A Look Into ITT Pilates: Part 3
The class size is small—most likely due to Covid-19 and the variants. This gives us the advantage of getting to know each other and our physical challenges while the trainer demonstrates how to assess them in detail. My biggest challenge for Mat II is scoliosis and the rolling exercises.
On day one of Mat II, Margaret Tappan indicated that it would be challenging! The Beginner Mat was all about the various rolling exercises. She wasn’t kidding! Roll Downs were easier than Roll-Ups, unless you had developed your core. Regardless, rolling exercises are fun and require more advanced breathing techniques and dance choreography. For example, try a Roll Up to Teaser! It’s quite a challenge! My ambition is to get there by practicing at home and augmenting my training by taking private lessons with Margaret, a Master at Pilates.
The ITT coursework is physically and mentally demanding. We were asked to design a Mat class including some Essential Exercises after a long day in training. I thought I’d be wiped out after all the rolling. I went home, did some chores, and then did my homework. I attempted to design a logical progression from all the Mat Exercises to include spinal flexion, spinal extension, spinal and arm rotations in Supine, Quadraped, Side-lying, and Prone Home positions. I listed an appropriate Essential Exercise to teach for each Mat Exercise.
On day two, we started by reviewing our homework assignment. Margaret gave constructive suggestions for improvement where needed. Then, each student demonstrated one Essential Exercise and a corresponding Mat Exercise to teach to the class from our homework list. Cleverly, this was our warm-up to start the day! Boomerang, Push Up, and Mermaid Twist were challenging, but it was evident that I was getting stronger and more coordinated to attempt them! The choreography was fun and rewarding.
I had been teaching Essential Exercises to my student volunteers. After Mat II training, it’s time to teach them the Mat Exercises. I find it easier to teach someone who has movement training than a volunteer who wants to get into shape! The mind-body connection is a must. Remembering the names of all the exercises, their biomechanics/objective, the breathwork for each exercise, etc., is definitely challenging but rewarding coursework!