Deeper Perspectives 2008 Courses:

Mark your calendar! Further details coming soon.

Domes, Arcs and Spirals: The CoreConnections® Pilates’ 3-Core Perspective
Presenter: Wendy LeBlanc-Arbuckle
April 4th: Master Mat Class at 5-6:30 pm, $20
April 5th and 6th (12 hour course)
Times: Saturday 12-7, Sunday 10-5
Cost: $350

Using the CoreConnections® Pilates 3-Core Perspective of Lower Core (feet to the pelvis), Central Core (pelvic floor to the diaphragm) and Upper Core (diaphragm to the cranial base/palate), we will explore movement dynamically, as a synergistic, integrated whole, rather than a didactic study of independent muscles.  This unique approach expands our understanding of core to a synergistic relationship of the domes, arcs and spirals that connect the body from the feet to the cranial base.

Part I: “Getting Hip to the Foot”…the pivotal relationships emanating from our Lower Core". 

The feet are our body’s sensory foundation.  The bones, joints and nerves in the feet, along with the energy meridians which begin or end at every toe, are a portal to the entire body.  We will explore the pivotal relationships emanating from our Lower Core (feet to the pelvis) to the Central and Upper Cores, and discover how we can “wake up” the feet and “spatially open” the hips to create a gateway to self healing, body balance...and stronger core support.

Part II:  “Looking Outside the “Box” …the spatial and layering dynamics of the Central Core”

Exclusive emphasis on what we classically call the “Powerhouse” can easily lead to an overworking of the abdominals and tightening of the back muscles.  Just as it is true that all connections must “travel” through Grand Central Station, it, much like our Central Core (pelvic floor to the diaphragm), must, if it is to operate as an efficient and effective central hub, work in concert with its “connecting lines”.   When we move to a more expansive perspective of the “Powerhouse”, there emerges a more fluid relationship within the muscular and fascial layers that support the body’s center.    In this workshop, we will explore the full range of actions of the pelvic girdle and spine and how the Lower and Upper Cores work with the breath energetically to support dynamic ease and function within the shoulder girdle, head and neck. 

Part III:  “Getting it off Your Shoulders…taking flight through the Upper Core”

If our hands, arms, shoulders and chest are the “instruments” in the orchestration of creative expression, sense perception, and our outward action into the world, then an energized Upper Core (diaphragm to the cranial base/palate),  is the symphony’s “first chair”.   With the right cues (“shoulder blade to belly”, “diaphragm to dome of the palate”, etc.), it becomes a crucial partner in our 3 Core trinity, under the guidance of our esteemed “conductor” (our Central Core).   By bringing into play our Upper Core, we discover a deeper access that allows the shoulder girdle to open to its full range, freeing our body to “take flight” in its full creative expression.

Deepen Your Practice ~ Expand Your Teaching
Presenter: Amy Lange and Cara Reeser
June 28th and 29th (12 hour course)
Times: Saturday 12-7, Sunday 10-5
Cost: $350

Through invigorating our personal Pilates practice, we inevitably find fresh inspirations for teaching and guiding our clients. In this course Amy and Cara will guide participants in a series of playful and provocative movement exercises to help deepen the body’s understanding of the Pilates movement work. We will then address “hard to do” and “hard to teach” exercises, applying what we have learned, so that you can begin to develop more successful ways to see, describe, time the exercises, and achieve movement goals you have for your self and your clients. Each day will start and end with a Pilates class so come prepared to move, play, and explore!

 

A Weekend of Feldenkrais. The Spine in Action: Developing Dynamic Stability
Presenter: Robert Sussuma
August 8th and 9th (7 hour course)
Times: Friday 6-8, Saturday 1-7
Cost: $250

The human spine is an engineering marvel: it is at once remarkably stable yet capable of twisting and bending in any direction. In our need for stability (or fear of a lack of stability), many of us sacrifice the mobility in the spine compromising many other basic movements and functions from walking to breathing, standing to reaching and in the process diminish our capacity for spontaneity and pleasure. In this workshop we will explore the movements of the spine in all directions and discover how mobility with awareness can lead to freedom, comfort and, perhaps paradoxically, dynamic stability.

 

Exploring Breathing
Presenter: Laura Karpinski Hester
October 25th (5 hour course)
Times: 2-7
Cost: $175

Joseph Pilates says in Return to Life, “…above all, learn how to breathe correctly”, but if you consider the wide range of breathing that is taught with Pilates, it is apparent that there are many possibilities! In this workshop we will first look at the anatomy and physiology of breathing as it occurs “normally”, and a few common dysfunctional breathing patterns. Secondly, a large range of breathing exercises and images will be introduced, taught, and practiced. We will discuss who certain breathing styles might suit best, and explore options for when a particular breath technique might be the most helpful to specific body movements. Finally, you will be able to practice incorporating some of the different breathing options as you participate in an exploratory Pilates mat class with a focus on (of course) the breath.

 

From the Inside Out:
An Exploration of the Skills Involved in the Pilates Repertory
Presenter: Cara Reeser
December 6th and 7th (12 hour course)
Times: Saturday 2-7, Sunday 12-4
Cost: $350

This 12-hour workshop presented by Second Generation Pilates Teacher, Cara Reeser, is designed for teachers and apprentices who are interested in deepening their relationship to their work.  This will involve exploring the skills, concepts and techniques necessary in teaching the Pilates repertory.  Inspired by years of learning from her mentor, Kathleen Stanford Grant, and over ten years of teaching and exploring The Pilates Method, Ms Reeser offers an in-depth “building blocks” approach to teaching Pilates, emphasizing a vocabulary of physical skills, and philosophical perspectives that can be used as tools for teaching anywhere, at any level, and to any-body! 

 

CEC credits may be accepted by the PMA, The Pilates Center, The Pilates Center Master’s Program, and other certifying organizations. Please inquire about the specifics for each workshop.