pilates heals

This podcast has featured First Generation Pilates teachers, Second Generation teachers, authors, photographers, equipment owners and even a Pilates historian, but I’ve yet to feature just a regular guy who has taken a liking to the Pilates method. I thought it might be interesting for us to hear from a Pilates civilian, if you will, who also happens to be my BIL - brother-in-law, John Vignola or JV, as everyone calls him.

When I was healing from Covid, my sister and JV were so gracious in allowing me to recover at their house. On the days I felt strong enough, I’d work with JV and teach him some of the mat exercises and stretches to help him free up his chronic achy low back. As an lifelong athlete, beginning with high school and college gymnastics, JV spent decades weight training and body building. However, a sports injury he sustained over 28 years ago never fully healed, that is, until I introduced him to the Pilates mat work. Stunned by the immediate results, JV wanted more and joined one of my weekly mat classes.

For those of you who may have people in your lives that still think Pilates is really best suited for professional dancers or athletes, please have them listen to this interview. This episode is dedicated to just regular guys and gals, who if interested in devoting time and effort, will get tremendous benefits thru practicing the Pilates Method. You might say, this Method is your true friend with benefits!

Theme music: Soul Blues Piano Shuffle by Boom Zoom
For more information about Darien Gold: https://www.dariengold.com

Our guest today is Elizabeth Larkam, a Nationally certified Pilates teacher. Elizabeth has a very extensive background in human anatomy and physiology and used this knowledge to design Pilates programs for the center for sports and dance medicine at Saint Francis Memorial Hospital in San Francisco. From 1985 until 2000, Elizabeth helped countless patients return to health. She also helped to pioneer the Pilates Method Alliance® initiative called, “Heroes in Motion.” Through this experience, she was awarded the Medal of the Danish Society of Military Medicine in recognition of her efforts to improve the rehabilitation of wounded soldiers.In 2017, Handspring published her book, Fascia in Motion: Fascia-focused movement for Pilates. She has also written the Pilates chapter for another book, Fascia in Sport and Movement. If you’re one of the subscribers of Pilates Anytime, the educational online platform, perhaps you’ve seen Elizabeth in action in any of her 48 videos. She hosts the online webinars, ‘Moved to Learn!’ and "Pilates Applications for Health Conditions” for movement educators and manual therapists.

For more information about Elizabeth Larkam: elizabethlarkam@gmail.com
Theme music: Soul Blues Piano Shuffle by Boom Zoom
For more information about Darien Gold: https://www.dariengold.com

Special recording artist: Sukhawat Ali Khan
Facebook: sukhawatalikhan
Instagram:  alikhansdua

Today we have with us a very accomplished Pilates educator. His name is Rael Isacowitz and his Pilates certification program, BASI - Body Arts and Science International is dedicated to remaining true to art, science, and, most importantly, to the teachings of Joseph Pilates. With a reputation for innovation and academic excellence, BASI™ strives to provide the most comprehensive Pilates education experience and educational resources available.

For more information about BASI International: https://www.basipilates.com
Theme music: Soul Blues Piano Shuffle by Boom Zoom
For more information about Darien Gold: https://www.dariengold.com

I’d like to begin with a little story. The pelvic girdle is similar to a lead actor in a play. The lead actor sets the tone and calls the shots. But there is also the supporting cast, and just like with the supporting cast, in the body, there are the hands, arms, shoulders, head, the feet, shins, and thighs. But they don’t move correctly until they get their cue from the lead actor, or from what is our topic for today, the pelvic girdle. Joining me in the studio is my guest is Mercy Sidbury and she’ll explain about the anatomy of the pelvic girdle.

Original air date: May 13, 2018

Mr. Pilates developed his method in part, by observing feral cats and watching how their spines flexed and extended, and from those observations developed his mat repertoire. Eventually, medical professionals took notice especially, chiropractors. He would go on to share his method with the chiropractic community evidenced by a plaque which hung in his studio. It read: “This is to Certify that Joseph Pilates is awarded this appointment of merit in appreciation of his valued assistance in the presentation of the Post Graduate course of the Academy of Chiropractic, Inc.” 

Chiropractic is from the Greek, meaning “done by hand.” It is grounded in the principle that the body can heal itself when the skeletal system is correctly aligned and the nervous system is functioning properly. Joining us is Dr. Charles Zollner, a chiropractor, and he’s here to discuss in more detail the benefits of chiropractic care and its connection to the Pilates method.

Original air date: November 4, 2018