The other day I was working with a client whose pelvis has a
tendency towards an anterior tilt. During the session we were looking at hip
flexion when she was supine (on her back), and I was teaching my client to
facilitate the spins of the femur to create efficient hip flexion. Say what??? The femur spins???
Why yes it does, in fact it also glides! When the hip flexes (thigh
moves closer to torso) the femur bone spins out and glides back, and when the
hip extends (Thigh moves away from the torso) the femur bone spins in and
glides forward. These are not the
muscular actions of external or internal rotation of the hip, this is the way
the femur bone moves in the hip socket during hip flexion and extension. After completing this simple exercise, I
asked my client to walk around the room. She seemed baffled because she knew
something was different, but she couldn’t tell me what had changed. Walking just seemed easier.
Here is a video of the exercise we started with. The yoga belt is facilitating the spins
of the thigh.
The previous video is showing the The Thigh Lift if you are
practicing the Bartenieff Fundamentals, or The Dead Bug if you are practicing
Pilates (The same idea in two different theories = important idea) This
exercise is about moving the femur into hip flexion with as much ease as
possible. It is the basis of
forward movement in gait, and if it is done efficiently in all relationships to
gravity, then the knees, hips and low back will be happy campers. This movement can be elusive in many
bodies because of muscular imbalances in the pelvis. Together my client and I discovered
that the yoga belt could help facilitate the movement.
Due to the success of this simple exercise, I heard myself
say, “What if we tried this?”
When I am teaching movement, “What if we tried this?” is the
precursor to the most interesting solutions, and whenever I hear myself say it,
I get just a little excited. I
feel the synapses connecting in my brain as information that may or may not be
relevant is brought forth for consideration. It’s during these moments between student and teacher that
theories and avenues of study are synthesized into the present. It’s here that
I realize no matter how many times I teach a particular exercise there will
always be more ideas to investigate.
We added the yoga belt to the Standing Leg Pump:
Then we added the yoga belt to the Scooter:
Then we added the yoga belt to the Side Splits:
At the end of the session, my client and I were flying high
on the discoveries we made. Using
the yoga belt in all of these exercises allowed my client to find balance in
the pelvis. She felt release in
both the front of the pelvis and low back. She felt more powerful in her gait, and she felt more secure
in all of her movement.
Each day at The Pilates Studio people are connecting to
their bodies on a cellular level and making change through movement. On the best days, one interesting moment
turns into several as the teachers at The Pilates Studio allow a wealth of
knowledge to be the basis for their intuition. The Pilates Studio becomes a living laboratory of the
learning process. We are
constantly gathering anecdotal data allowing the creative process to merge with
science and biomechanical fact.
“What if we tried this?” constantly weaves its way into our
conversations as does, “hmmm, now that was interesting. What if we changed the relationship to
gravity and tried again?” and now,
“What if we used a yoga belt?” has been added to the list of discoveries! Wow,
I love my job!!!!
Katrina Hawley C.M.A, PMA® -CPT
Director of Instruction at The Pilates Studio
After my heavy lifts days, I do Pilates twice in my weekly routine. Each session relaxes me so much. Best web deals at Ford injectors
ReplyDeleteThis blog beautifully illustrates the synergy between Pilates and specialized movements like spins, showcasing the versatility and adaptability of Pilates practices. The focus on balance, control, and core engagement is truly commendable. For those inspired by this approach, Pilates Academy Dubai offers expert-led Pilates classes in Dubai tailored to enhance strength, flexibility, and precision. Their programs cater to individuals at all skill levels, ensuring a rewarding Pilates experience. Keep sharing such insightful content—it’s a great source of inspiration for Pilates enthusiasts worldwide.
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