Shana Menaker's Report from the June 8-18 American Dance Festival

By
Coast CCA
Published: June 18, 2007Posted in: Conference Reports

I am back now from attending a conference which was funded in
part by the CCA, and ready to write a report on my experiences
there.  From June 8th through June 18th I attended the American
Dance Festival in Durham, North Carolina, the oldest and largest
festival of dance in the country.  I went there to study Pilates.
Dancers were amongst the first specialized groups to work with the
originator of the Pilates method, Joe Pilates, and in my opinion
remain some of the most highly informed teachers in the field.
Since I base my Orange Coast College P.E. 102 course on Pilates mat
work, I knew that taking Pilates classes at ADF would be a valuable
use of time.
I was not disappointed.  While at the festival I took classes in
Pilates with Pamela Pietro, who is currently a full time faculty
member at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, my alma
mater.  Ms. Pietro’s approach to Pilates is classically based,
though enhanced by many personal and creative additions.
The exercises we did in class can be broken down in terms of body
region, and also in terms of breath and intensity.  98% of the time
we were doing floor work, with an occasional exercise in the
standing position.
First and foremost, Pilates Mat work focuses on the placement and
movement of the pelvis and spine, and on strengthening the core,
which supports that movement.  As a yoga teacher, I often refer to
the pelvis as that portion of the anatomy, which not only links the
upper and lower body, but also allows for the generation of power in
movement.  The core provides strength when moving the body as a
whole.  Pietro’s pelvic and spinal articulation series addressed
both of these areas and offered a sensible, patient approach, with a
variety of new arm positions, breathing patterns, and a flexible
sense of timing.
The pelvic articulations not only initiate abdominal strength,
but core awareness, as well.  In my experience, no form of exercise
is as efficient and complete in developing all aspects of abdominal
use as Pilates.  Pietro presented a number of variations, which
could be used for students who have cervical and lower back issues.
As an instructor, having alternative ways to work with students
dealing with issues is key.
From the pelvic work we moved on to hip rotation and strength,
including exercises that emphasize quadriceps strength and hamstring
flexibility.  Again these areas are of major importance not only to
athletes but to the non-athlete, as well.
Finally, Pietro led us through strength work for the lower,
middle, and upper back.  In addition she offered some very unusual
exercises for developing cervical strength and range of motion for
the neck.  These exercises were rather ingenious, suspending the
head beyond a stair, thus creating support for the shoulder girdle.
Throughout the work, very particular breathing patterns were
specified.  In yoga we say that in order to get the greatest benefit
out of the work, the individual should maintain a steady use and
awareness of breath.  Pilates is no different.  Ms. Pietro
consistently guided the inhalation and exhalation to coordinate with
the movements she taught.
Intensity is a very personal issue.  In Pietro’s class each
student was asked to work at a level appropriate to their level of
fitness.  Of course numbers of repetitions will also impact level of
intensity in Pilates.  All the while, one must remember that form is
of utmost importance and should never be sacrificed in order to
complete a greater number of repetitions of any given exercise.
A teacher of mine from my undergraduate years also attended these
classes.  She has the first stages of Parkinson’s disease, and it
was particularly helpful to watch Ms. Pietro guide her though the
exercises.  Though at Orange Coast College I am not working with a
population that is this severely restricted, observations of work
with special populations always expands knowledge, understanding,
and experience.
In summary, my studies in Pilates with Ms. Pietro were rich and
inspiring.  There is so much to learn in a field, which attempts to
embrace the needs of a broad population.  I feel very fortunate to
have had the opportunity to study with an expert who could shed so
much light on the work that I am already involved in doing.  I fully
intend to use many of Ms. Pietro’s exercises with my future students
at Orange Coast College, and am very grateful to the CCA for making
this experience possible.