Polestar Pilates

Meet Kristin Loeer: Polestar Pilates Mentor

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

KL: I love teaching Pilates because I believe that Pilates can be practiced, used, and taught in many different ways. It allows us to truly explore and express who we are in our work as teachers. Equally, it allows us to really honor and support the individual, precious person in achieving their goals. I believe in acknowledging and respecting the individuality of each of my clients, including their limitations, fears, abilities, and ambitions, without judgment.

Rather than being some kind of exercise perception the client needs to mold themselves to, Pilates allows me to always be flexible in how I choose to support and help my client. It really can be an art form of communication and discovery of oneself through the body. I was already a mat Pilates teacher and body worker when I decided to undertake Polestar Pilates Comprehensive Studio Practitioner training with Polestar Pilates UK. Liz Bussey and Diane Nye were amazing educators.

They demonstrated two very different ways of teaching. It made clear to me that it is possible to integrate my existing knowledge, skills, and also my unique personality and passions into my movement work. They both encouraged me to really explore who I want to be as a movement professional and how I want to work with people.

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

KL: For some time now I’ve worked with a focus on the nervous system in movement. I have undergone further training in applied neuroscience and NLP coaching.  Currently, I am undergoing long-term training in Somatic Experiencing, which is a method of trauma resolution through the felt sense and the autonomic nervous system (the part that deals with fight or flight and restoration and learning).  When it comes to rehabilitation and movement practices we often are focused on muscle, bone, or fascia.

However, our nervous system has a huge impact on our soft tissue health and our general ability to heal, learn and move. On the other hand, we know that movement itself can have powerful healing effects for people who suffer from stress, depression, and other mental health problems. So for me teaching Pilates with an understanding of how the nervous system works and how movement and the nervous system are affected by one another is absolutely fascinating and powerful.

Why Pilates?  How did you find the practice?

KL: I first came across Pilates, back in my mid-twenties. I experienced episodes of very low energy and frequent migraines due to hormonal fluctuations and a thyroid disorder. I used to go to the gym, but when I had spells of low energy, going to the gym was rather depressing, as I was just confronted with my sudden decline in endurance and strength. I then would stop going altogether, which didn’t help my overall well-being.

It was hard to keep motivating myself to exercise, having my progress constantly interrupted by not feeling well. I started looking for a form of exercise that I enjoyed and that would be forgiving of my frequent lack of energy. I started exploring various dance classes at the national center for dance in Edinburgh, where I lived at the time. Here I came across Pilates for the first time.

I liked Pilates because it was not centered around physically pushing myself all the time, which I could not do when I was on low energy. Pilates allowed me to continue practicing and engaging with my body when I was having a low energy week; there was still lots to explore and to work on. I could simply focus on smaller movements and exercises and deepen my practice and understanding of them.

I even found that after a week of really exploring a more simple movement, the more difficult ones would become easier. My low-energy spells began to feel less like an interruption and inconvenience in my life. Pilates allowed me to work with my low energy, rather than letting it stop me from living my life. I believe that this was a really important discovery that has informed my life ever since.

What do you hope to convey in your teaching?

KL: In our modern society we deal with an awful lot of self-criticism. We beat ourselves up about all sorts of things. We allow others to tell us what is good or bad for us and what to do and what not to do. We are used to putting ourselves down and ignoring our own needs. We work the hours we are expected to, regardless of how tired, stressed, and run down we are. We deny ourselves foods we crave because we are on diets. We hold emotions for the sake of peace in our relationships. We shut down communication with our own body because that is expected of us. We are expected to become more and more durable and capable, no matter what. That is the culture we live in and it is not sustainable. I believe that Pilates can play a huge role in fighting this.

“What is most important to me in my work is to empower people to reconnect with their bodies, acknowledge and respect their own individual needs without judgement, take responsibility for their own well being and take action.”

In essence, for me Pilates is about truly getting to know yourself through movement, becoming appreciative of yourself, and learning how to live life in a way that really works for you. This can be so empowering, as we then can potentially experience things we did not think possible.

Where would you love to vacation?

KL: My family lives in Germany, where I grew up, so I like to spend my vacations there with them. I also used to live in Scotland for 15 years. It became a second home and I miss it and my friends a lot. So any holiday I do not spend with family back in Germany I will use to go to Scotland. There are many amazing places in the world that would be magical to see and I find seeing my family and friends, and the wonderful places that hold so many memories for me, are way more important to me.

What is your favorite quote?  How do you embody this?

“Movement never lies. It is a barometer telling the state of the soul’s weather to all who can read it.” – Martha Graham

KL: Martha Graham said “Movement never lies. It is a barometer telling the state of the soul’s weather to all who can read it.” We know this is true when we look at the posture of a sad person, next to that of a happy person. I think it is important to bear this in mind when we work with movement. In Pilates, we can get very caught up in anatomy, by looking at spinal articulation or head, neck, and shoulder organization and things like that. Those things are important for quality movement and we can work with them directly.

However, it is very wise to keep in mind that there are many reasons why a person moves or holds themselves the way they do. Axial elongation, core control, and breathing are qualities that are hard to find when we feel bad, regardless of how well we understand the technicalities of movement. The body is expressing itself. Our body language makes up more than half of our communication with others. When we work on changing someone’s posture or movement patterns this understanding should somewhat inform our practice.

Describe your movement style.

KL: When it comes to my own movement practice I like to think of movement as something very natural and animal-like. I seek quality, ease, and efficiency in my movements through a sense of connection with myself, my surroundings, and gravity. I particularly enjoy inversion and suspension exercises, as they tend to provide a very different experience of gravity and us in space, which can be enriching in many ways. I particularly enjoy exploring this in aerial circus arts, as there is plenty of opportunity for this kind of movement experience.

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

KL: I always loved the trapeze table the most. I like that there is a very defined space in which I can move between the table and the frame. It allows me to ground myself very comfortably on the padded table if that is what I need. However, if I seek adventure I can suspend myself upside down from the frame and climb around it like a monkey. It offers some fantastic repertoire, but also allows space for creativity.

How does Pilates inform your profession?

KL: I practice Pilates several days a week, which I believe does not only set a good example for my clients but also helps me stay actively able to support my clients during their sessions.

Check out Kristin’s website KristinLoeer.com and facebook page@KristinLoeerMovementTherapy

Learn about Pilates Classes and Teacher Training in the UK at MossPilates.com and Polestar Pilates UK

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

Is Your Posture Working for You?

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I love working with clients and getting their posture in alignment at my Brookvale Pilates Studio. When I’m driving around the Northern Beaches, I find myself looking at other drivers and their posture. This makes me think about all the good we do during their Pilates sessions, only for them to then get into their car or sit at their work desks. So it’s great to give clients good tips that they can take into their everyday lives. This is one of my favorites as it affects nearly everyone and is a very easy habit to implement and change for the better. 

If you are driving to commute to work or on a day trip, you may find that you have a sore neck or headache by the time you get to your destination, and it’s not just because of the traffic.

This is mainly because our posture is at a disadvantage. Most people have seats that are leaning backwards, causing slumped spines with a tucked pelvis. This changes the alignment of our head, making our neck poke forward, and putting strain on the muscles and nerves to hold the weight of the head in front of our center of gravity. Did you know that the human head weighs about 5-6kgs. That’s a lot of weight reaching forward and pulling on your neck and spine. Some people also have their seats either too far away or too close to the steering wheel, which can cause poor circulation and fatigue.

So follow these tips and arrive at your destination more upright and smiling. At every red traffic light you should check-in with your posture – I put a post-it note on my steering wheel for 3 weeks to set the habit:

  • Firstly make sure your seat is upright – about 90-100 degrees, not leaning back too much
  • Pelvis should be back against the seat, not tucked under
  • Legs should have a soft bend at the knees, not locked out reaching nor fully bent causing cramping at the hips
  • You should be able to control the foot pedals by moving the foot and lower leg easily
  • Arms should have a soft bend in the elbows and directly in front of your armpits
  • Head is against the head rest, not poking forward
  • Steering wheel is at a height you can easily see over and that your arms can rotate the wheel without using your chest muscles

We are lucky these days that most of the cars we drive have great ergonomics so they are very easily adjustable. So take the time to setup your seat and wheel to suit your dimensions.

Enjoy the ride!

By Catherine Giannitto – Polestar Licensee and Educator for Polestar Pilates Australia

Educator Highlight : Angela Crowley

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Polestar: What do you love about your profession?

AC: Every day and every session is a new intriguing and fascinating challenge with rewarding results. 

Polestar: What excites your thinking and inspires your day?

AC: The limitless possibilities of the human nervous system and beautiful powerful musical movement. I am honored by each person who walks through the door. 

Polestar: Can you describe the path which developed your professional perspective?

AC: As a  former gymnast and dancer, I always expected to have control over my body. A serious car accident took that control away.  I lost fine motor use in my right hand and if I sat for an hour my right leg fell asleep. Traditional approaches including hospitalization in traction and intensive physical therapy didn’t lead to much progress or hope. I was told to learn to write with the other hand and that I would not be able to dance or do things like running or skiing again. I didn’t believe it. A pivotal moment was when I met a Naturopathic doctor Mark Manton who changed my life and is one of my mentors to this day. He applied and educated me in a holistic approach which included diet, acupuncture, neuromuscular therapy, osteopathy, meditation and movement re-education through Feldenkrais then Pilates. I became a massage and movement therapist integrating Pilates.

When I embarked upon a four year education to become a Feldenkrais Practitioner, I began yearning for an exercise system that would match the organic organization of systemic movement in the Feldenkrais system. I wanted access to greater freedom of the trunk and spine. That is when I discovered the GYROTONIC® system. Gyrotonic movements begin from the inside out, starting with breath and spinal movement which expand into full body movement. Different from any other system I know, the diverse and multiple pieces of equipment can support and challenge the needs of anyone from rehabilitation to training of high level athletes. Similar to Feldenkrais the movement is fluid, efficient and diversifies around all planes of motion and relationships with gravity. To this day my private practice focuses on the use of manual therapy, movement reeducation using the Feldenkrais Method and the GYROTONIC® Method. Furthermore, I enjoy being an educator of teachers in these fields and interfacing with the Pilates community. 

Polestar: Do you have any favorite quotes to share?

AC: “What I am after isn’t flexible bodies, but flexible brains.” — Moshe Feldekrais D. Sc.

“It is the moment between intention and action where there is choice and possibility.” — Moshe Feldenkrais D.Sc.

“Breath is Movement and Movement is Breath” — Juliu Horvath, creator of the GYROTONIC® System  

Polestar: What is your favorite piece of equipment?

AC: The human nervous system.  

Polestar: What are a couple of your favorite reads?

AC: The Brain’s Way Of Healing by Norman Doidge; Art & Physics: Parallel Visions In Space, Time, and Light by Leonard Shlain 

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

AC: My goal is to educate and empower clients with the ability to feel better through their own movement. I hope for them to experience a renewed sense of freedom and well being in their bodies and in their lives. 

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

AC: I hope for teachers to gain a theoretical understanding that empowers the paradigm of their thinking and creativity to refresh their teaching. 

Polestar: Tell us about your current course, Neuroplasticity: An Exploration Through Movement.

AC: This course is a culmination of my life’s work and studies. There is currently a revelation in the way science understands the brain and nervous system. New information, research, publications and podcasts become available daily. Leading researchers have given recognition that certain approaches to movement can amplify the plasticity of the brain. In other words, as somatic practitioners we have the opportunity to influence lives far beyond strength and flexibility. For example, we can create opportunities to influence the way people respond to stress, sleep and enhance their creativity. Leading scientists today recognize Moshe Feldenkrais as a pioneering Neuroplastition 60 years ahead of current science. He understood how to use movement to communicate with the brain. Science is just now catching up with him. In this highly experiential course, I shed light on this relationship between movement and neuroplasticity through lecture, movement experiences within oneself and applications through labs and discussion. 

Polestar: What do you hope participants experience in your course?

AC: We can only teach what we understand, so the experiential portion of the course shifts one’s approach to teaching exercise and enriches the depth of results. 

Polestar: What do you hope participants take away from your course?

AC: Participants will gain tangible strategies to implement into their lives and practice as well as a wealth of resources. 

Polestar: Who should take this course?

AC: This course is for anyone who would like to delve into the fascinating relationships between movement and the mind. It is for any healthcare practitioner who is curious and open to refresh their perception of movement in our lives.

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If It’s Available…

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In any movement practice that you teach, you will encounter students of all levels and ability. The Pilates industry caters to many different class settings, environments, and sizes. I used to teach group mat classes that had both seasoned movers and an elderly lady that could not get on the floor without assistance. Currently I teach mostly semi privates; the differences in any two bodies, even roughly at the same level, are vast. How is an instructor supposed to handle these differences? How are we supposed to keep our clients safe and still meet their goals? How can we teach the same class to so many different bodies? Here is a way you can make make multi–level classes work.
 I have a magic phrase that I use multiple times a day: “…if it’s available.”
When I am cueing through an exercise and need to make it more challenging for one student but not the other I use these words. It does a couple of things for me. First of all, it makes the client have to take initiative in their own practice. They can choose separately if the next level is in fact available to them or not. Secondly, I’m not drawing attention to them by saying, “you on the right do this, and you on the left do that.“ Thirdly, I am often shocked who chooses the harder way. Several instances come to mind when my “lower level” client executes the progression seamlessly and with ease and grace. It’s an awesome surprise and it makes me rethink how I initially looked at that person. On the other hand, the more “advanced” client sometimes chooses not to take the progression. Regardless of why, maybe they’re tired, don’t feel good or it‘s simply too hard for them, these clients don’t feel like they are regressing,  and instead are honoring what feels good for their body. 
 
Here is an example of how I use it. Let’s say we are doing thigh stretch on the tower. I have set up the exercise and we have done a few rounds and when one or all look clean and ready to progress, I say: “If it’s available to you, scoot two inches forward towards your tower. It will create less spring tension and you will have to rely on your body more to come up to tall kneeling. Or you can stay where you are and repeat.” Sometimes everyone moves, no one moves, or they try to move forward, see it’s not for them and move back to the original spot. Wording it this way creates an environment of choice and independence.
 
I didn’t realize I said this phrase so often until after class one day a new client came to talk to me at the end of a session. She told me that she appreciated my choice of words. This person had come from another studio and was always the one that the instructor verbally pointed out and made modifications for. It made her leave Pilates feeling disempowered and a little embarrassed, even though the other instructor was probably doing only what they thought was best. 
 
 Now don’t get me wrong, this doesn’t work in every situation and sometimes the clients choose the progression a little too early for their body. But it’s a good stepping stone to work with multi–level classes. Try it and see if it works for you, only if it‘s available!
Written By Polestar Graduate and Practitioner Becky Phares of Lafayette Louisiana.
Find Becky on Social Media: @the_body_initiative 
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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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