Pilates - A Spectator Sport!

Scoop of the Week: Pilates Stuff I Love!

Who says Pilates can't be a spectator sport?  It is for me when I get comfy on my couch and pop in my Classical Pilates Technique DVDs and revel over archival Pilates exercises.  When's the last time you tried single-legged Stomach Massage Series?  Or what about single-arm Knee Stretches... with your knees off?  What about long spine stretch... with NO STRAPS?  Have you ever stood on the reformer for Swakiti?  Or done Up Stretch with your toes on the shoulder blocks?  Or, what about a combination of Front Splits on the reformer while doing Boxing, Hug a Tree and Shaving with dumb bells? Personally, I think these exercises go fabulously well with a glass of Cabernet and a comfy seat.

As explained on the DVD by narrator, Alycea Ungaro, many of the archival exercises that aren't taught in today's certification programs were developed based on the individual needs of some of Mr. Pilates' clients that ranged from professional dancers and athletes to circus performers.  The highly athletic and advanced nature of the archival exercises are indicative of the level some of his clients performed at.  They show how innovative he was in creating "sport-specific exercises" that would enhance his client's skills and balance bodies that tend to be stressed by the repetitive motion demanded by their careers.  There's even a reformer exercise where you balance in arabesque... in plie... while doing chest expansion.  WOW!  Talk about stability and control!  What a perfect exercise for his ballerina clients. 

I've always been a huge fan of the DVDs produced by Classical Pilates Inc.  They're a must-have for Pilates enthusiasts who want to view and study the method in its entirety; from beginner to super-advanced and archival exercises on all apparatus.  Each of the exercises is executed in "real time" with such impeccable form and you get to see the dynamic flow and precision of the technique that makes Pilates such a phenomenal workout.

My many thanks to Peter Fiasca, Bob Liekens, and Alycea Ungaro for their collaboration on this enormous project and for documenting the Pilates Method for those of us who like to be spectate as much as  we like to participate.    By the way, Peter Fiasca and Bob Liekens will be teaching at the Body-Mind-Spirit Conference in Santa Clara, CA from April 25th-27th.  See you there!

Rock Your Powerhouse!

Kira

Comments

[Kira Morris]

Hi Jennifer,
Thanks for being a regular "Rock Your Powerhouse!" reader. And, like you, I feel as if my Pilates practice is perfectly complete without some of those beautifully executed exercises by Peter Fiasca and his crew. But isn't it amazing to see how far we can take our practice if we choose too? Mr. Pilates was truly an innovative genius.
Rock Your Powerhouse!

[Jennifer]

Thanks for this post! It made me laugh for sure and made me feel not so guilty that I don't want to do Up Stretch with toes on blocks....really why is it necessary? I hope I never get bored in my pilates journey that I feel I have to do some of these beautiful, yet crazy classical moves. Again, thank you for your blog. I was away on vacation in Miami Beach with my husband and couldn't wait to check my google reader for your blog.