On my radio show, “All Things Pilates,” I recently had Dan Cutherbertson, a local Martial Arts expert, who has been teaching and training children and adults for the past 40 years. Dan explained about the different types of Marital Arts he taught at his Martial Arts school, and as the interview unfolded, he shared one […]
When I first learned the Pilates method from Romana, she referred to the method as the “Pilates system,” as there were eight major pieces of equipment that Joseph Pilates invented* and each had its own specific exercises. As one of the eight, the Ladder Barrel at first sight is just a large round hump with a […]
Age (ing) I used to live in one of the most superficial cities in the nation, one that was only capable of seeing and celebrating youth. But I was inspired by someone who was neither young nor yet celebrated, and by then, already in her seventies. Pilates protégé, Romana Kryzanowska, began visiting Los Angeles at […]
Recently, I was interviewed for a local Petaluma radio show, and the first question was what initially drew me to Pilates. My answer came easily as I told the interviewer I was working as a professional dancer and a member of Jazzantiqua, a LA based dance company, when one of the dancers invited me to […]
Joseph Pilates was an athletic man, which makes his life’s work a natural for men – too bad the true power of his method is misunderstood by many men choosing the gym instead. By using free weights and gigantic machines to train mostly the larger muscles groups, they virtually ignore the smaller muscles. Mr. Pilates […]
The quiet, powerful work of acupuncture and the Pilates method are regularly partnered because of the focus on stimulating and cleansing the organs. Joe often said by practicing his method, the organs would experience an internal shower, and though many people credit Pilates with mainly strengthening the core muscles, a more complete description is that […]
A loyal Pilates path is a righteous thing, but other types of passions can be on that path as well, and, for me, it’s always been my deep love and respect for horses. Regal, powerful and spiritual – these beings have it all. Recently, I was privileged to spend the day with a small herd […]
“You’re a bull in a china shop,” he said unapologetically. So how does my interim new boss think I’ve become as established as I am? Well, certainly not from hiding behind my mother’s apron. But just before I left Los Angeles to begin a new chapter, one of my very wise clients said to me, […]
As I move further away from time spent in Los Angeles, a new sense of freedom has emerged. It’s probably the clean, crisp air that’s making me feel both grounded and open, evidenced by the ease with which I practice Pilates, because I know I did not experience this type of expansion living in LA. […]
Joseph Pilates was quoted as saying he was fifty years ahead of his time. I can only imagine what he might have thought knowing that even as he was developing his system of mind/body fitness, the American public wouldn’t truly appreciate his contribution to wellness, until decades later. Over eighty years have gone by and […]