Pilates is not just for individuals who are willing to teach themselves. Most of the time, people are looking for Pilates teachers to help them learn and implement pilates exercises. If you want to be a pilates teacher, you have to know what to look for in a Pilates Teacher Training.

Most Pilates Teacher Training sessions are done during the weekend to give chance to working professionals to take part in them. The entry level training usually focuses on discussing the basic principles of Pilates and the mindset needed to encourage others to pursue it as a lifestyle. Most of the time, there are also self-directed programs that will enable the trainee to acquire knowledge and skills to be used when he or she becomes a pilates teacher.

The topics to be taken up in a Pilates Teacher Training include the principles behind Pilates as an exercise fitness, a historical overview of how Pilates was developed and became popular, a discussion of each exercise and the goals of each, incorrect posture and execution of pilates exercises, the order of exercises, adapting specific exercises to different clients and structuring private lessons.

After completing these sessions, you can move on to becoming a Level II Pilates Teacher. To attain this level, you have to demonstrate the right form and technique of each exercise. You also get to explore the book “Return to Life” by Joseph Pilates. As such, you will develop skills to see movement and look out for individual differences, how to analyze and evaluate biomechanics and continue practice teaching and enhancing your personal skills.

Most Pilates Teacher Training Programs offered also include Level III and Level IV. These levels will enable you to become a really effective Pilates teacher to spot clients and reinforce the correct form of executing exercises. You also get to integrate modified activities and structure lessons. Correction is an important part of teaching and at Level III training, you will learn how to do that and even how to use language to correct and reinforce correct pilates exercise execution. Using equipment in coordination with the exercises to achieve maximum effect. On Level III, you will also be expected to have hands-on practice and be in situations where you can use Pilates in individual instruction.

If you are really pushing for Level IV, then you will need to learn about common injuries and how they can affect the execution of Pilates exercises. This level also requires mastery from the first three levels. Because of that, this level is the most demanding level. You will learn how to implement and structure individual lessons tailored for each individual student. The background behind each exercise will also be explored, together with the right order of these exercises.

If you complete all of these levels, then you can become a certified Pilates Teacher.

Pilates Teacher Training is difficult but if you are passionate about being healthy and helping others become healthy, too, you can be their guide. Not just any guide, mind you, but somebody displaying expertise and maturity.

image credit: danshamptons

I have been exploring a number of exercises that I can do to lose belly fat. After a number of online search, reading books and talking with a number of friends, I’ve come across Winsor Pilates 20 Minute Workout.

The history of Pilates started out in early 20th century with Joseph Pilates. He called this method Contrology because this is a means to use the mind to control the muscles. It becomes not only a means to lose weight but also to ensure mind-muscle coordination. Pilates helps develop postural muscles to enable the body to maintain balance. This, in turn, will help support the spine. Another benefit of pilates exercises is awareness of the alignment of the spine, of regulated breathing. The goal is to strengthen the deeper muscles of the torso.

Winsor Pilates 20 Minute Workout is a good way to control the torso muscles. It is not just a collection of exercises but through more than 80 years of use, a lot of practitioners have refined it and implemented such changes.

A Winsor Pilates 20 Minute Workout has a number of components: breathing, centering, concentration, control, precision, efficiency of movement and flexibility.

Breathing helps in blood circulation. The blood has to be charged with oxygen so it can purge waste gases. As you go through the pilates exercises, you should not stop breathing at all! Pilates breathing should be done intentionally, with control, precision and concentration.

Pilates exercises target the large group of muscles in the center of the body-the abdomen, lower back, hips and buttocks. This group of muscles has been referred to as the powerhouse. All physical energy comes from the powerhouse then moves outward to the limbs. The powerhouse is also being referred to as the “core”.

Concentration is essential to ward off distraction and maximize the impact of Pilates. Control flows from concentration. This means that all muscle movements should be controlled by the mind, thus preventing sloppy movements.

Muscle movements should also be precise. Every exercise, every movement and every instruction has a purpose. Leaving out details would mean leaving out beneficial components of Pilates exercises.

Efficiency of Movement. In a Pilates workout, there are no wasted movement. There should be continuous movement between exercises to ensure proper transitions.

Read the rest of this entry »