Question: What is the Advantage of a One-on-One Session with a Pilates Trainer?
Answer: If you have a back or neck condition, you are best off going for private instruction at a studio with an experienced teacher, or a clinic that employs physical therapists trained in rehabilitation Pilates. With group instruction, either at the gym or at a studio, there won’t be enough quality personal attention for you to learn the technique without the possibility of re-injuring your spine.
As a back pain sufferer, you want to be sure that you not only receive instructions on the principles of the Pilates workout, but that your questions are fully answered as well. There is an initial learning phase that requires mental focus on your part, and coaching on your teacher’s part, and is best accomplished one-on-one. The beauty of individual sessions will become apparent when you start releasing posture and movement habits that do not support the Pilates exercises.
You may also need modifications for some or all of the exercises. An experienced, certified instructor can set you up with ways to do the exercises so that you are working without pain.
Another reason for opting for one-on-ones with qualified instructors is that many newbie Pilates instructors and fitness generalists found at the gym don’t know the mind-body principles of Pilates well enough to apply them in cases of back or neck pain.
Finally, there are a number of licensed physical therapists who are getting trained in the use of the Pilates method for spine rehabilitation. Adding Pilates to their skill set allows them to offer a refined version of those aspects of the work that have proven to be viable when it comes to preventing and managing back pain. Thus, in the right hands, conventional knowledge of the body, combined with Pilates’ holistic approach, work together to give you an experience of movement that will likely reduce pain. A physical therapist/Pilates instructor can guide you through the phases of spine rehabilitation, from getting moving again through supporting your body through life’s challenging physical activities.
Sources:
Anderson B, Spector, A. (2000) "Introduction to Pilates-Based Rehabilitation" Orthopedic PT Clinics of
North America. Sept 2000.
Wilson, D. "Pilates Provides Effective Rehabilitation
for Both Body and Mind". Advance NewsMagazines. August 2005.
