Home Again!

Blackpool is over for another year. It was great fun and I ensured that I attended a range of sessions; not only in pilates but I even managed to do Denise Page's Advanced Choreography class - it was fab. It was great to meet so many people along with hanging out with my old work colleagues from YMCAfit. We had a great time. I even helped out on the trade show stand and met Anna from Stott Pilates Canada for the first time. I really loved it - although extremely tired when I finally got home at 8.30pm last night zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Blackpool here I come!

Yep packed and raring to go. Managed to squeeze everything into the smallest suitcase and I'm so proud of myself. Hopefully I wont see too much I like at the trade show otherwise I wont have any space to get it home! Although Im doing many pilates and yoga sessions, Im also experiencing Zumba for the first time and of course my old boss' and buddy - Denise Page's advanced choreography ... well at least for her entertainment if nothing else. See you there

SIJ Draft Complete!

Did I tell you I have finally managed to complete the SIJ Essay that has taken me some time. I really enjoyed researching this and although I have some feedback to change a few things prior to submission, its been a fabulous learning process, one that I still believe is over diagnosed currently in the clinic - if our student college clinic is anything to go by!

Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction - there appears to be evidence that it exists - although not many researchers in agreement of how to test for it and in fact, due to the pain referral patterns and the highly ligamentous/innervation - it could be many years to come before there is total agreement on this subject area.

Fabulous reading if you are interested - start with www.dianalee.ca and then start delving into google scholar - its amazing what you can find!

Mat Course (Day 4) at Central YMCA 14-24th March

Sara and Jaro - Rolling....

I love teaching especially when you see some great improvements over the course of a few days. No doubt this group is still working extremely hard as they have Brigitte this week teaching them the postural analysis and programming as well as the intermediate repertoire! Good luck - just keep practising and your body will eventually got into positions that you didn't think possible... or am I thinking of yoga now!

Just to show you what we get up to - here's some photos of the latest course. If you want to become a STOTT PILATES instructor, please contact either YMCAfit or myself x

Carla and Dagmara - Sawing...


Fiona and Shauny ... Sawing

Sara and Dagmara - Stroking ....

Merry and Gina - Stretching....

Cardiotramp in the UK

I'm so very excited - I have just ordered the cardiotramp and pilates edge for my own studio and will also be taking the relevant workshops in Toronto in April - ready to take these in May. The cardiotramp is fitted to the reformer and is similar to trampoline so fabulous for soft landing and working on proprioception as well as lots of fun. The Edge is a triangular piece of equipment that can make the exercises either much harder - or of course easier depending on whether you use the incline as a resistance or an aid! How fab... Check out these accessories on www.stottpilates.com .

New Mat Pilates course at Central YMCA

Day 2 of the latest mat course and absolutely thoroughly enjoying it. The students are motivated and enthusiastic and are certainly putting some practice hours in. I love that dedication which will certainly show in both their exams and their teaching.

By the end of the week we would have covered all the essential matwork exercises and hopefully, the students will have enjoyed the course as well as my own ability to make learning fun... which it is isnt it?

Beasted at Garuda Pilates

My buttocks are on fire... who said that pilates didn't attack you gluts - mine are so rock solid at the moment. Actually during the class one was so sore that I thought it had actually turned into stone! Yes pain is pleasure... Ilat you are fab. And to top it the sun has finally come out and so has my legs - white as they are - they definately need to see some sun. So if you think that your buttocks need a little work - or even your abs - then come and do some pilates sessions.

Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction

After reading mountains of research, I still appear to be no clearer! This is a mammoth subject area and one that few people agree on. There appears to be minimal movement, more in women for obvious reasons of preparing for childbirth. However, the area that I am really struggling with is the inconsistency on testing for SIJ dysfunction. It appears that although there are a range of tests, there is mixed reviews on their validity. There also appears not to be clear presentations of the condition other than within a 2cm area of the PSIS. With all these inconsistencies, it must be very challenging to diagnose and treat. Something to look forward to when I am a fully qualified osteopath.

Exercise of the Month for March - Shoulder Bridge Prep with Leg Extension

Lie down supine on the floor with feet hip distance apart.

Pick the hips up from the floor to make a bridge position. Ensure the gluteals are working and that the pubic bone is lifted to avoid any extension in the lower back. Also ensure that you are balanced between the shoulder blades, avoiding coming up onto your neck.

Keeping the hips lifted, lift one leg straight. Keep the knees in line and the gluteal muscles gently squeezed by drawing the sit bones together.

Return the leg to the floor and repeat the exercise on the other leg.

Repeat each sequence 3-5 reps.

Once all repetitions are completed, hold the initial bridge position, ensuring that you are maintaining neutral spine with the gluteals gently tucked under to avoid excessive extension in the lumbar spine.





To finish lower the hips to the floor by folding at the hip joints rather than rolling through the spine.


Progression: Lift arms up to the ceiling directly above the shoulders to avoid pressing into hands.








Key points:

• Maintain neutral spine throughout the exercise
• Ensure shoulders are relaxed and shoulder blades are flat against the back
• Feel a gentle connection between the ribs and hips to work the oblique muscles as well as the gluteals in the bridge position. 

This exercise is good for gluteal (buttock) muscles, obliques (waist) muscles and deep spine stabiliser muscles.

Blackpool here I come!

After my cancelled half marathon, I've decided to go to the International Showcase in Blackpool after all. I've chosen a range of sessions from Stott Pilates to Zumba! Come and say hello if you're there. I'll probably be hanging out with the YMCAfit team as well as my friend Laura. The fitness convention is on 25-27th March so book on line and come along. It is excellent value. See you there x