Pilates Teacher

Educator Highlight : Karyn Staples PhD

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“I am a wife, mother (2 children), physical therapist, Pilates instructor, business owner, researcher, and mentor. I live in Peachtree City, GA and am the local operator of ProHealth Physical Therapy and Pilates Studio (established June 2005). I graduated from the University of Evansville in May 1998 with my Master’s Degree and Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Therapy. I attended my first Pilates continuing education course in June 1998 and fell in love with the work for my own body.

I was a gymnast as a child and the movement made sense to me. In June 2002 I began the doctoral program at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (Provo, UT) with the focus area of Orthopedics and Sports Science. The program provided access to wonderful teachers, mentors, and classmates from all over the USA. Through all of my doctoral work, I had continued my personal Pilates practice and decided to pursue a comprehensive teacher training program (the completion of the program counted towards my required practicuum). I was drawn to Polestar Pilates for the rehabilitation background and how the program would enhance my physical therapy practice. I completed the program in May 2005 and completed the Advanced Teacher Training coursework in January 2011.“

What do you love about teaching Pilates and owning a Studio?  Where did you take your Training and who was the educator?
KS: I love assisting people on a path of healing. I love seeing the growth of my co-workers as their skill set continues to develop. I took my training in Evansville, IN with Kristen Veltkamp in 2004/2005. I opened up ProHealth Physical Therapy and Pilates Studio in June 2005.

What are your current Inspirations?​  What do You love about them? 
KS: My current inspiration are my children. They are 12 and 10—evolving as independent thinkers, still reaching out for guidance/assistance, willing to make mistakes and learn from them, willing to challenge the way things are/or appear to be—how can things be different.

Why Pilates?  How did you find the practice? 
KS: It fits for my body. I was a gymnast as a child and when I discovered Pilates when in my 20’s it was a reminder to me of what my body was capable of doing.

What do you hope to convey in your teaching? 
KS: A sense of hope. Movement is medicine.

Where would you love to Vacation to? 
KS: My family and I really love to travel. We enjoy cruising quite a bit to explore many areas in one vacation. Our favorite spots: New Zealand, Iceland, Ireland

What is your favorite Quote? 
KS: “The healthiest response to life is joy.” Deepak Chopra

Describe your movement style? 
KS: I move with purpose.

What is your Favorite Apparatus or favorite way to move? What do you love about it? 
KS: Pilates Chair—ability to move in many different orientations to gravity without much assistance. Hamstring III is my favorite as it brings me upside down, back to my gymnast days.

What are you reading or learning about? 
KS: The Revolution of Marina K by Janet Fitch. I generally read books that will inform my physical therapy and Pilates profession, but this book has historical accuracies very intriguing.

How does Pilates inform your profession?​ 
KS: Pilates is an integral part of my profession. The philosophies guide everything I do each and every day.

Educator Highlight : Kim Gibilisco

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What do you love about teaching Pilates? Where did you take your training and who was the educator?

KG: I love meeting and helping others with their movement acquisition and also overcome their pain.  I was trained by Brent Anderson and Cynthia McGhee in 1998 here in NYC when my husband, Bob Turner, hosted the Polestar series at his physical therapy studio.

What are your current inspirations? What do you love about them?

KG: I am deeply inspired by music, especially yogic chants.  I am enthralled by the long history, the storytelling and the symbolism of the work.  I also appreciate the flexibility in the interpretation of the stories and the music.

I am deeply inspired by my dance students and clients.  Witnessing someone’s movement journey is a privilege and honor for me.

My husband of 20 years is an incredible inspiration to me.  He is a truly gifted healer and mentor to young clinicians.  He was raised on a farm and can literally fix or heal anything with his hands.  I love that Bob recently began studying guitar.  He plays every night before bed, no matter how tired he is. 

Why Pilates?  How did you find the practice?

KG: Pilates is very integral to the Nikolais/Louis Dance Technique floor barre.  When I was performing with the Nikolais/Louis Dance Company, I dove deeper into the technique by studying Pilates on the apparatus.  Pilates also helped me stave off injuries while I was touring. 

What do you hope to convey in your teaching?

KG: Safety, support, compassion and encouragement

Where would you love to vacation?

KG: Fiji and Bora Bora while I am still willing to be seen in a bathing suit!

What is your favorite Quote?  How do you live, embody and apply this?

KG: I have two that always play like a loop in my mind’s eye…

         “If you’re not going to do it right, don’t do it at all.” – Benedicto Gibilisco (My Biological Father).  I interpret this as, always offer your best effort, with an open heart and take pride in all of your work.

“Some teachers use their classes to exercise their own egos…Basically a good teacher feeds the class, and a bad one feeds from it.” – Murray Louis (My Dance Father), Inside Dance

Describe your movement style?

KG: Focused, passionate and dedicated

What is your favorite apparatus or favorite way to move? What do you love about it?

KG: I love any apparatus that challenges me, makes me laugh at myself and forces me out of my habit.  Right now, I am experimenting with integrating the Oov, resistive discs and squishy ball into Pilates and Yoga exercises.

What are you reading or learning about? 

KG: I dove into Deepka Chopra’s, “Seven Laws of Spiritual Success,” after our inaugural Polestar Retreat.  Alexander Bohlander offered us a class integrating the 7 Laws.  As soon as I got home, I purchased the book.  I read it every day, like a bible, to set me up and also to offer gratitude and perspective for my life.

How does Pilates inform your profession?

KG: Pilates informs everything I see, everything I do and everything I experience.  I am so grateful for how our Polestar Family exemplifies life-ling learning.  You will NEVER see a PoleSTAR sitting on the floor during anyone’s class!  Everyone is participating and learning from one another, no matter what level of education they have, no matter who the teacher is, no matter what the material being covered.  We are encouraged to develop our own creative signature in our teaching and to hold each other up as we learn from one another.  There is nothing else like it in the world!

You can find Kim @movement_colab and MOVEMENT COLab

and @5pointpt

Selecting a Pilates Studio

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You’re either new to teaching, you’re moving to a new city, or it’s time for a change, and you’re facing the big decision of either opening your own studio or finding an environment where you can teach. This article focuses on the latter: how to select the ideal environment in which you can thrive as a movement professional. Below are some helpful points to consider in your selection.

There will be various factors unique to you and the city you live in that you’ll need to consider, and this can help you get the process started. – Kate Strozak,

First consider the type of environment that would appeal to you most. Here are some of the typical options:

  • Corporate options: this entails working for a studio that is housed within a larger complex such as a gym, social club, hospital, or university. The benefits of these environments are that you’ll likely have support from an HR department, consistency with expectations, and you likely won’t have to concern yourself with your own extensive marketing. Protocol will have been established and there will be processes in place to support you in your work environment. Some instructors dislike this option because it might feel restrictive in terms of established processes and procedures, and you’ll have to adopt their specific corporate culture.
  • Small business: this option involves working for an independently owned business, and the sizes can vary. Some of the perks include joining a business that has a unique culture where processes and systems are evolving over time. Some instructors thrive in this environment as it may be more conducive to flexibility, creating your own unique identity, and being able to run your own business within a business. On the other hand, working in a small business might entail inconsistencies in terms of rules and expectations.
  • Franchises: these are an interesting mix between how I describe corporations versus independently-owned businesses. Franchises are typically owned by somebody local who has subscribed to the franchise model. You benefit from the consistency and procedures in place, but you will need to subscribe to the larger franchise culture, which permeates each independently-owned franchise. Franchises might feel as though you belong to a large community, which can be a satisfying experience for somebody.

 Second, consider the type of clientele you would like to work with. 

  • If you are passionate about working with a clientele with a specific condition or situation, you could either find an environment with an existing reputation for that specialty or you can find an environment that would support you in specializing. 
  • If research is of particular interest to you, it would be helpful to find a university or hospital-based environment that has existing resources to support you in your endeavors.
  • For sports performance-based specialization, see if you can collaborate with professionals already equipped and servicing this population. Some professional sports teams are building out Pilates studios within their training centers.
  • For the general public, you have a wide spectrum of options, and you’ll likely select your environment based on a multitude of other factors, including some listed below.

 Lastly, these are some miscellaneous recommendations to ensure that you’re being selective with your decision.

  • Spend time in the prospective environment at various times of the day and on a variety of days. Notice how coworkers interact with each other and with clients, and notice the clientele that come into the space. Does it seem like a supportive, collaborative, and positive environment?
  • If possible, talk with some instructors who have been working there to get their perspectives. What are their favorite attributes about the environment? What are their greatest frustrations? How long have they worked there? 
  • Is your goal to progress to a management position? This is a nice thought to consider early on, and it might be something you could begin with or work towards over time.
  • Do the requirements for the position seem rigorous? If you’re looking for a place to work that is focused on high quality and caliber, they likely have more stringent requirements for instructors coming on board. Continuing education benefits are more than just a bonus; they can indicate that an organization is willing to invest in their employees/contractors and that education and development are highly prioritized.

Ask the person you’ll be reporting to how they support you in building your clientele. It is helpful to know these expectations from the get-go. Do they expect you to market yourself and attract your own clientele? Are they marketing you and generating leads for you? Do they already have classes and clients established for you?

 This process can be challenging and lengthy. Everybody responds to changes differently, and considering that we spend so much time and energy on working, it certainly is a big decision to make. Above all else, be selective and go with your gut. Try to find an environment that will be conducive to your personal and professional growth and evolution.

You can find Kate on instagram at @katestrozak

Fascia in Pilates by : Kate Strozak
Pilates in Healthcare by: Kate Strozak

Discover 4 Surprising Benefits of Pilates

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Pilates is celebrated for its ability to sculpt and strengthen the body. Core strength, improved posture, and ability to lengthen and tone muscles are just some of the effects that come from a regular Pilates practice. In this article, you will discover four lesser-known, surprising benefits of Pilates.

A deeper understanding of the multifaceted benefits of Pilates can enhance your Pilates experience and further benefit your practice and teaching. When you understand Pilates’ potential to influence the body in these ways, you can also use it more effectively for rehabilitation, mental, and physical health.

1. Pilates for a Healthy Mind

Pilates requires you to focus intensely on your breath and the movement of your body. It’s no surprise then, that fans of the method promote Pilates as an excellent way to achieve greater body awareness and mind-body connection. These effects are not merely anecdotal. There is scientific evidence to back up the zen-like state achieved through mindful movement. A recent government study revealed a link between mindfulness and Pilates, and how the Pilates method can improve the psychological well-being of its practitioners. The PMA website says: “Concentrated and focused breathing initiates the relaxation response and reintegrates the nervous system for receptivity.”

Chemically, Pilates also appears to act on the brain and body by shifting it into a homeostatic state, as well as stimulating the brain’s frontal lobe, the area responsible for memory and creativity.

2. Pilates for a Pain-Free Existence 

While the positive effects of Pilates on brain function and mood are important, repertoire exercises also have the potential to “move the mind.” This in turn can have a significant impact on the way the body functions. As teachers, understanding this can be particularly useful, especially with regards to client rehabilitation. Dr. Brent Anderson, physical therapist and CEO of Polestar Pilates, explains that physical pain can be a manifestation of emotional trauma. Pilates, through emphasis on mind and body integration, can reveal the emotional rather than structural issues responsible for physical pain. According to Dr. Anderson, “perception influences motivation in movement.” So your feelings about your body and your capacity for movement can have a significant impact on physical pain. In his experience, exercises that incorporate the whole body create an “almost meditative state for the patient, enhancing body awareness and exploring new movement opportunities without pain.”  Using Pilates equipment to challenge the body can radically shift perception of limitations and prevent one from bracing in anticipation of discomfort. This ultimately helps reduce pain during everyday activities.

3. Immune Booster and Detoxifier 

While most people might associate the key benefits of Pilates with defined abdominals, a brief look at the origins reveals far-reaching potential to heal various systems within the body. Joseph Pilates refined his exercise system while he interned on the Isle of Wight in World War I and used it keep the prisoners fit. Conditions in the camp were poor, yet when influenza struck England the campmates were unaffected.While Joseph’s assertions that this was due to his training regime may be an urban myth, the potential of Pilates to support and improve immunity through its effects on the lymphatic system now have some scientific evidence. According to lymphatic system specialist Katharina Hesse, Pilates movement helps drain the lymphatic system and detoxify the body by mobilizing joints where lymph nodes are located and by stimulating the area around the navel, another site for lymph nodes.  Pilates can also have a positive influence on the digestive system because of its massaging effect on the organs and the unique way it moves the body in all different planes. Exercises like single leg stretch on the mat or stomach massage on the Reformer are great examples of how Pilates can aid the digestive system and encourage detoxification.

4. The Benefits of Pilates for a Long, Strong Life

We all know about the weight-bearing benefits of Pilates, but did you know that challenging the body in this way is essential for skeletal health? Osteoporosis, the degeneration of bone density that can occur as we age, is a major health concern in the older population. This is particularly significant given the fact that over-65 is the fastest-growing age group in the country. Age UK predicts that nearly one in four people in the UK will be 65 or over by 2040. Rebekah Rotstein, a Pilates for osteoporosis specialist, explains why these exercises are so important for strong bones: “Bone is dynamic tissue, like muscle, that strengthens in response to forces it has to resist. Gravity is one such force, and working against gravity is what we refer to when speaking of “weight-bearing exercise.” 

The Controlled nature of Pilates movements and the ease with which tension can be modified makes Pilates ideal for older people to weight-bear safely and effectively.

Balanced Body Inc’s. Ken Endelman explains how Pilates teaches control and stability. This is “crucial for older adults as it can help them improve much of their functional movement, including balance and posture.” The focus on balance, posture and alignment can help prevent older adults from falling, which is the main cause of fractures. Yet this emphasis on creating a strong, stable skeleton through movement should not only apply to the elderly. Rotstein, who herself was diagnosed with osteoporosis at the age of 28, champions Pilates as excellent for younger people, particularly as an accompaniment to exercise programs such as weight-training. The emphasis on correct alignment means that when performing movements under load, the forces are distributed evenly through the pelvis and spine. This makes Pilates a safe and effective way to boost bone health. Experts like Rotstein maintain that if you do this, you will reap the rewards for years to come.   

If you found these benefits of Pilates insightful, please share with your social network or Pilates peers!

Blog Written by Moss Pilates London @Polestarpilatesuk

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Educator Highlight : Ada Wells DPT, NCPT

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Ada Wells, DPT, NCPT, is an expert in rotational sports performance and specializes in the use of movement and Pilates based exercise for golf rehabilitation. She is a Level 3 Certified Golf Medical Professional through the Titleist Performance Institute (TPI), a Certified Pilates Teacher through the Pilates Method Alliance (PMA), and an educator for Polestar Pilates International. In addition to owning and operating the ProBalance physical therapy and Pilates center in Alameda, CA, Ada has been a primary contributor to the Celebrity Wellness Team for the nationally televised American Century Golf Championship since 2003 and has been a member of the Wellness Team at the US Open Golf Championships since 2012. Ada has also participated as a guest instructor on the Athletic Training Channel of Balanced Body® Podcasts and for Pilates on Tour®, and established and currently manages the leading LinkedIn discussion groups of Pilates for Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation (11,700+ members) and Pilates for Sports Conditioning and Athletic Performance (7,700+ Members). Ada received degrees from the University of California at Davis (BS, 1993, with Honors) and Chapman University (MPT, 1995,Co-Summa Cum Laude). She received her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Temple University December 2015. Ada lives in Alameda, CA with her husband, Stefan, her daughter, Anika, and dog, Dotty. When not in the studio, Ada enjoys sailing, sea kayaking, adventure travel, golf, and running.Ada hosts our Comprehensive Pilates Teacher Training in Alameda, CA.

Polestar: What do you love about teaching?

AW: I love to watch the lightbulb moments with my students, patients, and clients when they realize that they’ve been getting through life ok, but when another door of possibility opens up through movement, they’re blown away by their own potential.

Polestar: Who are your current inspirations?

AW: I am totally inspired by people who beat the odds and do things that aren’t supposed to be possible.  In particular, I am drawn towards senior athletes.  Many of them didn’t decide to become athletes until well into their second half of life and they thrived beyond expectations.

Polestar: Why Pilates?  

AW: I discovered Pilates, and Polestar Pilates in particular, through a colleague in the late 90’s.  When she described what she was learning, it just made sense.  It was not just teaching exercise, it was experiencing movement…big difference.  I think Joseph Pilates was brilliant in the invention of the apparatus which is so versatile in the rehab environment.  As a physical therapist, I appreciate that one exercise on one piece of equipment can be set up in a way that is assistive for one person who may need it, but can be challenging for even an elite athlete if set up just slightly different.  In essence, he made his method of movement accessible to all, and there’s something very powerful about that.

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

AW: I want my students to realize that there are layers and layers to moving and feeling good.  I want them to realize that the mind-body connection isn’t just a bunch of “woo-woo” but that it’s deeply rooted in neuroscience, and my job is to help future Pilates teachers understand how we can harness that science into something that creates a lasting result for our clients and patients.

Polestar: Where would you love to vacation? 

AW: I LOVE traveling and am even working on integrating that passion into what I am doing via a “Life Meets Health and Travel” show on YouTube that will be set primarily in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico…one of my favorite spots in the world.  If people, particularly those in the second half of their life, can see themselves experiencing adventures, then they’ll be motivated to continue to be more proactive in their own health so they can continue to truly live life to the fullest.

Polestar: What is your favorite quote?   

AW: “What got you here, won’t get you there,” by Marshall Goldsmith.  This quote kind of hits people in the gut.  They think they have all the answers, they are resistant to paying for your services or going through more training,  and have all sorts of objections until you pose this question.  Doing more of the same is going to produce where you’re at, not where you want to be.  In order to go from point A to point B, you need to see yourself at point B and start realizing what that point B person did differently than the point A person.  That is there where the magic happens.

Polestar: What is your favorite apparatus?  

AW: I LOVE the trapeze table.  I feel like this piece has everything that a physical therapist could dream of…it’s like having an extra pair of arms so that you can see and challenge people in a more comprehensive way.  When you add an Oov, things get really interesting!

Polestar: What are you learning about?  

AW: I love learning about what motivates us and persuades us to do what we do.  It is such a valuable tool because so much of our own limitations are more tied up in our brains than our bodies.  If you can free up those limiting beliefs that people are holding on to, you start seeing how that can translate into producing positive results through productive behaviors that support who they truly are.

You can find Ada at probalancetv and on Facebook at ProBalance Pilates YouTube , and on Instagram @ProBalanceTV .  You can connect with Ada via LinkedIn.

Educator Highlight: Nichole Anderson, NCPT

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Polestar Educator Nichole Anderson has been teaching for 10 years. Her first comprehensive was with Bob Schroedter and Cynthia McGee LaPortilla in 2004. Nichole began as a Polestar Mentor under Educators Amy Broekemeier and Dannielle Holder in Salt Lake City, Utah where she taught group and private Pilates from 2010 – 2016. She has assisted Transition courses with Shelly Power and led her first Comprehensive in Miami 2018. Nichole is the assistant director of education for Polestar Pilates International and manages domestic education in the United States.

NA: I have recently been interested in visiting doing a tour of Norway. After getting into Norse mythology, I have been interested in seeing the landscape of the myths.

Polestar: What are your current inspirations?

NA: I am currently inspired by how magnificent and adapting our bodies are. The more I see and experience movement, the more I realize how infinitely capable our bodies are of anything and everything. Gone are the days of seeing people through the lens of their physical limitations, and I am excited to be a part of a movement that encourages people to move. I just finished a Yoga teacher training with Heather Seagraves which has served as another inspiration to my movement practice and teaching.

Polestar: What are you reading?

NA: I am always reading about 7 books at a time. Among them, I have been reading The Modern Herbal Dispensatory: A Medicine-Making Guide by Steven H. Horne and Thomas Easley, After the Ecstasy, the Laundry by Jack Kornfield, and Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman. I can also always be found with a mystery novel for rainy days and airplane rides.

Polestar: What is your favorite Quote?

NA: One of my current favorites (poem) is “And For No Reason” By Hafiz… (Look it up!)

Polestar: What do you love about teaching?

NA: I love seeing people have that “aha” moment in their bodies. The moment when they realize they are in control of how they feel and move. When they take ownership of their movement and from that, open up into creativity with their bodies.

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

NA: I hope to convey that each person is the greatest authority of their body. I hope that students can feel empowered through listening and observing their bodies. Through this they can make decisions one where they can move safely with the most ease and freedom.

Polestar: Describe your movement style?

NA: I would describe my movement style as improvisational and imaginative. I like to include imagery and improvisation into my movement and I enjoy creating a space for people to improvise in their own bodies based off of images they create or images that are suggested. It is always impressive to see what movement comes out of it

Polestar: What is your favorite apparatus?

NA: My favorite apparatus is always shifting and changing. My current favorite apparatus is the trapeze table. I like the stability of the table combined with the freedom of being directly attached to the springs – how you can move your limbs independently from a pulley system (like the reformer).

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You can find Nichole on Instagram @nicholemoves