[Here's a reader question, submitted via email]

Hello,

I'm relatively new to teaching and would like some imput on teaching pilates fundamentals to athletes. How do you teach them the basics and yet insure that they feel challenged by the exercises? Also, I recently inherited some clients from a trainer who uses a high number of springs for all the exercises on the reformer (these clients are not athletes). It appears that the clients are using a lot of momentum as they perform the sequences rapidly. When I suggest reducing the springs and performing the exercises more slowly for part of the session, the clients equate "slower" and "lighter" with being basic and easy. Any suggestions?

Thanks, A.M.

Athletes are quick to learn and will appreciate that the smaller muscles and the joint stabilizers will give the bigger, global muscles a "rest" until they are absolutely needed. Athletes appreciate the nuances - they want to learn "how" and they don't take criticism personally. The athletes I teach are intrigued how the smaller muscles can assist the bigger output and they pay attention to the detail that is Pilates. Hang in. Cue the basics and watch how quickly they discover the beauty of working this way. As the to 2nd part of your enquiry, ask anybody who works in the gym to lower a weight slowly and they soon discover how difficult it is to work eccentrically. Don't let anyone work quickly and lose form. The challenge is in keeping form while moving - isn't that what most everyday function is about? laD
Donna Stevenson, the Pilates room, Vancouver, BC.

yes,I have been running an injury prevention,rehabilitation and performance enhancement programme for young athletes for ten years now.the basics performed slowly and with awareness adds a new dimension to their training giving them a tool box that they can use wherever they are performing, .i think the best of these tools is tuning in to their own bodies,scanning their own"mindbody maps" and developing self assessment skills carole jacobs therapeutic pilates