December 2011 Newsletter

We wish you the brightest of holidays this year and we extend our gratitude for your participation in our Houston Pilates community! Enjoy our December newsletter which features articles by founder and former President of PHA Shannon Anderson and current Vice President Cody Robbins.

We are sad to learn of the passing of Ron Fletcher this past week. For more information on his contributions to Pilates, read here.

http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-ron-fletcher-20111211,0,2607739.story



PMA Conference Recap November 2011

by Shannon Anderson, PMA®-CPT

 

           Two days before Joseph Pilates died, Bruce Steel went to visit Joe in the hospital.  During that visit, Joe made the comment that one day “all the world will practice my method”.[i]  As Pilates teachers from 28 countries gathered this past November in Palm Desert, California for the 11^th Annual Meeting of the Pilates Method Alliance (PMA), Joe’s words seem almost prophetically true.

            This was a special conference as PMA enters its second decade.  Looking back, PMA has already accomplished much with the creation of the PMA exam. There is also much to look forward to in the next decade with the development of local PMA chapters and outreach programs to children and military families. 

Some of the hot topics in the Pilates industry came up at the conference. 

At one meeting, the possibility of state regulation on teacher training schools predominated the discussion between panelists and the audience.  In addition, “Safe Spine Teaching Technique” (SSTT) developed by Rebecca Leone has been presented and is being considered by the PMA.

            With nearly 50 presenters from various backgrounds, these leaders continue to expand the body of knowledge and research.  Equipment manufacturers refine, create and innovate.  Pilates Style Magazine and Pilates Anytime were both shooting at the conference.  Also featured one evening was the documentary, “Eve Gentry: The Power of Pilates”, the first in an ambitious historical video project by Marion Kessel.

            The PMA provides a platform where various lineages, techniques and styles within the Pilates community find common ground.  PMA is an international Professional Association for Pilates teachers.  PMA is also a certifying agency.  

The First Decade: The Journey Begins

             During PMA’s first decade, one of the organizations major accomplishments was the creation of the PMA exam.  To provide background, in 2000 the United States District Court declared Pilates a “generic” name. [ii]  While this was wonderful news to legitimate Pilates teachers around the country that could not use the name “Pilates” without paying imposing fees, this decision also opened the door to anyone to put a shingle on his business saying “Pilates” even if they just had a weekend of teacher training.  All of this occurred as Pilates was becoming mainstream, so public safety was of concern to the PMA from the very beginning.

            As PMA was developing, the organization did all it could to address this issue.  CASTLE Worldwide, a professional testing company, was hired to create “the only psychometrically validated, third party professional certification exam in the Pilates field”.[iii]  CASTLE did a role delineation (job analysis) study in three phases.  In the first phase, 10 experts in the Pilates field from a variety of backgrounds served on a panel.  The panel came up with three domains (Assessment, Teaching and Reassessment) and knowledge and skills necessary to perform successfully in each area.  From working with the panel, CASTLE was able to create a survey.  In the second phase, the survey was sent out nationally.  This representative sample was to test and see if what the panel had determined was valid.  Based on the ratings from the survey, the exam specifications were set which was the third and final phase in the role delineation study. [iv]

The PMA exam is not respective to any particular school or style of Pilates but is a common denominator for the Pilates professional. The PMA is doing all it can to establish Pilates as its own profession, not a side category lumped into fitness or physical therapy.  PMA is helping Pilates teachers distinguish their profession and the agency is assisting the public in finding safe, qualified teachers.  The creation of the PMA exam in the first few years of the organization was a huge step forward for the Pilates community.

Show me the $

While PMA offers a study guide for the exam, CASTLE actually handles the testing and exam fees.  Pundits of the PMA often make the point that “they’re just getting rich”.  It is important to note that PMA is a “not-for-profit” organization. PMA is not privately owned and does not have shareholders.  Those that serve on the boards volunteer their time and expertise.  Any surplus must be reinvested in PMA programs.

            PMA has held “not-for-profit” status since 2001 when it was formed.  If the PMA were to misappropriate funds, heavy fines from the IRS and the State of Florida (where PMA is incorporated) would be charged and the organization would lose the ‘not-for-profit’ status.  Part of the responsibility of a ‘not-for-profit’ is to be financially transparent.[v]  Copies of PMA’s tax returns are available upon request.

The Next Decade: The Future of Pilates

            The 2011 PMA conference was the perfect opportunity to look at the future of the Pilates profession.  As PMA enters its second decade, on the horizon are local chapters and programs for youth and military families.  The profession continues to become more defined as schools look at state regulations and the industry applies “Safe Spine Teaching Technique”.  The presenters at the conference were some of the best in the industry and they brought the most current research.  The latest equipment innovations rock - literally.  Online and in print more is available on Pilates than there has ever been before.  With videos abounding and historical documentaries developing, the future of Pilates is boundless.

PMA Chapters

            One of the top goals of the PMA is the development of local chapters.  The Pilates Houston Association (PHA) is ahead on this front.  In 2008, before there was such a thing as a PMA Chapter, Houstonian Melody Morton had the idea of creating a local network for Pilates instructors.  Laura Phillips-Hampton implemented the idea and she served as the Associations’ first President.  The PHA has inspired the development of the Pilates Central Texas Alliance, a sister organization in Austin. 

            The first official PMA chapter began in 2010 in neighboring Louisiana. Since the PHA already has a structure in place and essentially serves the purpose of a Chapter, talks are underway with the PMA.  There is a possibility PHA could keep what it has already in place and join forces with the PMA. 

Pilates Youth Program

            Clients so often make the comment about Pilates, “I wish someone had told me about this when I was younger.” How great it would be to learn about posture and how to access the core musculature and help develop it from a young age, especially children in this inactive technologically driven generation.  Taking a cue from Joseph Pilates' book “Your Health” and his chapter on educating children, PMA is carrying this vision forward. 

Originally called “Pilates In The Schools” (yes, PITS), this important goal of the PMA has been renamed “Pilates Youth Program”.  This is not only a change in names but also reflects a change in approach.  Rather than trying to force Pilates into under-funded schools, the vision has been expanded to include after school programs, summer programs and church youth programs.  While still wanting to have an influence in physical education in the schools, PMA is no longer logistically limited to one area and the red tape it involves.  Now the original goal of reaching people at a young age is more accessible. 

Joining Forces

            Fitness professionals are becoming a part of a program called “Joining Forces”.  PMA is also promoting this effort.  Pilates teachers have the opportunity to serve military members and their immediate families by volunteering free sessions or classes.

            Locally, Sarah Marquez is trying to coordinate volunteer outreach.  To get involved in either the Pilates Youth or Joining Forces Programs, please contact Sarah at smarquez@pilateshouston.com

 

Teacher Training:

Results from Summit~

            In May 2011, PMA held its second teacher training summit.  The results from that meeting were shared at the conference.  They found from a survey earlier in 2011 that there is high congruence between what is outlined in the role delineation and what teacher training programs are teaching. A second survey with more precise questions will be sent out to a larger number of teacher training schools.  The objective is to clarify some gray areas, specifically in regards to how various schools handle observation, periodic assessment, self-practice and special populations.

Licensure~

            Since there have been some crack downs on yoga schools, the Pilates industry is beginning to suspect it may not be long until they are scrutinized as well.  Marissa Lins from the Midwest Pilates Institute shared on a panel at the conference how in 2009 Yoga schools in Wisconsin were required to be licensed or shut down.  At the time, she spoke with the state and they said they were not planning on doing the same to Pilates schools.  Still Marissa did not feel reassured and proactively pursued state licensure anyway.  As it turns out, a few years later licensure was required for Pilates schools in Wisconsin, and Marissa was grateful she pursued it early.

            It is important to note that states are not concerned with the technicalities of how Pilates, Yoga, or other methods are taught.  What they are concerned about is public safety and ethical business practices.  For example, if a senior walked in with a prescription from his doctor, the teacher wouldn’t give him an exercise that would be contraindicated and cause serious harm.   Or let’s say someone signs up for Pilates teacher training and then suddenly falls seriously ill.  Are there procedures in place for a refund?  Are students being defrauded in any way?  That is the type of public safety and business considerations with which the states are concerned.  The stylistic differences and approaches within the Pilates (and Yoga) community are not what the states are trying to legislate.  In fact, the how of teaching the various methods is something the states would probably as soon avoid.

            With the PMA exam, the Pilates community already has a standard in place.  States would not need to try to legislate the technicalities of Pilates.  The industry has voluntarily set its own compentency perimeters.

            While Pilates schools are not yet required to be licensed in all states, vocational schools are required to licensed.  Any school that is receiving funds in exchange for training to provide someone a vocation, be it a Pilates Teacher, Yoga Instructor, car mechanic or plumber, is required to be licensed in the state. Whether it is called an Academy, Institute, University or something else, if it is operating as a vocational school, then it should be state licensed. 

            A lot of Pilates (and Yoga) schools have gotten by operating under the radar.  If a school is not licensed with the state, technically they are operating illegally since they are providing a vocation.[vi]  Though the states may not have spelled it out for Mind/Body schools yet, it may just be a matter of time. 

Safe Spine Teaching Technique (SSTT)

            After the article, “Is Your Ab Workout Hurting Your Back?” appeared in the New York Times in 2009, there has been a stir in the Pilates industry.  Rebecca Leone is tackling this area of concern.  Ms. Leone has developed something she calls “Safe Spine Teaching Technique” (SSTT).  While most schools have “Anatomy of Movement” by Blandine Calais-Germain as required reading, Ms. Leone has made a proposal to the PMA to make sure these safe spinal techniques are being applied.  As it is time for the PMA to revises the content of the exam (which happens every 5-7 years), SSTT will hopefully be included in updated versions.  In the coming months, Ms. Leone will be interviewing the highly regarded Professor Stuart McGill who was cited in the NY Times article.  This unfolding story is certainly one to watch.  For more information, please see “Safe Spine Teaching Technique/Why & How”.  



Equipment: Rockin’ Reformer

            From Peak Pilates to ToeSox, there were over 40 exhibitors at the conference.  Certainly the most eye-catching new piece of equipment was the “Reformer Rocker” by Balanced Body.  It is an attachment to the bottom of a regular studio reformer that causes it to rock.  To get a visual check out the website.

Videos

            While various programs and teachers were selling videos at the conference, Pilates Anytime probably leads the pack.  Having online videos of classes from top teachers, Pilates Anytime lives up to its name.  A few months before the conference,  Pilates Style Magazine in a joint venture with Pilates Anytime held a contest.  The winner was Zayna Gold from Boston, who shot a video for Pilates Anytime while at the conference, and will have a workout story in an upcoming issue of Pilates Style.

            In addition, an important video project by Marion Kessel is underway.  She has been on a mission to create historical documentaries on all the elders.  In 2007 with the help of Michele Larsson, Marion premiered “Eve Gentry: The Power of Pilates.”  This video is one of the most powerful and moving documentaries on Pilates available.  The PMA conference had their first movie night and featured this video. To order a copy of the documentary, please visit Core Dynamics.

            Marion’s next project is a documentary on Mary Bowen.  She has been working on this for a few years and even has some video from Mary’s 2010 workshop in Houston.  Hopefully, it will make the cut!

            To produce quality documentaries, to capture the elders on video and go through old, often damaged black & white videos, to bring them up to speed with today’s technology and to preserve them for future generations is quite an undertaking.  If you would like to contribute to this project, Marion would love to hear from you at artsalive@pdq.net.

Matapalooza

           The last session of the conference was celebrated with an en masse mat

class.  In an hour and a half, six teachers taught hundreds of participants.  The teachers were Deborah Lessen, Jillian Hessel, Nora St. John, Rael Isacowitz, Brent Anderson and Michele Larsson.  They each had 15 minutes to teach their assigned segments of the classical mat.

Vegas 2012

Plans are already underway for the conference next year, November 7-10, at Bally’s Las Vegas, NV.  There is a possibility that two years from now, 2013, the conference will be held internationally for the first time in Madrid.  Locations are currently being researched.  Joseph Pilates' dream of his method being practiced around the world continues to grow and dedicated professionals continue to preserve that legacy.



INTERVIEW WITH MARY BANGE

by Cody Robbins

Mary Bange is a PEAK certified Pilates Instructor with a specialty in working with Breast Cancer Survivors, and is a Master Trainer for the Pink Ribbon Program in the Houston area. I became a fan of Mary after subbing at the Pilates Studio of Friendswood and working with one of her Pink Ribbon Program success stories. After speaking with Mary, I've learned that more people going through treatment and surgery for breast cancer need to know about the Pink Ribbon Program, and that it exists in their communities.

Q: How did you get involved with the Pink Ribbon Program?

A: When I was getting certified to teach Pilates in 2006 I became aware of the Pink Ribbon Program. Founder Doreen Puglisi had just begun to certify others to teach the program, so I went to New York to Get trained by Doreen and started working with breast cancer survivors shortly after that.

Q: How did the Pink Ribbon Program come about?

A: Doreen had a studio in New Jersey and noticed that quite a few breast cancer survivors had come into her studio, and that following their treatment or surgery, they were prescribed no rehabilitation or exercise program. They were basically told to "go and do it" or maybe given a sheet of paper with one exercise on it that they should do. Doreen developed a program to work with those clients and then she discovered that she had breast cancer herself.   She had a mastectomy and implant reconstruction and then used her program to regain strength and range of motion. What I really like about this program is that it was developed by, and lived by a breast cancer survivor.   Based on her own experience Doreen perfected her 4 phase program that is now the very successful Pink Ribbon Program.

Q: Where is the Pink Ribbon Program here in Houston?

A: The Pink Ribbon Program is available among certified instructors at their individual studios.

Q: So if I had the training, I could be a Pink Ribbon "Provider" in my Sugar Land studio?

A: Exactly!

Q: How do I get the training?

A: There needs to be a facility that wants to host the workshop. They would have to contact the Pink Ribbon Program and set a date to host the workshop.

Q: What is the goal of the Pink Ribbon Program?

A: To help breast cancer survivors regain strength and range of motion, and at the end of the 6-week program to graduate them to a mainstream exercise program.

Q: So after their 6-weeks with you in the Pink Ribbon Program, you could then refer them to other Pilates instructors or other exercise programs?

A: My goal...for example...Many women who come into the program cannot do a lateral raise any higher than their shoulder so I work to get them all the way to 180 degrees of movement but if I can't get them there, I can increase some of it. At the end of the program, I give them guidelines on how to modify as they need to going into any exercise program.

Q: How do breast cancer survivors and those going through treatment learn about the Pink Ribbon Program?

A: They are usually self motivated and find my website. I am currently teaching a class of breast cancer survivors at Memorial Herman, Memorial City...with a new class on Tuesdays. The great thing about it is that the class is provided at no charge to their patients. I also have a referral system with other cancer treatment facilities in town...but it's been me approaching them about it and selling them on what a good option the Pink Ribbon Program is for their patients.

Q: Do breast cancer survivors get a special rate through the Pink Ribbon Program?

A: I offer a 50% discount to my regular rate. At my certification workshops people want to look at this as a "premium ". What they have to remember is that the time this program is most valuable to the client is when they are actually receiving their bills, co-pays etc. If you charge your normal Pilates rate, you're probably going to price most of them out..

Q: What other areas do you specialize in?

A: Pilates for Golf, I'm TRX certified, and a Master Trainer with the Pink Ribbon Program.

More information about Mary:

 Pink Ribbon Program Master Trainer

 Breast Cancer Exercise Specialist

 Golf Conditioning Specialist

maryb@fastmail.fm 

 www.marybange.com 

September 2011 Newsletter

June 2011 Newsletter

January 2011 Newsletter

August 2010 Newsletter

May 2010 Newsletter

January 2010 Newsletter

Past archive photographic images will be coming back to each archive article as soon as possible!