Madeline Black - Support the Arms

Madeline Black - Support the Arms Workshop

Join Madeline Black in person as she brings her compelling Support the Arms Workshop to Carpenteria, California.


Overview. Discover how to improve the ability of your clients to support their body with their arms. Weight bearing on the arms is challenging especially if the connection is weakened between the upper spine and hand. Madeline will lecture on the alignment, building strength, and dealing with issues along this chain, specifically the wrist to shoulder relationship. Also see how the wrist effects shoulder function, and its action when the elbow flexes and extends. Weight bearing Mat and Reformer exercises will be presented. Madeline will demonstrate how to progress into the more difficult Pilates weight bearing exercises.

Course Objectives. To understand the alignment, and simple bio-mechanics of how to support the arms in weight bearing Pilates exercises; Looking at the connection of the thorax, shoulder girdle through the arm to hand; Learn how the wrist functions in weight bearing; Address common issues with weight bearing with the arms; Learn a strength progression of modified mat exercises and build into full arm supported mat and reformer exercises.

Program Details

Hour 1. Lecture on anatomy, kinematics of the thoracic spine to hand; fascial relationship of the muscles of the shoulder girdle and arm; experiential time for observing the thoracic to arm, wrist position while in cat and learning to teach how to engage the whole arm.

Hour 2. Working on mat positions, quadruped to plank; side arm to Mermaid; Back; Support arms; Transfer the mat arm work to reformer.

Hour 3. Building a progression to develop strength for weight bearing on reformer using modifications; Knee Stretch series, Down stretch, Control Front; Progression for Star, Long Back Stretch, Control Back.

Target Audience. This workshop is intended for Pilates professionals. Pilates enthusiasts wanting to learn from a Master Teacher are welcome. Madeline will assume everyone in the workshop has extensive experience with Pilates.

Bonus Class. In addition to the workshop attendees will also be able to take a 45 minute movement class related to the workshop and taught by Madeline Black.

Continuing Education Credits (CEC). We expect to be able to award three Pilates Method Alliance (PMA) continuing education credits for this workshop. We have applied for approval to be allowed to award the CEC's and hope to know prior to January 14, 2012. Please do not count on receiving the CEC's.

Filming. This workshop and bonus class will be filmed by Pilates Anytime. As a result the workshop schedule may fluctuate according to filming requirements. Participants will have the choice of being on or off camera.

Breaks. Light snacks will be provided.

For more information please email us.