Pilates Elephants

Are your upper traps really over-active? Many people experience tension or pain in their traps, and we often assume that indicates the muscles are overactive, and they need to relax more. But does it? Resources mentioned in the episode: Neck pain without red flags (spinal fracture, vertebral artery dissection, spinal cord injury, infection, cancer, AS) is nonspecific neck pain  here Moderate...

Tactile cues help our clients understand the movement better, right? Or do they? We’ll take a look at the evidence, along with discussing our thoughts on what value hands-on does have in today’s Pilates class. Resources mentioned in the episode here: Connect with Kyle Marsh on Instagram Find True II Form online  here and on Instagram Knowledge of results is more effective than manual guidance...

There are only 4 key things you need to know to break through a strength plateau, or help your clients get seriously stronger. Resources mentioned in the episode: 4+ sets per week per movement is required for strength gains  here Stop 2-3 reps before failure  here Eat 2g protein per kg body weight per day  here For young adults 1.6g/kg/day may be enough Caloric surplus makes it a lo...

Don’t worry dear listener, there are PLENTY of good… no GREAT reasons to do Pilates for people with back pain. We share some of them here. Resources mentioned in the episode: Connect with Adam McAtee on IG here Brinjikji et al. 2015 - Disk bulge is highly prevalent in pain-free people  here Changes in low back pain after TrA retraining are not related to changes in TrA timing  here Chang...

Resources mentioned in the episode: Golgi Tendon Organs respond more to changes in tension than to absolute tension  here GTOs also desensitize after high tension . Glute activation drills increase perception but not actual glute activation  here Elite bodybuilders can’t accurately sense muscle activation  here Conscious experience of expected movements is inhibited  here High...

Resources mentioned in the episode here: Connect with Kyle Marsh on Instagram Find True II Form online  here and on Instagram Original ABC article  here Common Core Standards for US academic education  here Professional breakdancers have 4.4 injuries per 1000 hours of breakdancing  here Elite Powerlifters suffer 1.1-4 injuries per 1000 hours  here Yoga is a low-risk activi...

What exactly is muscle gripping? Turns out it’s not an internally coherent concept. We make the case with logic and research that it’s time to let go of gripping and just relax. Resources mentioned in the episode: Connect with Adam McAtee on IG here Glutes fire last in the prone leg extension test  here Hamstring recruitment order varies between people in the same exercise  here Glute ma...

Find resources mentioned in the episode: Hypermobile physical therapy students don’t sustain more injuries - they sustain different injuries  here  and  here Amateur athletes who are hypermobile have the same number of injuries as non-hypermobile people  here Over 2 years, no difference in injury rate between hypermobile and non-hypermobile NCAA div 1 collegiate footballers&nbs...

Live coaching call with Kala from QuietBodies Pilates. In this conversation, we cover: How to market your studio to attract new hires who are a great fit How to screen for the perfectly aligned candidate How to take leadership of a team of instructors How to retain great instructors long-term And more. Resources mentioned in the episode: Breathe Education Culture  here Find Kala Loek's QuietB...

We all know teaser is awesome for your abs, and criss cross really works the obliques. But do they really? Join me as I look at the science and physiology of ab strengthening. The results may surprise you! Resources mentioned in the episode: Review of core activation in fitness exercises  here Muscles are weakest in their fully shortened position  here Stretch-induced muscle growth ...

The story of how Natasha changed her understanding of pain from purely biomechanical to biopsychosocial. Resources mentioned in the episode: Find Natasha online here , on her Facebook account , or IG account Connect with me on Instagram : @the_raphaelbender Download a free course guide: Pilates Certification Visualized Anatomy Become a Breathe Education Mentor Affiliate: Program info Mentioned in...

This is my personal list of things I recommend you study to become a great(er) instructor. Connect with me on Instagram : @the_raphaelbender Download a free course guide: Pilates Certification Visualized Anatomy Become a Breathe Education Mentor Affiliate: Program info Mentioned in this episode: Done-for-you client acquisition: This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdB...

When are props useful, and when are they a distraction? In fact, what is the role of a Pilates instructor and what makes a good one? How much is teaching Pilates performative, and how much is service? Tune in to find out our thoughts. Resources mentioned in the episode: Connect with Kyle Marsh on Instagram Find True II Form online  here and on Instagram Connect with me on Instagram : @the_rap...

Is neutral spine more efficient? First we have to define what we mean by efficient. Then, I promise you a more nuanced answer than simply “yes” or “no”. Resources mentioned in the episode here: Upright thoracic posture allows greater shoulder ROM  here Passive tissues provide most of the stiffness of the spine in flexion  here Flexed spine postures are more efficient for lifting heavy th...

What is knee stability and how do we improve it? Visualize the anatomy of the knee & hip - and get to grips with all the muscles you need to strengthen for someone with knee stability issues. Good news - simple exercises can solve complex problems! Connect with me on Instagram : @the_raphaelbender Download a free course guide: Pilates Certification Visualized Anatomy Become a Breathe Education...

If you have these symptoms in your Pilates business: Not enough clients Can’t charge enough Clients you don’t enjoy working with Not getting the results you’d like to get for your clients You could well have the wrong clients. In this episode, you’ll learn how to find the right clients and get your business back on track. Connect with me on Instagram : @the_raphaelbender Download a free course gui...

My 5 reasons why you should not worry about anterior pelvic tilt - ever. Resources mentioned in the episode: Abdominal strength is not related to pelvic tilt  here Erector spinae, glutes and hamstrings are inactive in quiet standing  here 8 weeks of abdominal strengthening doesn’t change pelvic tilt  here Abdominal & hip flexor length is not associated with pelvic tilt  her...

Before you can stand out, you have to get over your fear of not fitting in. Here’s how. Connect with me on Instagram : @the_raphaelbender Download a free course guide: Pilates Certification Visualized Anatomy Become a Breathe Education Mentor Affiliate: Program info Mentioned in this episode: Done-for-you client acquisition: This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBark...

Jeff runs 2 Pilates studios in Surrey, UK. In this conversation, we talk through Jeff’s challenge of rolling out a more consistent class program and teaching style across his team of 13 instructors. Plus we talk through the differences and similarities of the UK and Australian Pilates scenes. Resources mentioned in the episode: Find Jeff and Pilates Movement UK here Connect with Pilates Movement o...

This episode is outside the normal format for the podcast - I’ve had a lot of questions about what’s going on at Breathe Education recently, and in this episode, or fireside chat, I answer all of them. Connect with me on Instagram : @the_raphaelbender Download a free course guide: Pilates Certification Visualized Anatomy Become a Breathe Education Mentor Affiliate: Program info Mentioned in this e...

Why you only need 2 basic shoulder exercises for a balanced shoulder workout. Warning - anatomy geek out. Connect with me on Instagram : @the_raphaelbender Download a free course guide: Pilates Certification Visualized Anatomy Become a Breathe Education Mentor Affiliate: Program info Mentioned in this episode: Done-for-you client acquisition: This podcast uses the following third-party services fo...

This is why you struggle to attract clients to your Pilates sessions. And the solution. Resources mentioned in the episode: Get a copy of Raph's new book 'How to make $100k/year teaching Pilates' here Connect with me on Instagram : @the_raphaelbender Download a free course guide: Pilates Certification Visualized Anatomy Become a Breathe Education Mentor Affiliate: Program info Mentioned in this ep...

I think in Pilates, we generally spend too much attention and time learning repertoire, and not enough time focusing on the other four key skills of a Pilates instructor Resources mentioned in the episode Interview with Gaby Wulf and Rebecca Lewthwaite here There are only 3 exercises in the world and cat stretch is 2 of them here Prenatal Pilates is just Pilates with Hailey Hawkins here Rehab is j...

What the Diploma is, and why we’re ending it with one final intake this September Connect with me on Instagram : @the_raphaelbender Download a free course guide: Pilates Certification Visualized Anatomy Become a Breathe Education Mentor Affiliate: Program info Mentioned in this episode: Done-for-you client acquisition: This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - h...

Almost everyone overcomplicates rehabilitation. It’s actually very simple. Listen to find out. Connect with me on Instagram : @the_raphaelbender Download a free course guide: Pilates Certification Visualized Anatomy Become a Breathe Education Mentor Affiliate: Program info Mentioned in this episode: Done-for-you client acquisition: This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:...