The reason for this vast disparity in the Pilates industry came about due to the fact that no one owns the Pilates name. That is another, longer story which I wont partake in now. The point is however is that any Tom, Dick or Harry can use the name and that as a consumer it can be confusing on who to trust with your most sacred possession, your body.

In recent years the Pilates industry has identified this problem and an organization called the Pilates Method Alliance has been formed to help legitimize the industry and create professional standards around safety and depth of training.

One of the ways the PMA has sought to ensure quality in the industry is by developing an exam. Mind you the exam, in and of itself has limitations, as all written exams do. What makes it reassuring as a client is that to even sit for the exam one has to have completed at least a comprehensive 450 hour training program.

So, if you are looking for a Pilates Instructor, you can at least have a start as you weed through your local options. Mind you, it is certainly possible and often probable that great teachers are not affiliated with the PMA. Best way to find out is to try them out for three sessions. You should know by the time three session are up if the teacher is right for you or whether Pilates is right for you. A bit of advice, if you come away thinking that Pilates is not right for you, try another teacher. Pilates should feel inherently right, its just the nature of Pilates done well. Good luck!

One of the essays that I was required to write during the training to become Certified Rolfer was on “tonus”. In its most simple sense we are speaking about muscle tone. In our culture, through our influence from the fitness industry we are led to believe that the more muscle tone the better. This is not necessarily the case. The word “tone”, in relation to the soft tissues of the body should really be used in a qualitative and not a quantitative way. You see, when muscle tissue gets too “toned” it becomes what is called hypertonic. Hypertonic tissue is in a state of constant contraction and therefore never gets an opportunity to rest properly nor clean itself properly.

Muscle tissue is self cleaning. Meaning, as muscle goes through its normal function which is to contract and to release it is continually flushing itself of toxins. Its a hydrolic pump. Contraction of muscle tissue results in an effective squeezing out of fluids and the relaxation phase draws in fresh fluids to repeat the process. Like cleaning a dirty sponge under running water, squeeze and release, squeeze and release until the sponge is clean.

Conversely, muscle tissue that does not go through this natural cleaning process properly is unable to rid itself of toxins. If this continues then toxins build up and significantly reduces the tissues ability to receive and metabolize nutrients. As the toxins build up nerve function is reduced and the soft tissue begins to harden into what are commonly referred to as knots in the tissue. What makes these knots sensitive to digital pressure is the release of acidic toxins onto the nerve ending.

To make a long story short. The tissue around the knotted tissue starts to take on the qualities of the the knot and the knot starts taking on the properties of bone and will eventually become fiberous, then granular and then crunchy. The surrounding tissues will start to retain fluid in an effort to protect itself from being damaged any further. Another result of this decrease in tissue quality is that it systematically pulls  the structure out of alignment leaving the body with postural distortions. Ill talk more about that in a future entry.

Point of the story is that only through moving through a full range of motion in a well balanced way and receiving thorough and deep bodywork can the soft tissues be developed and maintained in a way that results in healthy tone. I certainly don’t want to sound like a pessimist or negative. I just think that this is important information to have in our awareness so that we can start making small adjustment to our lifestyle, more informed choices that gently result and accumulate into healthier and happier lives.

You join the gym a few weeks later than we had hoped but, hey you were busy. As we start our new program its like the first day of school. You have our new sneakers, “outfits” and bag. Maybe even a fresh hair cut. After all its a new beginning. At first you are proud of yourself, you feel better and the change of routine seems to consummate the new life path.

What happens more often than not is that by March you find ourselves watching the last 9 months of your one year gym membership fly away in the breeze. Why? The case is usually that deep down you are second guessing your ability to sustain this regiment. This internal resistance is further supported by family, friends and the media.

Our family is not fully enrolled because it means that they are going to have to adapt to your new schedule. They are so use to your usual ways of being and any change at all is at least a little threatening. Additionally, if they have not decided on any new goals for themselves then all you are doing is putting a mirror in front of them simply by engaging in your new program.

Friends respond similarly to your priority shift and make small, “harmless” comments that seem to linger longer that all of the supportive ones. Im sure they don’t mean anything by it. Its small. Just one of them seems to whittle away at you and not by repetition but, because the couple of comments made, just jokes, seem to have put a slow leak in your momentum. Once you feel the momentum shift familiar patterns of years past flood back in and now we are looking at next year or beyond before we gather enough gumption to really get back on the horse.

The media has set us up for this through promoting diets, programs, pills and get fit quick schemes. It has a lot to do with the language we use. The word diet for example is often used to refer to a temporary effort. We are ALWAYS on a diet. We are either on a good diet or a bad diet. Period. “Fitness program” also sets us up for temporary efforts rather that a lifestyle choice.

The remedy to these pitfalls are this. First, get a workout partner who you know is committed to one year of sustained, consistent diligence. Sign a contract if you need to, even if its on a napkin. Before the next new year renegotiate for a plan of equal or greater commitment or find a new partner. Or hire a fitness professional that will hold you accountable to reaching your goals. Interview them for the job. This is important. Its your health, body and longevity on the line hear. If you are the type that will not work out unless you have a little motivation then find a way to get it. If it doesn’t work out you may have to “unhire” them and find a new one. Might I recommend a well trained Pilates instructor!

The point is that there is no other and or better way to improve your health than to exercise. Mr. Pilates said “physical fitness is the first requisite of health” and continued by saying that “physical fitness can neither be attained by outright purchase nor wishful thinking”. Nike shortened this idea into “Just do it”.

Physical exercise is the fountain of youth. One can literally stop time through exercise. If you think that this is grandiose then, its just your resistance talking. Consistent, increasingly intense exercise will result in you being by all measurable indicators, aside from your drivers license in ten years from now. Im not kidding. Literally younger. Don’t take no for an answer. Good luck!

Your program will include but will not be limited to 5 private Pilates sessions per week (group classes and semi-privates can be substituted in to lower the cost) with the instructor or instructors of your choice. Specific cardio-vascular recommendations will be made. It is possible that Rolfing Structural Integration, massage therapy, Cranio-Sacral Therapy, acupuncture or any number of other modalities may be necessary for us to achieve your goals. We will connect you with the best practitioners on the Vineyard if need be.

Nutrition will be important. We will consult a nutritionist to be sure you are making the best choices for yourself. Nutritional supplements may be suggested and only the very finest quality will be used. It is commonly known in the health and fitness field that nutrition is every bit as important as the rest of your activities. We have an excellent nutritionist on staff.

The finer details of this program are flexible but, I think you get the idea…you will be a new person! For more information call Stefan @ 508 696-6452       or email: stefan@vineayrdpilates.com

Price varies per time of year, instructor you are working with, combination of services and the length of time you choose your program to be.

During my training I observed many personal transformations. As a professional dancer and motor development practitioner, I came to understand body mechanics in a whole new way. My approach to teaching became much more informed and presently I feel very confident in my abilities to instruct clients who seek both physical fitness and pain relief through the method. My own body came to learn completely new paths in which it could work and express. Limitations soon became new challenges; these were my physical and emotional breakthroughs and where I am personally so grateful to have discovered and now embrace. As an individual, I became more compassionate and patient with myself and others.

Collectively, all the facets one must go through in order to enter the Pilates field with confidence, knowledge, and experience are supplied in abundance at The Vineyard Pilates Center. Whenever I attend a Pilates continuing education seminar, I am reminded that I was trained by knowledgeable professionals. The choice I made to do my program at The VPC was hands down one of the best I have ever made for me.

Jil, Vineyard Pilates Center staff

Martha’s Vineyard

• “The difference that I feel in my body is profound. I’m hooked! . My posture is better and the chronic pain in my hip and low back almost gone. It hurt to walk when I came to the (Vineyard) Pilates Center and now I’m able to live the active life that I want. I don’t know why everybody doesn’t do Pilates at the Vineyard Pilates Center!” - Jan, Martha’s Vineyard