Happy Movement Monday, Pilates teachers! Today's focus is on the Teaser, an iconic Pilates movement that epitomises strength, control, balance, and precision. We'll explore how to guide different clients, including older individuals, in mastering this movement while adhering to the Pilates principle of quality over quantity.
Understanding the Teaser: The Teaser is a core element of Pilates, engaging the abdominal muscles, challenging balance, and demanding total body integration. Its beauty lies in its blend of simplicity and complex execution.
Key Elements of the Teaser:
Alignment and Control: Stress the importance of balance and alignment throughout the movement.
Core Engagement: Instruct students to engage their core muscles to support the spine as part of the setup.
Breath Coordination: Teach students to synchronise their breath with the movement.
Progressions and Modifications: Start with simpler versions for beginners and gradually progress.
Common Challenges and Solutions:
Difficulty in lifting the legs and torso: Strengthen the core and hip flexors with targeted exercises.
Maintaining balance and control: Use slow, controlled movements and props for support.
Anatomy Breakdown: The Role of the Psoas in the Teaser The Psoas major is crucial in leg movements and stabilising the torso in the Teaser.
The Risk of Overuse: Lifting the legs too high can lead to overuse of the psoas, causing muscular imbalances and lower back strain.
How to Avoid Overusing the Psoas:
Monitor Leg Height: Encourage lifting legs to a manageable height.
Engage the Entire Core: Focus on engaging the entire core, including the transversus abdominis and obliques.
Focus on Pelvic Position: Maintain a neutral pelvis to reduce psoas strain.
Use Props for Support: Props can assist in achieving correct muscle engagement.
Teaser for Older Clients: Strengthening the Psoas For older clients, the Teaser can be an excellent movement to strengthen the psoas, provided it's done correctly and safely.
Quality Over Quantity:
Philosophy: Following Joseph Pilates' system, the more challenging the movement, the fewer repetitions should be done. This approach emphasises quality over quantity.
Application: For older clients, focus on performing a few, well-executed Teasers rather than numerous repetitions. This ensures safety and effectiveness, aligning with the true spirit of Pilates.
Adapting the Teaser:
Modifications: Offer modifications to accommodate the physical capabilities of older clients. Single Leg and even with the knees bent.
Guidance: Provide close supervision and hands-on guidance to ensure proper form and prevent strain.
Teaching Tips:
Use imagery and metaphors for better movement visualisation.
Encourage patience and adapt exercises to individual needs.
Emphasise the importance of form over the number of repetitions.
Finally: The Teaser is a journey of strength, control, and grace in Pilates. As teachers, we must adapt our approach to suit the needs of all clients, including older individuals. We can provide a safe, effective, and inclusive Pilates experience by emphasising quality over quantity and making necessary modifications. Let's embrace this Movement Monday with the knowledge and enthusiasm to guide our students through the Teaser, celebrating the philosophy of Pilates in every movement.
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