Pilates Tips from the Pros | FusionPilatesEDU.com

Stability Ball Exercises: Targeting Chest, Back, & Arm Strength

You can purchase a Stability Ball here. A prop inserted into the classical Pilates mat work can really give you an extra challenge or sometimes a bit of an assist as we saw in our Magic Circle posts. This entry introduces another prop, the stability ball. Unlike the Magic Circle this is not a prop […]…

How to Retain Your Clients

To be a talented, skilled Pilates instructor is only 25% of being successful. The other 75% is how well you do with relating to others, teaching to people’s different learning abilities, and running a smooth, professional business. It is important in your private sessions and even in your group classes that you try to cue […]…

Strengthening & Stretching the Inner Thighs with the Magic Circle

One of Joseph Pilates’ many inventions was the Magic Circle. The first Magic Circle is said to have been made from the ring on a keg. This isn’t hard to believe, because Pilates was also known for his love of ale. Because the Magic Circle is small, light, and portable, it has become very popular […]…

Ron Fletcher: A Short History of a Movement Visionary

As many of you know, we lost Pilates Elder Ron Fletcher in 2011. Although he’s gone, his creative and inspired work lives on through his method called Fletcher Pilates. He was a wonderful man and teacher and a beautiful storyteller. I had the opportunity to spend an afternoon with Ron early in my career. He […]…

Fusion Hits the Road!

One of our most important missions here at FFO is to foster a community of Pilates Professionals who can use this site as a place to share ideas and information. With that in mind — the FusionMobile is hitting the road! We would love to stop by your studio to say hi, do a […]…

Fascial Tensioning & Lengthening in Pregnancy Workshop is LIVE!

We’re proud to announce the launch of our first Pre & Post Natal online workshop, Fascial Tensioning & Lengthening in Pregnancy! Please take advantage of the special intro price of only $19 using the promo code FascialPregSpecial at checkout. By using all the Pilates apparatus, in combination with the Sling system we will explore how […]…

Pilates and Rotation, Part 2: Classical Exercise Challenge

When rotating our torsos, most of us find that we must retract the shoulders and/or shift our hips in order to turn our bodies. Moving in this way prevents us from accessing the many joints in our spine. Each vertebra has one joint on each side. There are seven cervical vertebrae (twelve thoracic and five […]…

Overball for Pelvic Clocking

The overball is a wonderful prop because it elevates and highlights the subtleties of pelvic movement. Before we can cue our clients to optimal alignment, we must first teach them how and why their pelvis moves at all. That knowledge then can be used as a powerful tool to change the body, and it is […]…

Spine Stretch in the Reformer Well

This has to be one of our favorite ways to teach the segmental articulation of the spine! Not only is this an incredibly supported posture to work in, but it just feels so wonderful. From the gentle pull of the springs to the contrast that it creates, it allows the clients to slow down and […]…

Applying for a Job, Part 2: Resume & Reference Letters

So you’ve visited the studio or studios where you think you might be interested in applying. You like the vibe. You like the people. Now it’s time to deliver a resume and reference materials. Personally, my eyes glaze over whenever I look at a resume. I can’t speak for all studio owners, but most of […]…

Footwork

One of the beautiful traits of the reformer is the limitless options it provides you and your clients. The springs play a huge part in this adaptable machine as they allows you to adjust tension and challenge the client as needed, even in the simplest exercises. The contrast between heavy and light springs is valuable […]…

Pilates Dork Tee Shirts are Here!

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Fingertip Abdominals

“Core work” has become a worldwide workout tagline. And although most people know they need it, few really know what “it” is, or how to achieve it. This quick and easy explanation of how the transverse abdominals work, along with very direct hands-on cueing, starts to unveil what it truly feels like to be connected […]…

Osteoporosis: Single Leg Work on the Cadillac with a Stability Ball

Coming up with variations and modifications for clients of special populations is an important part of being a successful Pilates instructor. With osteoporosis clients, and their need for limited spinal flexion, you need to think of ways to work the internal and external obliques in a nontraditional way. This exercise speaks to this need and […]…

Supine Leg Slide

Watch this video to learn how to read the body during movement. This exercise involves a very simple slide of the leg out and back in. Listen to the creative cueing to help the client stabilize the pelvis and spine as she moves her leg. Often, clients need very subtle cues to bring them into […]…

Short Box Ab

In this video we turn the classical Short Box on its head. This exercise is often not done very well, and there are good reasons for why. Learn tips to create better flexion and mobility in the lower spine. Your clients will thank you because they will finally be able to access the power of […]…

We Want You!

Our main goal with this site is to create a community of Pilates professionals to share ideas and experiences with. Why? Because we can’t even count the number of times that we had a Pilates question and no one to ask, or had an idea that we were dying to get feedback on. Now — […]…

Marie-José Blom’s “Simply Challenging”

We consider ourselves incredibly lucky to be able to present Pilates legend Marie-José Blom’s first online workshop! If you know her work, then you’ll want to check this out ASAP! If you don’t know her work, please let us introduce you. As Creator & President of the SmartSpine® Wellness System, Marie-José has more than twenty years […]…

Pilates Dorks: Win $1,500 of Pilates Goodies!

Pilates Dorks Have UNITED! Let’s celebrate by giving away $1,500! We’ve just launched a new contest with over $1,500 worth of Pilates goodies from FusionPilatesEDU.com, Fusion DVDs, SmartSpine™, Balanced Body, WAGs, ToeSox, Correct Toes, and Be Present — awesome companies with products we love. All you have to do to be entered to win is […]…

Tennis Ball Lower Leg Release

Good function of the foot and ankle is determined by balanced musculature of the lower leg. Watch the video to learn techniques to release the connective tissue between the fibularis and soleus muscles. These are great techniques that your clients can learn to do at home. With consistent massaging the lower leg can balance and […]…