If you have an existing Pilates practice, you know that order counts. We learn to breath before we learn to curl before we learn to lift and bend and twist. While Classical Pilates may insist on an order that looks something like 1, 2, 3, Pilates in Common appreciates an order that looks more like 1, 2, 1, 3, 1, 4. This type of order is sequential in a sense, purposefully repetitive, and seriously fun.
Pilates exercises involve a motor learning component that stimulates your sensorimotor system. This system applies previously learned movement patterns, developed through trial and error and repetition (1, 2, 1, 3), to plan and execute new exercises (4, 5, 6). Essentially, Pilates can be likened to a strategy game between you and your sensorimotor system.
WEEKLY CLASS DESCRIPTIONS
Monday, May 8th @ 12PM with Nicole
Today we’ll explore my favorite advanced exercise, Sidekick Kneeling. If you can balance on one leg, do a side lying leg lift or lift into side plank then you can do this exercise. We’ll not only prep the body with all the skills needed, but we’ll point out the exercises that are hidden inside Sidekick Kneeling. Prop: Yoga block or 3-4” thick book
Wednesday, May 10th @ 8AM with Destinie
BYOR – Bring Your Own Requests.
Friday, May 12th @ 10AM with Destinie
MELT® into the Weekend, a pop-up class in May. Destress the mind and body with the MELT® Method mindfulness and breathwork techniques followed by a Classical Pilates flow. Today, we'll learn a new MELT® Method technique to release your upper back!
BLOG POST SHOUT OUT
We have a blog spearheaded by Destinie and contributed to by all of your Pilates in Common teachers. We post every two weeks and you’ll be updated here in our Sunday newsletter. Click here to check out our latest post by Mollie Rose. It involves Mollie, horses, Florida, and Pilates–oh my!
DEEP DIVE
Sidekicks kneeling is a level V exercise that involves all of the Pilates skills–standing on one arm, lateral spinal flexion, hip extension, knee extension, and of course, hip abduction. Hip abdu-what? Abduction, or sometimes referred to as: A-B-duction, describes movement of a joint away from the midline. Take a jumping jack for example. When you make the big X in a jumping jack, that’s shoulder and hip ABduction. We can hip abduct better if we know what the heck is doing the work. The primary hip abductors (aka the side butt) are the gluteus medius, gluteus minimus, and the Tensor Fasciae Latae. Visualize these three bad boys in Monday class to strengthen that neuromuscular connection!
