Monday, June 25, 2012

Setting the Pace for Women

I found this inspiring article about Kathrine Switzer, who was the first woman to run the Boston Marathon in 1967. She did it by entering with only her initials because women were not allowed to enter the race. It's amazing to think about the changes that have been made in women's sports in the last 50 years. I was born in 1978 not realizing how groundbreaking some women's accomplishments were considering recent history. It was just in 1972 that women were finally allowed to enter the Boston Marathon. I am so grateful to all the women before me who saw past the limits that had been put on women, and took a stand for women's rights, because I grew up believing that I could do anything I wanted to do. I never had the impression that certain things weren't possible for me as a woman, even though this wasn't always the case. Even today we are still dealing with disparages in equality between genders such as equal compensation in the workplace; I am so inspired by the strong women who are the catalyst for change to gender equality. Watch this video of Kathrine Switzer--you will be amazed by someone who tried to stop her mid-race, and inspired by those who kept her going, including herself!

June 23rd marks the 40th anniversary of Title IX -- the law that made all educational programs and activities available to both genders. The law has provided countless opportunities for women and girls in sports.

One outspoken athlete, Kathrine Switzer, has paved the way for women in sports across the country. In 1967, Switzer disguised her gender by entering the all-male Boston Marathon using her initials, making her the first woman to enter the race. While some runners were excited to see Switzer participate, one race director tried to take Switzer's numbers off her chest and throw her out of the race.

It was then that Switzer came to a realization: "If I don't finish this race, then everybody's gonna believe women can't do it and that they don't deserve to be here and that they're incapable," Switzer told AOL. "I've got to finish this race."

How long did it take Switzer to complete the race that not only changed her life, but impacted sports for women across the country? Four hours and 20 minutes. Watch the above video for more of Switzer's account of the Boston Marathon.

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Intensive Reformer Spring 2012

I had great time finishing up the third weekend of the STOTT PILATES Intensive Reformer course and thought I would share some pictures with all of you. This is one awesome group of "soon to be" Pilates Instructors.

For those of you who were in the course, you were all amazing and I am so excited to have you a part of the STOTT PILATES community. Thank you all for your effort and hard work throughout the entire course. Here are just a few pictures that show what awesome, attentive instructors you already are

I hope you are all studying hard and practicing all your new skills. See you all soon.

Jen and Jen doing The Hundred

Kristen teaching footwork

Tilly and Lisa learning some back rowing

Jen and Kristin teaching while Mel and Jen learn

Mel, Kristin, and Greta discussing something serious

Jen teaching Jen Round Back

Mel very serious about Front Rowing

Greta doing and teaching Back Rowing

I think they had the sunniest Reformer

Good Semi Circle Tilly!

Kristin and Great doing Straight Back

Lois doing Chest Expansion

Jen and Jen doing Reverse Expansion

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Preparing for your STOTT PILATES practical exam

Hi Everyone!

I thought I would start a new series of posts for all of you Students out there and that will hopefully help you along in your Pilates career. This is the first entry and I figured we should start at the beginning with some tips on how to prepare for your practical exam.

1. Prepare for the “nervousness”. One of the most difficult parts about the practical exam is that you will be nervous. Even if you feel prepared, you will be nervous and that can make it difficult to focus and perform at your best. Make sure you prepare for the nerves by teaching people that challenge you to be better or make you a little nervous J. This way when you are in your actual exam you will know what it feels like to be nervous and know how to rise above it.

2. Do several “rehearsals” of your exam without stopping. Treat it like it is your actual exam and do not look at your book until you finish the FULL 1 hour, 1.5 hours, or 2 hours. Keep a piece of paper and write down questions that pop up as you go and check them all after the “rehearsal”. You want to know what it feels like to get through the entire exam layout from beginning to end. Then when you do your actual exam it will be familiar territory.

3. Make your practice hours count. Observe teachers that inspire you. Teach as many different bodies as you can, practice the movement with your own body over and over and over so you know what 2 springs feels like and you know what 3 springs feel like in the same exercise. Adjusting for others becomes easier if you know what it feels like.

Ok, now some more obvious things you need to know:

4. Know your STOTT PILATES Basic Principles. Know the depth of them so that you feel confident that you can teach people to understand them AND integrate them into their body. Read the details in the front of your manual (regularly) and start teaching them to people just like you will do it in your exam.

5. Know how to do Postural Analysis. The PA is detailed and the best way to learn this is to work with people/instructors that know it well so that you feel confident you have it right. The more practice you having doing the PA the better you get at doing it, so do them as often as possible.

6. Know the exercises: I know this one seems obvious but here is how to organize it. Know the starting position (it will get you off to a good start), the breathing, the choreography, and how to modify it if you need to for your exam body.

7. Programming. One of the biggest reason STOTT PILATES requires a practical exam is to make sure you know how to program appropriately for many different bodies. That is one of the many ways STOTT PILATES instructors are unique and valuable to the community. We can program at all levels and for all types of people!

8. Do an exam review. If you are struggling to know where to start or just want to make sure you are on the right track let us know. We are happy to meet with you and get you or keep you moving in the right direction. That is truly what we are here for and we love our job working with you.

As the Licensed Training Center for your community, Intermountain Pilates Training is here to help your Pilates career be a success. Talese, Amanda, Mariko, Jaada, Jenna, and I are all here for you, so use us for everything you need!

Sorry this was a little long but hopefully it is helpful. I will try to make the next few a little shorter. HAPPY STUDYING!

Jenny

No Excuses: The Story of an Incredible Climb of Kilimanjaro

Need some inspiration today? Try this incredible story about Kyle Maynard climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro from the REI blog. I climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro as a healthy 25 year-old, and it is still the most difficult thing I've ever done. I continue to draw strength from the experience during difficult times. Does Kyle's story inspire you to take on any big challenges?

No Excuses: The Story of an Incredible Climb of Kilimanjaro

MON05MAR 2012

Posted by: T.D. Wood on 18 hours ago

Viewers of ESPN may have seen an Outside the Lines segment that aired Sunday on 25-year-old Kyle Maynard. If you missed it, it's worth watching.

Maynard was born with a rare condition known as congenital amputation, which truncated all 4 of Maynard's limbs. In an amazing overcoming-the-odds story, this Outside the Lines mini-documentary titled "No Excuses" tells the tale of Maynard's determination to climb 19,431-foot Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.

Like, wow. Maynard's story gets me thinking about taking on something big like a Kilimanjaro climb I've pondered for a long, long time. What affect did it have on you?