Peak Performance Pilates

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To engage the back of the shoulders and armpits reach through your pinkie fingers. It is an effective cue for many skills including the Hundred, The Short Spine Stretch, The Overhead prep pulls, The Chest Expansion.

Kathy Grant used to say “Friendly inner thighs – if they get to know each other, they may like each other.”  Ron Fletcher used to insist on zipping the legs (including his bolt images). When you zip the legs it should follow a line that is slightly posterior, not one that is in the front of the leg (otherwise you may get knee problems). (FYI:The adductors do insert slightly posterior on the femur).  There are many benefits to zipping the legs including: 1) Dr. Wonson (and Physio-synthesis) state that it activates the pelvic floor and thus the lower abdominals (they are connected). So it is a great way to find the center.  2) It increases the flexibility of the IT Band functionally. This allows us to walk properly since we need to get the foot near the midline when we walk. 3) Strengthens the inner thighs. 4) Aligns the legs, feet and hips.  So concentrate on zipping the legs in The Hundred, The Teaser, The Footwork, The Hundred and other skills. You will notice it is easier to perform the skills, and you will feel it more in the center!

Balance is crucial for proper function. Try sitting on a physioball. Your knees and hips are 90 degrees, knees above ankles, feet and knees parallel, legs zipped together. Your hands can rest on the ball or reach out to the side. Look straight ahead at a point on the wall and balance there for 30 seconds to 1 minute. If this is easy turn your head and look to one side and then look to the other side. Really see something to each side. Then come back to center. You will feel that “belly button to the lowest part of the waistline” that Kathy Grant spoke of. You can perform the Pilates’ “Spine Twist” on the ball. There is still room in Dr. Gotz Lehle’s Balance workshop (April 14) and his Cranio-mandibular workshop (April 13)! Come join us for some inspiration and fun!

Come join us in this special opportunity!  There is still space available.  Dr. Gotz Lehle, MD from Italy will be teaching 2 insightful workshops: Friday April 13, 4 – 7 pm Cranio-mandibular problems (CMD). How to assess and address problems through movement. Saturday, April 14, 3–6 pm,  Proprioception – the Seventh Sense. Balance. Description: Workshop 1: The cranio-mandibular area is at the top of the spine and influences the entire body.  If you address the cranio-mandibular region then you address many parts of the body at once. This is very applicable to Pilates and movement teachers, physical therapists, chiropractors and any body therapist. Workshop 2: Proprioception – the Seventh Sense. Balance is an integral part of health and Pilates. Mr. Pilates incorporated balance in his repertoire. Come learn about the proprioceptive system and enjoy the challenge of the balance movement combinations.  Dr. Lehle is an Orthopedic Doctor, GYROTONIC® practitioner with a background in Osteopathy, Applied Kinesiology, Chirotherapy, M. Feldenkrais® and acting.  He teaches and practices in Germany, Italy, France and New York.  Dr. Lehle is available for private consultation between April 14- 15.  For information contact Jennifer Stacey, M.S.   info@peakperformancepilates.com   Flyer and registration: Dr Gotz

The Proprioceptive system and Balance is an integral part of optimal function. Try the following skill: Stand with your legs straight, arms out to the side, sternum soft. Look at a point straight in front of you. Reach the arms out in opposite directions. Push down through your right leg, reach up through the back of the top of the head. Pull your belly to the lowest part of the waistline. Lift up the left foot slightly, without disturbing the alignment of the hips. Do not place the left foot on the right leg or ankle. Try balancing for 30 seconds.  If you can do that, try closing your eyes briefly, pretending you are seeing the point in front of you.  Be near a wall or something you can place your hand on if you need to do so. Repeat on other side. To learn about proprioception and balance skills come attend the exciting workshop  “Proprioception-the seventh sense” taught by Dr. Gotz Lehle, M.D. (from Italy) on Saturday, April 14 from 3 pm – 6 pm. Dr. Lehle is an orthopedic doctor with experience in a multitude of health and movement disciplines. See previous blogs for details.   For information contact Jennifer Stacey, M.S.   info@peakperformancepilates.com   Flyer and registration: Dr Gotz

The Jaw is one of the greatest weight bearing joints of the body. It sits at the top of spine, so it can influence everything below it. Before your movement session, you can rub your jaw, and perform Eve Gentry’s mouth gargles.  Pretend your mouth is full of mouth wash and you are moving the mouth wash around in the mouth. Dr. Gotz Lehle, from Italy,  will be teaching an exciting workshop on Cranial Mandibular (CMD) problems.  How to assess and address these problems through movement. If you address the CMD area, then you address a myriad of other problems in the body.  So it is very effective work.  The workshop is open to clients, movers, movement teachers, physical therapists, chiropractors, doctors. Friday, April  13, 4pm – 7pm.  Since he was an actor and comedian, he is an exceptional lecturer with a background in numerous medical, health and movement areas.

Dr. Gotz Lehle, MD from Italy will be teaching 2 insightful workshops: Friday April 13, 4 – 7 pm Cranio-mandibular problems. How to assess and address problems through movement.  Saturday, April 14, 3 – 6 pm Proprioception – the Seventh Sense.          Dr. Lehle is an Orthopedic Doctor, GYROTONIC® practitioner with a background in Osteopathy, Applied Kinesiology, Chirotherapy, M. Feldenkrais® and acting.  He teaches and practices in Germany, Italy, France and New York.  For information contact Jennifer Stacey, M.S.   info@peakperformancepilates.com   Flyer and registration: Dr Gotz

An inspiring video! https://vimeo.com/31733784

Eve Gentry taught us to breathe into one lung at a time. When she performed it, it looked like her entire body inflated on that side!  Place a towel or theraband loosely around the lowest part of your lungs. Practice expanding into the both sides of the band. Now try breathing into the left lung.  You can shift your rib to the left if you want to make it easier to do. Breathe a few times and notice if you have any restrictions.  Now breathe into the right side.  See if you feel a difference between the two sides.