Pilates Applications for Health Conditions, Vol. 1: Multi-System Conditions

Chapter 1: Research in the Pilates field

Chapter 2: History of case reports in Pilates

Chapter 3: Assessment in Pilates

Section 1: Musculoskeletal Conditions

Chapter 4: Kyphosis

Chapter 5: Stenosis

Chapter 6: Joint dysfunctions

Chapter 7: Spinal asymmetries

Chapter 8: Joint replacements

Chapter 9: Hypermobility

Section 2: Neurological Conditions

Chapter 10: Parkinsons

Chapter 11: Spinal cord injury

Chapter 12: Brain injury

Section 3: Endocrine Conditions

Chapter 13: Diabetes Type 2

Chapter 14: Metabolic syndrome and weight control

Section 4: Cardio-respiratory

Chapter 15: Heart disease

Chapter 16: Respiratory conditions

Section 5: Autoimmune Conditions

Chapter 17: Multiple Sclerosis

Chapter 18: Lyme disease

Section 6: Cancer

Chapter 19: Breast cancer

Chapter 20: During cancer treatment

Chapter 21: Cancer survivors

Section 7: Pilates through the lifespan

Chapter 22: Childhood obesity

Chapter 23: Adolescence

Chapter 24: Rectus diastasis

Chapter 25: Pelvic floor

Chapter 26: Bone health osteoporosis

Chapter 27: Ageing well

Section 8: Mental Health Conditions

Chapter 28: Anxiety and panic attacks

Section 9: Pain

Chapter 29: Pain science

Pilates Applications for Health Conditions – Case Reports and Perspectives is a pioneering book that addresses the history of research in Pilates practice and explains the challenges of conducting Pilates research.

Movement is recognized as a therapeutic necessity for health and quality of life. However, optimal movement practices specifically tailored for each health condition have not been thoroughly addressed. Case Reports contributed by expert Pilates practitioners in this 30-chapter book illustrate in detail how Pilates movement sequences affect gait, balance, functional movement and quality of life.

The editors of the book, Madeline Black and Elizabeth Larkam, introduce each chapter’s case report, explaining how the health condition is appropriately addressed in the Pilates environment for safety, efficacy and scope of practice.

The book is intended as a reference for all Pilates teachers, continuing education providers and teachers-in-training. It delivers information immediately applicable to Pilates practitioners at work in clinical practice, fitness studios, home studios and on-line education. All movement educators and manual therapists will appreciate the rigor of the case report design and the techniques that customize Pilates whole-body movement sequences for each client.

The book documents state-of-the-art Pilates applications for health conditions that were in effect prior to the Covid-19 global pandemic. Then continues to chronicle the changes required as Pilates instruction adapted to on-line formats and evolved to in-studio instruction following public health guidelines for physical distancing, use of masks, gloves and extensive sanitization of the studio environment.

Madeline Black’s life pursuit is the discovery of how the human body moves. This encompasses the creation of movement techniques based on Pilates, Yoga and Gyrotonic; the integration of manual work into the movement experience; and through her training of other teachers, helping others to sustain movement capacity throughout their lives.

Her extensive study and widely respected accomplishments in the field of movement and fitness have fueled her rise as an international leader in training and certification of Pilates instructors. Worldwide, her name is synonymous with the highest level of professional pursuit in the teaching and practice of Pilates. She has authored certification training manuals and many articles for industry magazines and online.

Madeline Black’s first extensive book covering the range of her work will focus on biomechanics combined with personal stories and solutions through movement. Her book will be a source for all movement teachers and non-teachers, who will find its use invaluable in understanding their own body and for improving personal practice.

Elizabeth Larkam is internationally recognized as an innovator of movement education.

She was awarded the Medal of the Danish Society of Military Medicine in 2010 in recognition of her efforts to improve the rehabilitation of wounded soldiers. The Pilates Method Alliance initiative Heroes in Motion was inspired by Elizabeth’s work with clients experiencing severe impediments to motor control. She created the Balanced Body continuing education course, ‘Movement Strategies’ to prepare Pilates teachers to provide effective instruction for these clients

As a Dancemedicine Specialist at Center for Sports Medicine, Saint Francis Memorial Hospital 1985-2000, Elizabeth created Pilates protocols for orthopedic, spine and chronic pain diagnoses. And as Director of Pilates & Beyond for Western Athletic Clubs, 2000-2010 she developed the internationally acclaimed Mind & Body Center within The San Francisco Bay Club where she served as Pilates & Yoga Director.

Elizabeth began her Pilates studies in 1985 while teaching dance at Stanford University, where she had received her bachelors and master’s education. A Gold Certified Pilates Method Alliance teacher, she was educated by the first generation Pilates teachers. Elizabeth co-founded and co-owned Polestar Education. When Balanced Body Pilates Education was founded in 2004 she became a Master Teacher and Mentor, conducting courses throughout the world. Elizabeth is a Feldenkrais® practitioner, Franklin Method teacher, Gyrotonic® and Gyrokinesis® instructor. She is qualified in Gyrotonic® II and Gyrotonic Specialized Equipment.

Elizabeth authored the chapter ‘Fascia oriented Pilates Training’ for the book Fascia in Movement and Sport edited by Robert Schleip (2015). She has worked as a Pilates Specialist with the San Francisco Ballet and Cirque de Soleil, a lecturer at the University of San Francisco in Exercise and Sports Science, a lecturer at San Francisco State University in Dance, Fitness Editor for PilatesStyle and as a Reebok Master Trainer. She is a media spokesperson for the American Council on Exercise.

Since 1992 Elizabeth has created instructional DVDs for fitness, therapeutic, education and home markets. As program director of Balanced Body Pilates, she developed the instructional video series that launched the Pilates Allegro Reformer and created a range of programs. Elizabeth is a Distinguished Instructor on Pilates Anytime with 14 programs on www.pilatesanytime.com. She choreographs and performs with PilatesPerformance. Her podcasts and the dance that launched Allegro 2 are on www.pilates.com. Elizabeth’s instructor education workshops are on www.fusionfitnessonline.com.