The Foam Roller

Last week the weather was so beautiful we had both the double doors and all the windows open during classes!

The foam roller as seen in the photo above, is used to elevate the trunk of the body and reinforce the line of the spine in our body awareness.

The head, ribcage and pelvis all need to be supported by the foam roller, ribcage closure executed on the foam roller can improve awareness of spinal stability and promotes mobility and release around the shoulders.

Congratulations to Sarah on the birth of her son, Robert. Sarah controlled the onset of pelvic pain during her pregnancy with pilates, attending the studio for private sessions from Kildare.

Joseph Pilates' Magic Circle

This was a very special week as twins Nina and Kate were born, fit and healthy!

Congratulations to their Mum who has been attending the Dublin pregnancy classes at Bodyworks Physiotherapy Clinic.

Joseph Pilates created the magic circle out of the metal bands holding barrels of beer together, the number of bands determined the strength of resistance. Modern versions are more commonly known as the Pilates Circle, and they are much lighter than the originals!

The magic circle can be used to strengthen the musculature of chest and shoulders, in class we usually do this in standing. It is also possible to use the magic circle while sitting on the ball.

Improving upper body strength can be an important issue for women, and it is safe to do this during pregnancy with correct tuition.

The photo above (taken last summer) demonstrates how the magic circle can be used while sitting.

Classes this week have been busy and fun!

The theme has been 'looking at shape', created by precise movement.

Merce Cunningham, a Choreographer, sadly no longer with us, once said that to him choreography was about the shape created by space between bodies and parts of the body. He used the space between the spokes of a bike wheel, as an example of such a shape, the spokes creating a boundary, rather than being the focus.

In classes this week we explored Cunningham's choreographic concept with a focus on precise movement, building on already heightened body awareness. In particular the curl up with one arm at an angle and the opposite calf at the same angle in line with the thigh. The space between the lines created by the arm and opposite leg created an oblong with sloped sides.

In the photo above, the space created between the thighs, torso, arms and mat is a square.

These ideas help to improve movement precision and body awareness...

Introducing the Body Centering Pilates Studio

The Body Centering Pilates Studio is based in Co Wicklow, Ireland. There are 11 classes and 10 individual sessions, known as 1:1's, a week. The teachers are Mags Clark-Smith and Ruth Healy, both teachers are members of the Body Control Pilates Association.

Carla Gallagher also works at the studio, in the exclusive treatment room; she is a fully qualified massage therapist.

Ruth Healy has a background in Massage and an exuberant approach to teaching; her classes are fun and challenging.

Mags Clark-Smith set up the Body Centering Pilates Studio in 2004, her background is in Dance. Mags taught Dance, Anatomy and Choreography at University Level in UK, before moving to Ireland in 2002. She taught at a local Physiotherapy Clinic before setting up her own studio. Mags is involved in training Pilates Teachers with Body Control Pilates.

Body Centering Pilates has an Educational philosophy. Mags is a state registered teacher and teacher trainer. Classes and 1:1's are informative, related to functional movement and encourage personal development. They are also great fun!

The views of mountains and sea from the studio are spectacular!

It is so peaceful, a wonderful learning environment.

Getting started!

Just started, trying to get a photo up for you!

My name is Mags Clark-Smith and I will persevere.....................

Watch this space in the mean time you could look at bodycenteringpilates.com