My first session looked at how Pilates can be used to rehabilitate clients. We discussed how pain (and the memory of pain) prevents people from optimising their recovery from injury or illness. As we age we take longer to recover so we looked at techniques to encourage good movement. I also attended a workshop delivered by Alan Herdman who opened the first Pilates studio in the UK. Alan was trained by the Pilates Elders who were a group of people taught by the great man himself. At 82 years of age, Alan is an inspiration who showed us how to observe clients, their bodies and the way they move. If he isn’t a good reason for taking up Pilates then I don’t know who is!! I finished the weekend doing a workshop with the Pilates Ring which was delivered by Maria Earle who was also trained by one of the Pilates Elders in the US. She had the whole room in stitches with her innovative approach to the classical mat exercises. My takeaway from the weekend is that movement is the best medicine as it unlocks your inner pharmacy. Whether it be the movement itself or the fact that you are moving with other people, it’s a great tonic!
