When does aging begin? While Spinal Asymmetry and Scoliosis are often assumed to be an adolescent phenomenon, many clients seek relief through movement education during the adult phases of pregnancy years, change of life years and the older adult years. Evidence points to the controversy of surgical correction in especially older adulthood. At any age, Pilates helps. Changes due to student years, childbirth, change of life, injuries, and illnesses such as arthritis and cancer, magnify the imbalances and compensatory patterns, greatly impacting physicality throughout the life cycle. Fascial, neurologic, hormonal, and musculoskeletal aging effects begin to define one’s functionalities, greatly limiting the fullness of lives.
The Pilates environment is particularly well suited to address the needs of the hypermobile, post-partum asymmetrical mom, those in the mid-life menopausal phase along with the increasingly fragile older adult. Dynamic stability, balance, and phase appropriate mobility and strength requirements create fluid challenges for Pilates instructors. Learn about the life phases, the implications for skeletal, fascial tissue and neurologic changes. Learn how to recognize and adapt to the shifting nature of asymmetry in each phase of adulthood. This evidence-informed course addresses the differing approaches necessary to successfully focus on the often overlooked and unknown impact on the young adult, the connective tissue looseness of the pre-natal and post-partum phase, the delicate play between spine stability and mobility for each phase, and neurologic/fascial implications for balance and gait promotion, especially for the older adult. Learn not only about how to identify and help avoid spinal asymmetry.
Outline
Video Lecture:
- Definition of the life phases and convergence with spinal asymmetry
- Fascial impacts of physical, mental, emotional effects of each phase:
- Adolescent
- Child-bearing and beyond
- Menopausal
- Osteoporosis and Kyphosis
- The older-aging spine: Sagittal spinal focus
- Position vs. Function in the Pilates Environment
Module 1 Lab:
- Jaw, Head, and Sensory Exercises
- Mat Standing/Aging Exercises
- Fascial Movement Mat:
- Pandiculation
- Circumferential Bands
- Sagittal Line Exercises:
- Forward Head
- Kyphosis
- Lumbar Lordosis
Module 2 Lab:
- Shoulder Dissociation and Arm Use
- Pelvic Sway and Stability
- Reformer, Chair, and Trapeze Table Applications
- Balance and Gait
- Questions/Closing Remarks
Objectives
At the end of this course, the participant will:
- Better appreciate the components of asymmetry
- Better understand how and why the adult phases of life impact those with spinal asymmetry
- Better understand and explain the connective tissue implications associated with each phase
- Better understand the sensory organ involvement with asymmetry and exercises to address it
- Learn to identify the changes in the aging phases: fascial, gravitational, musculoskeletal, neurological, and emotive
- Better understand the essential spinal elements that create disability with age
- Better understand limb elements that exacerbate aging asymmetry
- Learn to adapt the Pilates environment for the adult phase
