on a six-inch platform.

The team also found the most dramatic increase in caloric cost occurred when participants progressed from basic to intermediate or advanced levels of training. Additionally, the duration of the workout affected energy cost in intermediate sessions. For example, a 30-minute session at an intermediate level burned 180 calories, and continuing the workout burned an additional 90 calories each 15 minutes...

...an another phase of the study, the team measured abdominal muscle activity during key Pilates mat exercises. Participants performed five Pilates ?ab? exercises, then basic crunches for comparison. Results showed that the rectus abdominis muscle, which runs along the mid section of abdomen, was challenged similarly for most of the Pilates exercises. However, the Teaser exercise and Roll-Up challenged this abdominal muscle more than the crunch. The external obliques, the muscles on either side of the abdomen, were challenged to a greater degree by all of the Pilates exercises compared to the basic crunch. In particular, the Criss-Cross was the most effective for the external obliques....

...Olson says the practice of Pilates promises to become even more mainstream, and warns that this can potentially create a problem with a lack of quality instructors. ?A qualified Pilates instructor has studied for five or more years, and may have even traveled and taken intensive courses from masters. There are more than 500 exercises, and it takes more than a workshop or short course to learn and teach it correctly."

Ouchhhh....it's Stenosis

Spinal stenosis is a PAINFUL disease of the elderly. It involves narrowing of the bony spinal canal, commonly due to arthritis. It causes irritation to the nerve passing through the spinal canal. Thus creating paing that may radiates down the back of the legs. This pain is worsen with walking, as the patient holds his spine in an extended position, and this further decrease the size of the spinal canal. Hence patients with spinal stenosis will notice improvement of their symptoms in a flexed position, as this position "open" up the spinal canal.

An eye doctor asked if Pilates can help her cousin who is suffering from stenosis. In my opinion, if her cousin prefer to manage her condition without spinal surgery (pdf) (removing some posterior bony tissue of the spine), physical therapy including in the form of Pilates should help alleviate her pain. This is because Pilates has plenty movements that flex the spine so it will be an excellent therapy to reduce the symptoms of spinal stenosis and curb its progression.

Contrary to slipped (herniated) disc (which can be treated by physical therapists with lots of spinal extension exercises that decompress disc space), patients with spinal stenosis may benefit from flexion exercises, such as assisted roll-up, roll-up, rolling, seal, roll-over, spine stretch and so on. However instructors need to take note that the patient's range of motion will be reduced and has to avoid extension exercises such as prone press up, swan dive, single & double leg kicks which will only intensify the problem by futher decreasing the size of the spinal canal. That's why it is always essential to advise your clients who suffer from moderate to severe back pain to consult medical professionals (if they haven't done so!!) to obtain a proper diagnosis before prescribing them a suitable exercise program.

Hope you can share your teaching experience in the comment portion if you have previously trained clients with spinal stenosis. I think it would be fun to discuss and explore how we can better train clients with special conditions.

2008 Singapore Teacher Training Courses

*2008 courses in Singapore chronological orders*
Make sure you understand what it takes to be a Pilates Instructor.

Stott Pilates - Continuing Education Workshops
Options Pilates Studio is hosting some continuing education workshop for pilates practicioners on 29-30th March 2008. I think the topics are interesting and useful to help expand your knowledge to train your clients. Topics include:

• Athletic Conditioning on Reformer
• Athletic Conditioning on Stability Chair
• Athletic Conditioning on on the Edge
• Pre-natal Pilates on Stability Ball and Flex-band
• Essential breast cancer rehab on equipment

Another round of continuing education workshops on 31 May 2008 (Sat):

• Workshop: Essential Matwork 11am-1pm
• Essential Pilates on The Edge 1.30pm-3.30pm
• Intermediate Pilates on The Edge 4pm-6pm

Check out their website and call the studio up for more information :) happy learning!


Polestar Pilates Principle for Fitness
Polestar Pilates Certifications are designed to successfully bring you to a level of mastery, preparing you to become a competent Pilates Practitioner in the training method of your choice (Studio, Mat, Allegro and Rehabilitation). Polestar's competency exams measure your ability to justify your exercise selections or treatment plan.

Sky Pilates will be hosting Pilates Principle For Fitness (P-F) on 16-17 May 2008. Call 6100 7597 or sign up here.

Polestar Principle - Rehabilitation Programme
Polestar Rehabilitation Programme is designed for registered rehabilitation professionals. It provides participants with in-depth instruction in Pilates rehabilitation principles, techniques and practice. These principles and techniques are applicable to all neuro musculosketetal dysfunctions, including specialties such as sports and dance medicine, and treatment for chronic pain. The Rehab principle course is happening on 22-25 June @ Sky Pilates. You will need to sign up and pay a deposit of US$500 by 22 June 2008.

Stott Pilates - Certification Courses (Jun & Jul)

• Intensive Mat Plus (June 9th to 20th with a weekend break, 1pm - 5pm)
• Intensive Reformer (June 23rd to July 4th with a weekend break, 1pm - 6pm)
• Intensive Chair Cadillac and Barrel (Provisionally running July 21st to August 1st with a weekend break, 1pm - 6pm)

Physical Mind Institute - Initiation 101 (Mat Certification)

• Initiation 101 (Mat Certification): June 20th to 22nd, 2008 (Fri 6pm – 9pm, Sat & Sun 1pm – 7pm)
• Concentration 101 (Equipment Certification): 7th Sep to 9th Nov, 2008 (every Sat 1-5pm)
  
• For more info, visit VF studio website for more details.
  

Ron Fletcher Program of Study - Program Overview
An overview of the Fletcher Pilates™ syllabus – from a student’s point of view. It encourages experiencing and understanding each piece of movement before learning how to teach it. Structured as a 30-hour program, taught in ten 3-hour sessions, this Program Overview provides the most efficient and affordable means of reviewing the beginning/intermediate Fletcher Pilates™ syllabus.

iPilates Studio will be conducting two Program Overviews in 2008.
Program I: June 14 – Aug 23
Program II: Aug 17 – Oct 25

For more information call (65) 6838 1234 or email: contact@iPilates.com.sg

Learn to TEACH Pilates

I am sure many Pilates lovers wish to become an instructor, so let me share with you my certification story.

I stumbled upon an Australian based Pilates certification through a like-minded friend. We each paid S$1100 and completed the 6-day Level One course. I passed my theory and practical exam and was offered an apprenticeship. But before I could complete the 100 hours training, the studio that hosted the course closed down. Unless I go to Australia, I would have no access to complete the level 2 & 3 locally (obviously it was not an option to me!). Thus my time and money spent in this cert was quite badly invested as I needed to get another cert and start from scratch!

So, don't repeat my mistake to rush into any certification. Do some research and plan properly. Read on.

The Focus Pilates website says:

"...To train in Pilates is an arduous (and expensive) journey with no short cuts...Pilates is a highly integrated and scientific movement system. Learning to be an instructor is more like taking a Diploma or Degree than just an instructor certification."

TOTALLY. I personally feel that learning to be a Pilates instructor is far more difficult than getting my Master degree in Sports and Exercise studies. Not only it is just as expensive, it requires many hours of reading, practicing, thinking, observatory & assistant teaching, trainee teaching and passing a stringent practical and theory exam before you can ever proudly proclaimed yourself a certified Pilates Instructor. More importantly, the road of learning in Pilates never ends, you will have to keep yourself abreast with movement science by even more reading, attending continual education workshops and conferences.

There are 'over-the-weekend' crash courses on Pilates instruction, but they are really meant for those who just want to get a paper to smoke by, and hack-care about learning the real knowledge. A serious and dedicated Pilates certification system is essential to make you a qualified and internationally recognised instructor.

First thing on your road to be certified is to be mentally prepared to dedicate a LOT of time to it. It can take year (or years) to get the certification. If you do have the determination, scout for a certification body that provides local training course and apprenticeship/mentoring programme. It is important to ensure this certification body is recognised by the Pilates Method Alliance (PMA), an international not for profit professional association for the Pilates method, which specify the internation standards for certification.

To my limited knowledge, there are few certification courses available in Singapore (you might be able to find more on Google), they are:

• Polestar Education hosted by Focus Pilates
• Physical Mind Institue hosted by VF Studio
• STOTT Pilates hosted by Options Studio
• Fletcher Work hosted by iPilates (updated 12/2/08)

Besides checking if they are recognised by the PMA, consider if you are comfortable with the principles and style it offers. Like myself, I eventually found another certification available locally. This time round I was more aware of what was required in the certification process. I made sure there was opportunity to progress in my learning (ie, the host studio wouldn't close down suddenly!) and there are reasonably sufficient trainee hours that match my work schedule. I also found out that this cert advocates evolved Pilates, which applied physical and medical exercise therapy and science into classical Pilates exercises and philosophy. So this very scientific cert is a perfect match for a science geek like me.

Again quoted from Focus' website:

"Please don’t rush your decision to go into Pilates certification. Do some classes as a participant, meet different instructors from different schools of Pilates and see what suits you best. You’ll spend a lot of time with these instructors learning from them and their peers. Pilates is a way of life through exercise and you evolve with it so ensure it’s something you are comfortable with."

Case Study - Postural Correction

I decided to start documenting some of my Pilates classes, so that I can share my experience with other instructors, while this kind of written record will also be useful for my clients as reference. *Note: Names used are fictional.

Case Study - Alvin

Background:

Alvin is a 27y/o school teacher who is concerned about his own posture. Initial assessment reveals that he has exaggerated lordotic curves in cervical and lumbar area while too much kyphosis is observed in thoracic spine (hunch-back). He has never been medically diagnosed with any abnormality in the spine before. He is right handed and the right side of his body was generally stronger but also tighter than the left. His right shoulder is higher than the left. He used to play badminton and presently goes to gym regularly, mainly to run on threadmill and perform resistant training on stacked-weight machines (such as Chest-press, Lats Pull Down & Seated Row), after which he did not perform stretching as he was not sure what to stretch. Alvin went through 10-sessions of personal training but had no apparent result in terms of postural correction and weight gain. Movement analysis of upper limbs reveals lack of control and stability in the shoulder joint.

In conclusion, his posture is mainly due to weakness in postural muscles, such as serratus anterior, rhomboids and latissimus dorsi (back muscles), tightness in chest (pectorial major), back of neck (sternocleinomastoid & levator scapulae) and the thigh muscles (hamstrings and hip flexors). Instability & lack of control in shoulder movements (as shown in his pushing and pulling movement patterns) further reinforce the faulty posture.

Session #1 (focusing mainly on upper body):

Education of "correct posture", body awareness and proper neck alignment:

• The spine has two natural curves called the 'double C' or 'S' curves, these are the curves found from the base of head to shoulders and the curve from the upper back to the base of the spine. When standing straight up, weight should be evenly distributed on both feet.
• Using a mirror, align ears, shoulder, and hips. Proper alignment places the ears loosely above the shoulders, above the hips. Again, these points make a straight line, but the spine itself curves in a slight 'S'.
• Hold head in a balanced manner over the trunk in a sitting or standing position. The chin should be horizontal and parallel to the floor, drawn back slightly and centered. Try to stand, walk and sit "tall" at all times.

Reduce tightness and improve flexibility in cervical area.

• Tilt (stretch) head in all four directions over shoulders (forward, back, left, right). Avoid rolling in a circle, as it may cause further strain.

Education of proper movements over the shoulder joint & Improve strength of thoracic postural muscles.

• At quadriped position (on all four, with hips directly above knees and shoulders directly above wrists), find the neutral position by repeatedly curling the back upwards, like a cat, and then the opposite
• Lie facing up on a mat, 1. arms straighten pointing up to ceiling, "peel" shoulders off the mat and return, keeping shoulders away from ears throughout; 2. Arms straighten on the mat overhead, slide them along the mat, drawing shoulders towards ears then away from ears)
• Seated row and Lats Pull down, focusing mainly on engaging shoulders instead of the pulling motion.

By end of Session #1: Alvin's neck is a lot "straighter" (reduced lordosis) and Alvin is supposed to do his "homework" by practicing all the exercises above!

KL trip – Part II: The fake Pilates

I felt really guilty after pigging out on the previous night, so I headed straight to the hotel gym when our meeting ended early. The equipments there had reasonable variety and were well-maintained (after all it was in a 5-star hotel!). I trained my legs (which I am too lazy to train on normal days) and did a lot of stretching in the empty studio. Me and my colleague, L, was rather excited to know that there was a Pilates class happening at 6-7pm, the timing was just nice for us to lengthened ourselves before heading out for dinner (to pig out yet again)!

Unfortunately, both of us were horrified by what the instructor taught in the supposedly-Pilates class. We could not figure out what she was trying to teach in the first 5 minutes. It was NOT Pilates for sure, it was not yoga also. It was more like aerobic-styled yoga-wannabe.

Enough was enough, after the instructor finished her version of “Hundreds”, me and L exchanged glances and decided to leave the class! We could not tolerate anymore non-sense from the instructor that could potentially injure ourselves.

According to other club members, she was apparently an acclaimed instructor and her Pilates class was rather popular (it was full-house, by the way). I feel really sad, as the people who attended her class sacrifice their time and money, hoping to stay fit, yet they were “cheated” into fake Pilates which might injured them.

This make me ever more determined to let more people know what is real Pilates. I hope that the Pilates community (both instructors and practicioners) here can help people around them to be more aware about Pilates.

Pilates Podcast

I am quite excited today to have found a very cool website called the Pilates Podcast. It has a lot of informative podcast episodes in which the host shares with the audience her experience in starting up her very own pilates studio and a lot other really technical stuff. There is also a forum for her audience to discuss anything about Pilates. I am truly inspired by this podcast, and it makes me wonder when can P-Latte become just as interesting and interactive?

Now I am listening to the podcast while I am writing this entry as if I am listening to the radio.