| Participants focus on the principles of coordination, strength, stability, flexibility, and alignment while learning how to incorporate props, such as the “theraband” and various sizes of balls, into a Pilates-based exercise program. These props add to the resistance of each exercise, aid in flexibility, and enable the participant to work on toning the core and limbs. Pilates-based mat work exercises emphasize breathing, spine articulation, pelvis stabilization, visual imaging, shoulder stabilization, fluidity in the joints, and abdominal strength. Pilates is a well-known exercise program that dancers have integrated into their daily schedule for many years. This session addresses ways to adapt exercises to make them more challenging for beginning to advanced movers. With systematic practice of specific exercises coupled with focused breathing patterns, Pilates has proven itself invaluable not only as a fitness endeavor, but as an important adjunct to professional sports training and physical rehabilitation of all kinds. The presenter's latest research projects involve quantifying measurement of exercise output on the Pilates Reformer machine, creating ball and band conditioning programs specifically for dancers using developments in exercise physiology, and identifying body image differences among athletes, dancers, and other college populations. |