Core Breath Level 2- Dynamics

Core Breath Level 2- Dynamics
This is the 2nd installment of my core breath field report from earlier this year. The 3rd installment will apply to advanced strength training. I will be writing another report soon which will build on these fundamentals functionally as I have experienced in the field training, so stay tuned if you'd like to geek out with me :)

• Pfilates 101- Introducing dynamics

Once PFM release and contraction are mastered we can progress effectively to Pfilates 101 which introduces dynamic movement into core control and synergy. Seated and side lying core breath refine the form with a control that we do not have during dynamic movement, and therefore we have built functional memory to support the increased dynamics.

I typically begin with the lunge as it is an easy position to connect to. In a wide scissor stance my clients sync PFM work to the lowering into lunge and pressing up- inhale, release, lower; exhale, contract, press. I begin in an isometric stance introducing only one ROM at a time with the lunge itself.

Once the lunge sink and press with PFM control is mastered, the pulse is introduced. I direct the clients to keep the pulses/breaths “explosive” and fast- they can pause in between pulses to start in order to think about syncing the PFM. Typically as a client works towards pulse control they report hitting “1 but not 2 and 3”, or “1 and 3 but not 2” or some such combination. I experienced this also. Eventually they will connect with all 3 pulses and we then work towards taking out the pauses in between.

As clients progress we move into a reverse pfilates lunge pulse- the step back has both increased form and pelvic stability control benefits than the step forward! Increasing dynamics with the reverse lunge is a steady progression in improving core autonomic function.

Once the complete lunge pulse has been mastered additional pfilates exercises can be added with each session for variation and to the direction of client preference and best form.