Pilates For Jazz

Like any other kind of dancer, those who dance jazz have certain clothing needs.  Footwear is really important to people in everyday life and activities, and is especially so for dancers.  Over the years dance shoe and sportswear manufacturers have put a lot of research and effort into producing practical, comfortable and supportive shoes for dancers.Jazz shoes are an example of dance specific footwear in which a variety of needs are catered for.  There are loads of styles and designs available on the market.  While this is a good thing, it can make choosing shoes very difficult for those who are inexperienced.  When selecting jazz shoes there are several things that should be taken into consideration.  If you (or your child) are a member of a jazz class, there may well be details of which shoes to buy available from the school, or advice to be had from teachers or fellow students/parents.Like ballet slippers, jazz shoes should be well fitted, comfortable but not too loose.  You don’t’ want the shoe to chafe, or to come off during practice!  Trying on a variety of makes and styles is advisable, as what works for one dancer may not suit another.  If you are interested in purchasing shoes for a better price online, make sure you know which size you need as they may vary between manufacturers and styles.Split sole shoes can provide excellent flexibility, helping to allow certain movements, although today a number of full sole options can be very supple.  Another option worth considering is the jazz boot – these provide extra support for the ankle and can be useful to beginners.  Jazz trainers are now available, and they are becoming increasing popular as they offer a good level of ankle support and usually have a hard toe casing to help a dancer remain in a pointe position.  They are, however, quite heavy compared to other designs, which means they lend themselves better to some forms of dance than others.  They are usually used for hip hop and street styles.The materials used to make jazz shoes are also really important, and your choice will be governed by cost and style.  Leather is expensive initially, but is long lasting, breathable and moulds itself to a user’s foot after being worn several times.  Leather will require careful cleaning and maintenance to keep it in top notch condition.  Canvas shoes are often recommended for youngsters, as they tend to fit well and are less expensive – shoes need replacing frequently for growing feet.  It’s important to have the right clothes when starting to dance, they allow for comfortable movements and can help boost confidence.  After a while, choosing the right jazz shoes for you will be an easy and enjoyable task.The main purpose of dancing for many is to have a good time, and to get some exercise.  Enjoying dance is of vital importance, the energy and enthusiasm of those who love to dance shines through in their performances for all to see.

As the human body ages there is a greater tendency for discomfort and pain for the muscles and joints to the point where the body feels like it has stiffened up. This can make routine movements such as bending over or reaching uncomfortable at best and almost impossible at worst. By learning how to do Pilates, the greater flexibility and movement achieved will certainly alleviate these problems.

The actual problem of restrictive movement and discomfort does not emanate from the joints or bones but is due to the muscles and connective tissues that move the joints. Flexibility is used to describe the full range of motion of a body joint and the greater such range, the more flexible a joint will be. The problem lies in a situation where the muscles and joints are not moved in any discernable way on a regular basis through undergoing their full ranges of motion and this will obviously lead to a reduction in their overall capability. Once this occurs and there is a demand placed upon the body to undetake movement that it is not normally asked of it there really should be no surprise that some level of discomfort or pain is experienced, the result being a discouragement from further use. The muscles become shortened through prolonged periods of inactivity which can lead to the creation of spasms and cramps that can often become irritating and at times extremely painful.

For someone who does not get enough activity and movement on a daily basis any suggestion of undertaking any form of exercise can be met with a negative response as the imagined outcome will be pain and discomfort. All is not lost as there is available a range of movement exercises and techniques that are possible to use within daily routines even for people who, up until now, have never considered or wanted to undertake any form of regular exercise. A popular and acknowledged exercise regime to assist with improved body movement and greater flexibility is Pilates which anyone of any age and fitness level can immediately start to benefit from.

There are many different exercises included within a Pilates fitness program for any levels of fitness and age with the target being the improved tone and core strength of the muscles, greater flexibility plus also increasing the awareness of body form. The effect of undertakeing the techniques will be the reprogramming of the body with efficient muscle use resulting in great benefits such as improved posture.

By learning how to do Pilates and incorporating it into an existing exercise program or to use it on its own, you will notice beneficial results quite quickly that often elude those that wish to gain better fitness and greater body flexibility. With better conditioning of the body’s core muscles, the problem of muscle ache will reduce and over time disappear as you reap the benefits from the better conditioned, reprogrammed you.

For exercise enthusiasts, a workout usually means a trip to the gym, where they partake in group aerobic classes and workout among the weights and machines. But for others, the gym may be cost-prohibitive or may not suit their personal preferences or lifestyle. For such people, the fitness video has opened up a whole new world of exercise options – allowing a healthy and effective workout right in the privacy and comfort of their own home.
The fitness video has grown in popularity right alongside the workout scene and the rise of the VCR. As more and more people hit the gym and more and more people purchased VCRs, there came a realization of the availability in the marketplace for instructional videos that would allow those who were interested in working out at home the opportunity to do so.
Today, the fitness video is most often purchased in DVD format and the market is flooded with different varieties of videos meant to appeal to people of all fitness levels and with many different interests. Each year sees another crop of videos – each heralding the coming of another fitness craze.
No matter what you choose to do as an exercise program, there is a fitness video for you. You can choose cardiovascular exercise such as step classes, dance workouts – including jazz, ballet, hip-hop, belly dancing, and even strip aerobics; kickboxing; and boot camp. For weight training you will find a bevy of instructional videos meant to walk you through effective weightlifting that will speed results and prevent injury. And the ever-growing popularity of yoga and Pilates has spawned a whole new style of fitness video designed to instruct viewers and make them feel as though they are getting one-on-one training.
In fact, enthusiasts of the fitness video will hardly feel as though they are missing the activity of the gym; such videos are typically filmed in a class setting and can make viewers feel as though they are right there, taking part. Of course, this provides energy and motivation and can help you get through your workout while still having fun.
The benefits of the fitness video – aside from the convenience, privacy, and affordability that comes with working out at home – includes the ability to exercise at your own pace. A fitness video can allow you to stop and start so that you become familiar with each exercise. Not only will this increase your confidence, it will pay off in the form of physical fitness achieved.

Pilates in an exercise ball. Pilates fitness band. Pilates with yoga. Pilates for tango dancing. Pilates in the pool. The list goes on, but are we really talking about Pilates even when presented mostly in the context of a system of exercises? Much of the Pilates community would say no, and much would say yes.

Joseph Pilates developed a wide repertoire of exercises based on the principles of very specific movement. Their exercises are done on a mat or one of the many pieces of equipment he invented, as the magic circle, a Pilates chair or reformer. That’s near the end of the story for many traditionalists in the world of Pilates. However, as the Pilates method has influenced the exercise science and vice versa, many new approaches and equipment have found their way in the formation of Pilates.

The key question then is: How far from traditional Pilates is too far? If you take a class or buy a Pilates video and pretending to be something, say Pilates and ballroom dancing, but there are only two traditional Pilates exercises in the whole thing, is Pilates? “And if we add fundamental building work? If you do a Pilates class and the instructor ball no more than a day “Pilates on the ball” certification from one of the many self-appointed certification companies, you will reap the benefits associated with doing Pilates correctly?

I can not answer those questions. My job is to bring to your attention and alert you that the fact that while most of Pilates-based instruction is excellent, there are a lot of Pilates combined with other teams and traditions and is derived from Pilates there is no real is in it – other than as a noun or as a marketing tool.

So how do you know if you go to a fusion of Pilates experience that Pilates gives you enough to be worthwhile, especially if there is no traditional Pilates taught? The 5 tips below will help you be a demanding customer:

1. The best solution is to know about Pilates. Take some Pilates classes, equipment or mate, with a fully certified Pilates instructor. Then go to the combination of Pilates with this or that. At least you have an idea of the basics of Pilates movement, and you will be able to see the principles in its fusion instructor or not.

2. Find out how much of his instructional Pilates Fusion Pilates teacher actually does. Do not settle for a one day workshop. If the instructor is the combination of Pilates with something else, yoga or ballet, for example, must be well trained in both.

3. Look for the basics of Pilates inspired instruction and an emphasis on abs who retired in supporting the core, the length and alignment, exercise modification, including the stability of the ABS base, shoulder and pelvis integrated breathing, and a sense of the principles of Pilates.

4. Ask yourself how you feel after a class. Are you getting the benefits associated with Pilates training? Do your limbs feel more and feel taller? Are you getting the strength without the stress? His posture is better and breathing is easy and completely? Are you more flexible?

Just a few years ago, Kim Gibilisco, a choreographer, dancer and Polestar- and Stott Pilates–trained instructor, was teaching private Pilates sessions in her Manhattan studio. Today, she is an Assistant Professor of Dance at Shenandoah University in Winchester, Virginia, and the woman responsible for bringing a Pilates mat certification program to the school. Here she discusses how she came to be SU’s Pilates Program Coordinator and where Pilates fits in the university setting.

PP: How did the idea of a collegiate Pilates program come about, and what did it take to convince school officials?KG: When I accepted my position in the Dance Department at SU, my chairperson, Erica Helm, and I discussed the possibility of offering a Mat Teacher Training course to our students. I designed the curriculum in the summer of 2005 then applied for Pilates Method Alliance (PMA) approval as an Educational Member. Applying to the PMA was an important part of the process, as I wanted to be sure that our program was properly sanctioned. I also wanted to ensure that our graduates could apply for PMA membership and be accepted into Apparatus programs in the future if they wanted to pursue more. The Mat program was approved and we began running the program in Fall 2005. The program was embraced from the very beginning by our university.

PP: How did you design the curriculum and what are the requirements?KG: I designed the curriculum specifically for a student population (ages 19-25) who may not have had any experience with the method. One semester of college level anatomy is required to enroll. Since our students are in a four-year program (versus typical weekend-based training seminars), I wanted to capitalize on the available time I had to teach the material. I determined that a two-semester sequence was the most effective way to teach the material to this population.  Students must earn at least an 84% in the first semester to advance to the second semester.

The first semester entails 2 hour of Mat experiential and 1 hour of lecture per week. In the second semester, students take Mat once a week with me. Then students rotate in teaching the whole group a Mat class once a week. Following a student Mat class, participants offer feedback on the effectiveness and teaching style of the student instructor. In the second semester, the lectures focus on teaching methods and class design. Using their understanding of the Trilogy, the 6 Pilates Principles (control, centering, concentration, flowing movement, precision and breath) and the 5 Pilates Lab Principles (use of inhalation and exhalation, pelvic floor, restorative poses, visual gaze and neutral spine) students design a class with a theme or concept they want to address. Written and practical midterms and finals are also administered.

Using some of the Mat Teacher Training models I researched, I designed the curriculum to include lectures and practicums that I believe are important in becoming a well-rounded teacher of the method. For example, our students are tested in physical practicums where they must demonstrate their mastery of the 34 exercises as well as in teaching practicums where they must demonstrate their ability to teach confidently and effectively. I also wanted to offer students course work on the various props used in the Mat work, (e.g.: magic circle, foam roller and thera-bands and thera-ball) so that they did not need to attend continuing education courses outside of the university setting to develop their breadth of knowledge. In addition, I teach contra-indications for diabetes, orthopedic issues and pregnancy so that our graduates feel comfortable with teaching a variety of populations. What I stress the most is the importance of “knowing what you don’t know and to teach ONLY what you know.” For example, if a client asks them about an orthopedic issue that is out of their scope of practice, they know to refer them to a medical professional. Our students are taught how to self-assess and where to look for more information if they are unclear.

PP: Are you the only instructor involved with the Pilates program?KG: Yes, as per the PMA, all teachers must have at least 5 years of teaching experience to instruct teacher trainers.

PP: What type of students does the program attract?KG: Up until 2007, we have had primarily dance majors enrolled in the program. However, this academic year our Music Theatre majors and staff have also enrolled and successfully completed the program.  For the 2008-2009 academic year, we have dance majors, music theatre majors, SU alumni and community members enrolled.

PP: Are students who complete all the requirements considered certified Pilates instructors?KG: Only the PMA can “certify” teachers in the method. As an Educational Member of the PMA, our teacher trainers are given a certificate of completion with the SU and PMA logos on it.

PP: Is Pilates an actual major, and if not, how does it work into a student’s graduation plan?KG: Our Teacher Training Program is an elective course that can fulfill a dance elective requirement.

PP: How many students have been through the program, and are they actively teaching now?KG: We have had 26 students complete the Mat Teacher Training course of which 14 students are actively teaching Pilates Mat.

A valuable resource for learning the basics of jazz from Mike Steinel of the University of North Texas. It covers the basics of jazz, how to build effective solos, a comprehensive practice routine, and a jazz vocabulary of the masters.

(more…)

Pilates Style Magazine

“everything a beginner could ask for…. combines the best of yoga and Pilates… never get bored and steadily progress.”

YOUR NEEDS CHANGE EVERY DAY, SO SHOULD YOUR DVD! This DVD is for anyone who considers themselves inflexible. Joseph Pilate developed his method not for people who were already flexible, but rather to help inflexible and/or injured people become more flexible, strong and healthy. Pilates Complete for Inflexible People™ (more…)

DANCE SPIRIT is edited for people who dance. It provides essential information to develop their performance talents and manage all aspects of the dancer’s lifestyle. Columns and features by dancers, choreographers and instructors offer definitive advice on improving technique and expanding creativity with both broad-spectrum dance articles and dance-discipline specific columns. Dance lifestyle features cover news-oriented information on the dance world at large and advice on all (more…)

No description for this product could be found, but have a look over at Amazon for reviews and other information.

Amazon.com

Bring your Pilates routine out of the expensive studio and into your living room with the Pilates Power Gym reformer. Outfitted with a sturdy carbon-steel frame that can hold up to 300 pounds, the Power Gym will help firm, tone, sculpt, and define your calves, thighs, hips, abs, shoulders, arms, and back. In short, there’s no better way to create fabulous Pilates arms, long and lean Pilates legs, and a perfect Pilates behind. Specifically designed to eliminate the Pil (more…)