Fitness

Community Highlight: Polestar Practitioner Peter Clerkin

In your own words – describe “the Spirit of Polestar”:

PC: Using Pilates as a tool to create a positive movement experience.

What Three Words come to mind when you think of “Polestar Pilates”?

Holistic

Evolved

Legacy

What do you love about teaching Pilates?

PC: I love teaching because I can express and articulate what is good about Pilates as people do it – I know that a class or an individual person will feel better than they did before at the end of the session and I love to be present to see that change occur. I took my teacher training in London and my educators were Liz Bussey and Diane Nye.

What are your current Inspirations?  

PC: My current inspirations are researchers and physiotherapists trying to understand pain science so that it can be applied to Pilates, or movement practices in general, as a way to build resiliency in our clients. Polestar Educator Juan Nieto does a lot of good work in condensing this research and making it applicable to Pilates

Why Pilates?  How did you find the practice?

PC: I have been a Pilates teacher for almost 10 years – before that, I coached youth sports and earned an undergraduate degree in Sport and Exercise Science. Movement fascinates me and Pilates is a wonderful way of moving and making shapes that is in the moment, fun, and rewarding. Afterward, you feel improved emotional and mental health, and the physical, mental and emotional benefits continue the more you practice.

Pilates takes me into flow more than any other activity.

Why Polestar Pilates?  How did you come to join the Polestar Community?

PC: I felt that it was the gold standard regarding teacher training and I love that across the world we can all find common ground with the training and methods we use.

What do you hope to convey in your teaching?

PC: Moving is vital to being healthy and living a varied and fulfilling life. Also, that it can be fun, explorative, collaborative, and a way to understand your own unique body.

What is your favorite Quote? 

PC:

“The only constant is change”

Simple but powerful, I interpret it as trying to embrace what may come next and adapt to that rather than expecting things to be a certain way.

What is your Favorite Apparatus or favorite way to move?

PC: I love the ladder barrel – I think because a lot of the other apparatus are similar to each other. I like that the ladder barrel is a wonderful way of moving through many directions with your spine and also as a way to perform movements with a greater range of motion around the major joints.


You can find Peter on social media @peterdoespilates and discover teacher training opportunities here.

Community Highlight: Carlos Marin Burguillos

Carlos Marin Burguillos is an Educator for Polestar Pilates Spain. Discover how to keep your clients motivated to move with Carlos here.


In your own words – describe “the Spirit of Polestar”

CM: It is a way to rediscover natural movement, under the principles of science and self-exploration.

What Three Words come to mind when you think of “Polestar Pilates”

Family

Commitment

Movement

What do you love about teaching Pilates?

CM: I have always loved to train and from a very young age, I frequented gyms. Understanding the why and how of movement multiplied the effects of my fitness training.

Being an educator of future teachers means sharing everything I have learned over the years, in movement and in life. I believe that each person moves and understands movement in a special way, and having the opportunity to share my unique perspective makes me feel whole.

In my Pilates studio, we teach students different ways of moving so that each one can internalize in a way that best suits their way of life. I believe that the freedom to teach and explore within the principles of Polestar is what has helped my students the most to feel good within their bodies.

What are your current Inspirations?  

CM: Currently, I am very dedicated to my movement studies. Leading teacher training courses with Polestar is a window for me to share what I know with others who are moving in the same direction. I would love to be able to convey the little ideas that I develop throughout my experience with as many people as possible.

Why Pilates?  How did you find the practice?

CM: Pilates is the medium and the purpose is to feel good in the body. I learned about Pilates through a friend who suggested I take a class, and since then I have lived from it, for it and with it.

I think that the evolution of science and learning places me more in using the “pilates environment” than sticking to the traditional exercises as shown in the manuals. Knowing why and how to do things is important!

Why Polestar Pilates? 

CM: Polestar was the first school I trained with. I have also completed many courses with other schools. Polestar is a family to me and I have felt continuous accompaniment and support in all areas of my life from Polestar Spain. Polestar International makes it possible for this symbiosis to exist.

What do you hope to convey in your teaching?

CM: I hope to convey the knowledge of the principles to be able to help clients set objectives and carry them out. From there I hope to convey my point of view of the movement – how the support points create the stability necessary to release into the movement.

What is your favorite Quote? 

CM: First move – Then move well – Then move around a lot – And then improvise and be happy.

What is your Favorite Apparatus or favorite way to move?

CM: I think the Reformer is the most versatile apparatus, especially when teaching a group. All of the Pilates apparatus provide options and environments that enable learning.


Carlos is an Educator for Polestar Spain – You can find Carlos on social media @carlosmarin_move

Community Highlight: Edwin Carvalho de Oliveria

What Three Words come to mind when you think of Polestar?

  • Community
  • Movement
  • Quality

What do you love about teaching Pilates?

ECO: I love the possibility to offer people a better and more active lifestyle.

Where did you take your Training and who was the educator?

ECO: I am going through the comprehensive teacher training in Jacksonville, FL with Polestar Educator Lynn Peterson.

Why Pilates?  How did you find the practice?

ECO: I started to practice Pilates when I was performing in a dance company with my Pilates teacher, Selma França, an educator from Brazil.

Why Polestar Pilates?  How did you come to join the Polestar Community?

ECO: I used to practice Pilates and many other systems of movement we had to in the dance company. In our schedule, we had Pilates three times per week. Years after practicing with Selma at Bale Jovem de Salvador, I started going to Physio Pilates Ondina with Alice Becker to watch and assist her classes.

What do you hope to convey in your teaching?

ECO: Hope and reliability.

What is your favorite Quote? 

ECO:

“Choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life”.

ECO: I apply this teaching 4 days a week, I also move my body every day. I love what I do.

What is your Favorite Apparatus or favorite way to move?

ECO: I love Mat work because of all the possibilities it offers, it also gives you autonomy to practice no matter where you are!


You can find Edwin on Social media @edwiincarvalhoo

For more information on Teacher Training visit our website polestarpilates.com

No Pain No Gain? Ingredients for the Perfect Fitness Recipe

No pain, no gain?  Polestar educator Karyn Staples PT, PhD, NCPT discusses how cross training, moderation and epsom salt might be crucial ingredients for the perfect fitness recipe.

When You Don’t LOVE your Exercise Anymore

It’s been nearly two months since you resolved to get more exercise. You started with the best intentions. You went to the gym. You were going to run your first race.  But then your knee started to bother you. Or maybe it was your foot, your hip or shoulder. And the exercise didn’t seem so great anymore. The motivation to move is gone. It’s easy to become a couch potato.

What symptoms indicate that you need to see your doctor? According to Karyn Staples, PT, PhD, and lead physical therapist at ProHealth Physical Therapy and Pilates Studio, if you have pain while you’re at rest, pain that wakes you up in the middle of the night, or pain that lasts more than three days, it may be time to see a doctor.

“It’s normal to have muscle soreness twenty-four to forty-eight hours after exercise. If that soreness maintains the same intensity, and does not get any better seventy-two hours later, then you need to see your doctor.”

Staples explained, “It’s normal to have muscle soreness twenty-four to forty-eight hours after exercise. If that soreness maintains the same intensity, and does not get any better seventy-two hours later, then you need to see your doctor.” ProHealth offers Pilates-based physical therapy for those with a doctor’s referral.  What does Staples recommend for pain after exercising? “The first thing is to take an Epsom salt bath,” she said.  “When you next exercise, do a workout that is less intense. Walk instead of run. Lift weights that are less poundage.”

Karyn also recommends cross training at least once a week. “When you’re sore, if it’s purely muscle soreness from running too hard or too long, you want to do something that moves in a different way. Go through the range of motion for your joints, in a restorative yoga class, full body conditioning class, or a Pilates class.”

Pilates classes or private lessons create better movement.

Pilates classes or private lessons create better movement. How? “Pilates works on awareness of your body movement, working on the local stabilizing muscles. When we workout, we work the large global muscles—the ones that take you from Point A to Point B. We need the local stabilizing muscles to maintain the body in alignment so that the global muscles can do their job,” explained Staples.

One client, Emily, takes weekly Pilates lessons. “I don’t have an impressive physique or any great athleticism, and Pilates is perfect for me. Before Pilates, I would start exercise, and I would reinjure my knee and have to quit. So last year, I began private Pilates lessons. I was doing well, so I added in bike riding and weights at the gym. I feel so much stronger. I have less pain than when I started,” said Emily.

Besides working the local stabilizing muscles, Pilates works on balance. Karyn Staples said, “Balance is twofold—so that you don’t fall over, and balance in the body to decrease asymmetries. When one side is stronger than the other, your body will tend to use the stronger side.”

“Pain is an indication that we’ve chosen a poor movement strategy”

You might hear “No Pain No Gain” at some gyms. “Pain is an indication that we’ve chosen a poor movement strategy” said Staples. Pilates is never supposed to hurt.

It’s hard to love any exercise that hurts.  And Staples recommends finding movement that you can enjoy. “It should be fun. That way it’s not a task that you are dreading. There’s a lot of research on emotions. Negative emotions attached to something mean that we will have a negative experience.”

Staples told the story of one patient, a woman training for a marathon. She had pain in her knee while running, and it got worse to the point where she couldn’t walk. She started in Physical Therapy at for Illiotibial Band Syndrome. The Pilates-based therapy was so effective, that after she finished, she continued with Pilates once a week. She’s had a marked improvement in her running, pain-free for months. She calls Pilates her “favorite hour of the week.”

“In 10 sessions, you feel better, 20 sessions you look better, 30 sessions you have a completely new body.” – Joseph Pilates

Join Karyn in the upcoming Comprehensive Pilates Teacher Training in Atlanta, GA

Educator Highlight Shelly Power

Shelly Power is the Director of Curriculum for Polestar Pilates.  She has been teaching Pilates since 1992 and has lead teacher trainings since 2000.   Shelly’s unique and rich teaching style includes aspects from her specialization in NLP communication and experience teaching dance and movement to children.   We sat down with Shelly to learn more about her, including her love of backpacking, sailing, yoga and travel.

Polestar: What do you love about teaching?

SP: I love being part of the a-ha moments.  It doesn’t matter if it’s in a weekly class or teacher training, when a student is able to do something that they weren’t able to do before, or understands something about their body or a movement that they hadn’t known before, that is really powerful.

Polestar: What is your movement background?

SP: Former competitive swimmer, gymnast and professional dancer.

Polestar: What are your current inspirations?

SP:  Functional movements (that have been en vogue recently) like Animal Flow, Ido Portal and certainly Runity which uses movements that everyone should be able to do to help us get in shape to run pain free.  Sadly we cannot all do basic squats, push ups, and lunges because we stopping doing and practicing them.  So, I have been practicing them, and I can do them along with a decent handstand and amazing cartwheels!

Polestar: Why Pilates?

SP: First I love how the movements feel in my body, so that’s selfishly number one.  In the bigger picture though, I really appreciate how connected the different movements are and how we can use the equipment to assist movement in so many different ways.  Obviously we can change springs and change the size of movement but there are so many other ways we can leverage our bodies and the equipment to help us achieve our goals.

Polestar: What do you hope to convey in your teaching?

SP:  Everyone is different, Perfection isn’t the goal.  If it’s difficult, maybe you need to change how you’re doing it or thinking about it, Know what you are trying to achieve.

Polestar: Where would you love to vacation to?

SP: Wind River Mountains, Thailand, South Island NZ, South Africa…

Polestar: Do you have a favorite quote?

SP:  “Never allow a person to tell you no who doesn’t have the power to say yes,” and, “do one thing every day that scares you.” Both by Eleanor Roosevelt.

Polestar: Describe your movement style…

SP:  Elegant (except when doing yoga at 6:30 in the morning!)

Polestar:  What are your favorite apparatus?

SP: Pilates Chair and GYROTONIC® Pulley Tower.

Polestar: What are you reading?

SP:  Buddha and Einstein Walk Into a Bar: How New Discoveries About Mind, Body, and Energy Can Help Increase Your Longevity, by Guy Joseph Ale When Breath Becomes Air, by Paul Kalanithi, MD.  Fat Chance: Beating the Odds Against Sugar, Processed Food, Obesity, and Disease, by Robert H. Lustig, MD.


Be Your Own Architect!

Becky Phares, PMA®-CPT is a Polestar Pilates Graduate, Practitioner and contributor to the Polestar Life Weekly Blog.  With more than 10 years of teaching Becky teaches at her studio The Body Initiative Pilates Studio in Lafayette, Louisiana.  Find Becky and her Studio on Facebook: The Body Initiative Pilates Studio and Instagram @the_body_initiative_ .

Being Your Own Architect

“Everyone is the architect of his own happiness.”

-Joseph Pilates

If you are a Pilates instructor you have probably heard the quote from Joe in Your Health: “Everyone is the architect of his own happiness.” This to me means that we as humans have the control to make the necessary changes in our lives to create fulfillment.  When teaching class, I find myself referring to my clients as their own personal architects to help inspire the point; take control of your own joy, mental well being, and physical health. Hearing the word architecture in Pilates also makes me think of other characteristics this profession provides. In exercises like long stretch, I ask my clients to imagine that their body is like a house. When you are in the plank position your house is small and needs only a few supportive beams. When you are stretched out long you must add in more support so the roof doesn’t cave in. These cues make me think of one of Polestar’s favorite philosophies: as little as possible, as much as necessary. What better way to validate this connection than to interview an architect. So I sat down with my friend Kally to see if our ideologies mesh. BP: Describe your job in 1 sentence: Kally: I design custom homes from scratch. BP: What type of supportive systems are used in a home that you design? K: They are all wood framed houses so normally wooden beams, columns or structural walls. Sometimes when we want a long span of open space we use steel beams. BP: How do you determine how many beams to put up in your house to keep the roof from caving in? K: So over 20 feet and under normally requires some sort of wooden beam. Over 20 will require a bigger/stronger beam. BP: What would happen if you have to little support? K: Well the structure would fall, obviously. BP: What would happen if you have too much support? K: Too much… nothing would happen to the structure, but it would be a waste of resources. BP: What other things make your job fun but challenging? K: It’s fun because it’s creative and each family I design for is unique. It’s challenging for 2 reasons: 1. When the lots are small but people still want to build a big house on limited space. 2. Trying to accommodate everything they want but sometimes those things conflict with each other physically. For instance, you want a window in the bathroom, but the desired location of the bathroom is not on an exterior wall. So we either have to move the room, or not have windows. BP: Based on this interview I have supported the reasoning for why the quote, “as little as possible, as much as necessary” is important not only in Pilates and architecture but in life in general. Using too much stuff during a job wastes resources; using too little doesn’t create enough support. I have also realized that my job and Kally’s have more similarities than I once imagined. We both have to figure out what is best for our clients through creative and critical thinking. She describes her process of designing a house like putting together a jigsaw puzzle. Kally knows what they want, but it is not always a quick fix. Similarly, when a new client walks into my door, they may have a goal for their body, but I know it will take multiple sessions to make that goal a reality. Becky Phares, PMA®-CPT is a Polestar Pilates Graduate, Practitioner and contributor to the Polestar Life Weekly Blog.  With more than 10 years of teaching Becky teaches at her studio The Body Initiative Pilates Studio in Lafayette, Louisiana.  Find Becky and her Studio on Facebook: The body Initiative Pilates Studio and Instagram @the_body_initiative_ . Link our Blog? Subscribe to the Newsletter Polestar Life Weekly!