I consider myself very lucky to have experienced the brilliance of Kathy Grant, one of the two instructors that Joseph Pilates certified to carry on his work, the second being Lolita San Miguel. When I was at the PMA Conference in Orlando a couple of years ago I was fortunate to have a relaxed half hour with her just shooting the breeze.
One of Kathy Grants gifts to Pilates is what she calls her song. A wonderful sequence of cues that helps you to teach the Pilates Method. Of course when I was listening to her speak about her song I was waiting for her to sing – never happened, but the cues are invaluable. Mind you that when I was in her workshop she is well into her 80’s and still very vibrant.
Her song begins:
1. Starting from the pubic bone visualize pulling up a zipper! Think as if you have a too tight pair of jeans, the kind we wore back in the 70’s. When you pull up the zipper you want to be very sure you do not catch a pubic hair. Don’t think how high you pull up the zipper, you will know when to stop.
2. Think Navel to spine – not straight back but rather aim the navel low down toward your spine. Think of putting a nail into the wall to hang a picture. The waist line in the back of most women is lower down than it is in the front. Think of that navel going to the lowest part of the waistline in the back. When you do this you will maintain your natural curves in the spine.
3. Think of a belt tightening around the waist. The belt for women will pass around the navel, for men a little lower down.
4. Tape Measure: Don’t move. Think of measuring around your chest just below the bust line like you were being measured for a dress. This will bring the ribs in. For me this facilitates rib cage breathing, or breathing into the back.
5. Vest: The vest is elegant and the focus is on keeping the chest lifted. This brings the shoulders down the back and leaves the breast bone lifted.
To this I like to add:
6. Suspenders: Keeping a connection between the lower part of the rib cage to the ASIS / Hip Bones.
These cues are very useful while teaching. Once your clients understand the cues you can say “Tape Measure” — “Vest” — “Zipper”….
I hope you find these views as valuable as I do. When ever I have a client come from New York to visit my studio in San Francisco and the student has been through teachers influenced by Kathy Grant I can use the cues easily to conduct the session.