Inner IDEA® Conference 2008

If you know Lawrence, you know he's a lover, not a fighter. So the traditional "boot camp" format is not a part of his usual repertoire. Join us for a mindful approach to boot camp with an aggressive fusion of effective and intense applications from yoga, tai chi, Feldenkrais(R), GYROKINESIS(R) and Nia(R) inspirations.

Have you ever dreamed of starting your own body-mind business? Join us for an inspirational look at how you can create a niche for yourself by taking advantage of the multitude of opportunities that exist in our industry. Cathleen will share her inspirational journey into fitness and how it evolved into a thriving Pilates and GYROTONIC(R) studio. In addition, see how you can diversify and still manage to stay in the game for years to come.

This class will look at the sometimes challenging task for new teachers in helping clients bridge the gap between exercises in the Level I syllabus and the client's physical limitations. We will look at modifications that help trainers create intermediate steps, allowing them to move toward other exercises. Prerequisite: Attendees must be GYROTONIC(R) Level I certified trainers.

Chakras are the energy centers of the body and they can become congested or depleted due to physical, emotional or energetic duress. Utilizing Pilates movements, sound, breath and visualization, you can recharge, realign and strengthen your chakras while coming away with new teaching skills and ideas. Come for an experience of uniting your multilayered energy bodies.

There are numerous hatha yoga styles and each has its own particular focus and flavor. No matter what style you practice or teach, it is important to remember that each is intended to increase one's mind and body awareness. Blending yoga styles can bring a new sense of opening and connection to one's practice. This sampler session will introduce popular hatha yoga styles along with methods to blend them into creative and fulfilling class sessions.

Together, the Pilates Arc and Allegro create an environment that gently supports mobility of the spine in forward flexion, lateral flexion, extension and rotation. As you move beyond familiar reformer material, feel how the lungs cradle the heart and learn how the myofascial meridians functionally integrate the whole body. Knowledge of the myofascial meridians can lead to an appreciation of whole-body patterns of movement, compensation and strain distribution.

We hear the words all the time now, "the car buying experience," "the restaurant experience," "the fitness experience." We get it! We are in the age of the experience economy. But what can you really do with this theory and strategy? How can you make it real for your small business? You will understand the strategy as a basis for detailing a realistic plan for making it happen in your real-life business situation.

We know the core as the transversus abdominis, diaphragm, pelvic floor and multifidus. Understand how this group of muscles function as a team through fascial continuations. Experience why it is absolutely necessary to deepen the relationship between them as a unit in order to advance your Pilates practice. This workshop will teach you to find these major players individually and coordinate them synergistically.

Every day we twist, bend and move in a standing position, and not on our backs! Learn to use the reformer in a completely new way and create exercises that are functionally safe. Experience new exercises for the athletic client and the beginner. By utilizing props with the reformer, you will see how to move a client from instability to stability. This is a course for innovative thinkers.

Get your energy in motion and balance with this workout. From the moment the music begins and you start moving on the reformer, you can experience the synergy of your body working from its core. Let the springs provide the resistance and focus on centering your body and mind as you experience a totally new workout.

The focus of this movement workshop is to help you create a dynamic, energy-changing workout and how to use all of the Pilates tools. Learn how to make a class fun for you and your clients. Go beyond what you think you can do by incorporating visual tools (i.e., body-mind connection). Practice cues that your clients will respond to, but above all, have fun! Pilates experience is required.

Inner IDEA's panel of experts will engage in a mindful discussion on issues relevant to Pilates and what we can expect in the years to come. This session will report on the growth of Pilates, discuss the challenge of retaining qualified instructors, review the myriad of approaches and identify trends within this industry.

Essential to the practice of ashtanga yoga are two internal locks, or bandhas, which are distinct muscular contractions in the lower abdomen and pelvic floor. Sun salutations and asanas are carried out while maintaining these locks. Insightful cultivation and application of locks increases the intensity of the practice as well as its therapeutic and restorative aspects. Practicing with bandhas, we'll cultivate strength, lightness and clarity.

Discover the abundant vocabulary of small to large stretching and strengthening movements traditionally taught at the end of the reformer. This series is designed to progressively open the hips and give mobility to the entire lower body while challenging balance and control. Appropriate progression and programming for your students and classes are introduced.Your students will feel both accomplished and confident with the instruction tools obtained from this workshop.

Mat work, which forms the foundation of the Pilates method, is multi-faceted in it's possible uses. This session will deal with the mat work as a warm-up and conditioning routine for fit individuals and athletes. The Body Arts and Science(TM) (BASI) approach will be specifically used and addressed. The BASI Flow Sequence(TM) is pure and traditional, and at the same time contemporary. It offers a unique view of the traditional Pilates mat work.

Moshe Feldenkrais created nearly 1,000 awareness through movement (ATM) lessons, addressing every human function and area of the body. The learning process facilitated by this subtle form of retraining the nervous system is full of pleasure and unexpected delight. Discover how you can gently, yet powerfully transform your movement and that of your clients while investigating attention, self-image, intention and self-responsibility.

In ashtanga yoga, the standing postures are the foundational asanas. Cultivating proper technique in these asanas strengthens the feet, ankles, knees, legs, abdomen, spine and neck. They correct our day-to-day posture and enhance overall stamina, balance and well-being. Stable standing asanas heal weakness in the ankles and knees and also increase hip flexibility. These asanas are appropriate for all students.

Learn simple techniques using the foam roller and small balls to release tension, improve joint function and decrease pain.You and your clients will love the relaxation and release that come from these simple techniques.This workshop introduces the concept of myofascial release techniques for Pilates teachers and other body-mind fitness professionals.

When done correctly, the reformer does exactly what it says... it reforms the body. There will be a review of the basics, which is an imperative foundation to moving into intermediate and advanced reformer work. Being in control of the equipment, finding the powerhouse, developing rhythm and flow, smooth transitions and safety are a must in any studio. Participants will experience an intermediate to advanced workout, as well as discuss how students will benefit from the work and why.

Go deeper into the tools and skills of becoming a powerful facilitator.This session will provide insight and understanding of both yourself and the tools necessary to develop within the group dynamic, leading to productive results.

Let's connect the dots. Cognitive understanding of Pilates mat exercises does not produce profound results. Teaching to the body, bridging the gap kinesthetically and putting it in motion does provide results. Experience several fundamental exercises and critical connections, with exact cuing and touch techniques, to get a new awareness in your technique. This workshop is perfect for instructors who want to find fresh new connections.