Not A Carbon Copy
This article is somewhat different from others I have posted. It is a confession in a way. I have been a teacher and a passionate believer of the craft I espouse since 1997. Throughout those years I have honed and searched for the most perfect cues and the most efficient modifications and basically, the safest ways to teach people the rudiments of Pilates, and then to move, move more quickly and to feel the freedom of that movement. I know all teachers have their own style and routines of teaching. I was taught by the master herself, Romana...
read moreMy happy place
Fall is a season of introspection and reflection. It’s a changing of seasonal colors and moods and this can affect our thoughts and feelings as we know the grace and warmth of summer will fade and darkness of night comes all too soon. Just like children, freedom seems determined through enjoyable pastimes outdoors and routines of school and responsibilities become ever present. I remember several times throughout my life, being advised to “go to my happy place” when I felt overwhelmed or anxious. It may seem very simplistic,...
read moreThe Most Elegant Sport
Recently I attended the Hampton Classics in East Hampton and aside from glorious weather, the event is absolutely wonderful. I am not a novice to equestrian sports as my daughter was an avid rider, but one has an opportunity to stand back to watch and critique as a complete bystander. There are so many events taking place, that, for me, it was like walking through a fantastic candy shop, each venue was equally enthralling to me. Upon entering the grounds the first ring was a young group of girls all attired so beautifully. And ironically,...
read moreAbout the Manon pas de deux
It is said that the career of a professional ballerina is at best, only 20 years. That is not a long span at all considering that the first 10 are devoted to the rigors of learning their craft. Their young years are spent training and sacrificing for the exhilaration they receive when they have completed a new level or moving up in excelling in their art. Sylvie Guilliem was noticed by Rudolph Nureyev and like his muse, he trained and took a special interest in her as she moved up the ranks of the Paris Opera Ballet. To be able to move an...
read moreGo back to our roots
When I first got a glimpse of this commercial, I was fascinated. As far as it being actually relatable to bnb’s might be debatable. But from my perspective of being a seeker of helping people correct poor walking habits, it was so plain and simple and doable. We can watch a baby walking across the floor, still in its initial stages of missteps, arms flailing to steady themselves, and we are amused. They are not stiff in their joints and they don’t have hips which already makes their walking better than how adults evolve into their...
read moreStarting a New Beginner’s Class
First class is Wednesday at 3:30. You must reserve your spot! Please contact me at 516-319-4915. Starting this week, I am happy to announce that I will be adding a brand new class to the existing schedule at my studio. This will be a Beginner class. It will be a slower paced class in which terminology of the pilates syllabus is thoroughly focused on. The perfecting of these beginner exercises will come later on and is/will not be the focal point. There is much imagery and verbal cueing that is learned in a beginner level class and that will...
read moreQuestions to Consider When Looking for a Pilates Instructor
The holidays are long over and maybe some of your resolutions didn’t exactly pan out the way you believed they would. However, you know that exercise is and always will be an important facet of health and well being, tonal quality and weight loss. So what avenue or discipline will you search for? Cardio/ spinning/ jumping, punching, boot camp? Hint: if you are not already in tip top shape, this regime has the potential for a sudden injury. Muscles have to be warmed up and pre prepared for this kind of assault on them. Fast forward:...
read moreHow to Parlay a New Understanding to Exercising
In my last article which which skirmished over football mishaps, I touched upon the modality of coaches who have discovered new ways of cross training their athletes ( perhaps steroids might become obsolete )? It is evident even to an untrained eye that some teams are just “plain better”. How and why do they do what they do? In Pilates, I have taken many seminars on the body but none was more empowering and important than the one taught by my hero, Elizabeth Larkam. She is, was, and will always be a leader in the mechanics of the...
read moreThe New Frontier of Exercise
Being a Pilates teacher for 19 years plus, the classical technique I have honed throughout my career has blossomed into areas of discovery I never dreamt were possible. I can still remember observing professional dancers practicing their Pilates exercises as Romana Krazanowska tutored them. I was so impressed with their fluidness and accuracy with the transitions between each movement. It was mesmerizing and actually more of a performance than a workout session. Fast forward to 10 years later and teaching mat classes, privates, taking seminars...
read moreJoseph Pilates’ Desire to Bridge the Health Field
I was trained by the protege of Joseph Pilates, Romana Kryzanowska. It was always a delight to hear of the stories she related to her groups of apprenticing teachers. These stories, we’re often randomly passed on, during impromptu speeches, where we trained in Drago’s Gym (now known as True Pilates). Sometimes, Romana would join us as we had a quick bite of lunch before she left for the day. These stories were fascinating as well as informative. One story, which we heard time and again was that Joe had a deep yearning to be...
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