The STOTT PILATES Principles form the foundation of the STOTT PILATES Movement System and provide the initial framework for programming. These concepts, when applied appropriately and strategically, will facilitate awareness and ensure optimal alignment as well as appropriate engagement of required muscles in clients.

For the instructor, these Principles act as a reference tool that can be continually utilized when systematically evaluating and correcting static and dynamic alignment through any and all movement sequences. In each case, we'll examine what the Principle is, why it is important within a programming context, and how we can use movement to reinforce and integrate it into the system as a whole.

This workshop, created by the Merrithew programming team, presents the Principles and shows how they are related to movement patterns crucial to optimal function and discusses their application to any type of activity as a platform for instructors at any level.

Learning objectives

1. Discover how the STOTT PILATES Principles form the foundation for any type of movement programming.

2. Experience movements that illustrate the what, why and how of each Principle.

3. Learn how the individual Principles support and facilitate movement patterns crucial for functional activity for all clients.

4. Explore how the Principles have been evolved based on current scientific research in movement and exercise physiology.

Workshop details

CECs

Clients with specific postural issues require specialized programming to effectively realign the skeleton and re-balance muscles.

This lecture / demo, developed by the Merrithew® team, reviews exercises from the Essential Reformer repertoire and explores how these movements can be modified for each individual. Specific postural habits are discussed with particular focus paid to muscular imbalances associated with aspects of the following postures: kyphosis-lordosis, sway back and flat back. How to recognize and target lengthened, weak, shortened or tight muscles due to postural habits, what exercises to select and appropriate cues and modifications are also examined.

Learning objectives

1. Recognize basic postural characteristics and identify muscular imbalances present in each

2. Understand how selected STOTT PILATES® Reformer exercises target specific muscle groups to begin rebalancing them

3. Understand how specific modifications increase effectiveness and safety for individual clients

4. Learn how the STOTT PILATES Principles serve as the foundation for correcting postural imbalances

Workshop details

CECs