Pilates for Kids

With more exposure to Pilates as a form of exercise amongst the adult population, I find that there is also an increasing awareness for kids too, if they're typically involved in sports at school. 

In recent years, I have had the opportunity to train kids as young as 10 yo; and to my surprise, synchronized swimming has become such a popular sport with teenage girls, other than netball and volleyball. The boys are more into racket sports like badminton and tennis, or soccer. I mean, WHY NOT? At this age, kids should be out playing sport instead of facing the computer/ IPad.

Below illustrates briefly a child's motor skill development process:

But really, this post came about because today my client asked me for help about training her teenage girl who enjoys synch swimming so much, she wants to improve in her sport (O what tender age 💖) but has been really upset that whenever her coach tries to stretch her (like a reverse pancake), she cries in pain (poor girl). 

This is probably the 4th kid (whom I've encountered for water sports) and I honestly think kids these days have a mix sense of adult instincts to thrive and compete- well I didn't when I was that age HAHA. I think the beauty of synch swimming especially- it's a mix of the fun of gym, the aesthetics of dance, and the athletics of diving and playing in the water. 

I personally feel that while flexibility is a plus at that age, there's a need for purposefully guiding them to know and understand their bodies better. This would mean they can enjoy their sport(s) and stay off the injury zone. While I prefer to teach young adults past 16yo, I am equally glad to empower kids who start from zero to be inspired to participate in a sport and eventually get stronger. 🙂

Furthermore, as Celeste and Howard mentioned in this video (PLEASE WATCH!), 9yo is the peak of a kid's neurological state, and from experience, they really pick up movements fast. "Fun and interactive" is probably the most important element when structuring for a program for teenagers. 

In time to come, I think it will be pretty exciting to see how Pilates will eventually unveil a myriad of benefits and opportunities for kids and sports, and sports for kids, and more. Truly.

Pilates for Sports

It's been a pretty busy period juggling work, and planning for work- the latter involved more travelling and meetups than I had anticipated. But all's been well. I'm grateful for this experience. I think I've taken a huge step out of my comfort zone trying to pursue something that's true to my heart. 

I can't reveal much because there're still many unknowns although also many plans in the pipeline. Slowly but surely..

On a side note, time flies! It will be the end of August soon, and the event for endurance sports is this Saturday! Haha, friends are more excited than I am... They've already texted me that they can't wait! So blessed to have them support this venture, and also, it has been my hope for people to see how Pilates and sports training are actually complementary and WHOLE. 

 

In the hope that such initiative will follow through, I will be starting a class on Thursday evenings at 6pm at Ilies Soma Pilates studio at Holland Village.

TADAHHHH! PM for details, or email^^ mobility.fitness.pilates@gmail.com

xoxo

Strategies to train for Endurance Sports

I am really grateful that Jeri and COS Coaching Colin have agreed to do this event together.

I always believe that sports and Pilates are complementary to each other. Pilates shouldn't be done only after an injury arise, but as a maintenance of one's joint mobility and strength, and muscular elasticity. I am always very excited to explain to people the beauty of doing Pilates- well cos it's just so logical and useful. It's so sciency, I get nerdy. 🤣

So this is really an event I look forward to!! Also very thankful for clients who believe in me and share this same passion for the challenge of the sport. I really hope that this event will provide consumers (aka potential runners and triathletes, people who have left the sport for some reason..) with the knowledge to better prepare for their races/events.

Please click on the link to sign up!
http://ptix.at/Z4yiJC

31st August | Saturday | 2-5pm
Core Collective Dempsey
ONLY $20 for a reformer class (limited to 6 spots) and $12 for a mat class (limited to 15 spots)!

Thoughts

"...all Pilates teachers should find someone excellent to watch over and guide their own Pilates practice. This can be pivotal to the development of oneself and one’s teaching." 

~ Mary Bowen (Source: Pilates Anytime)

I couldn't agree more. I remember when I met Mary Bowen in her specialized "Pilates Plus Psyche" workshop organized in Singapore, I was the youngest in the room at the age of 27 (she guessed so too.) I was in the midst of finding myself, discovering the route that was ahead of me. I honestly hadn't imagined (or planned for) this journey, having graduated in a degree in Chemistry. 

"Don't fear because of your youth." She said, as we went through our individual personality types. "Don't be too hard on yourself if things don't work out the way you want them." 

7 years isn't too long at all. I've just passed the infant stage of my career. 

I'm grateful to have met Pat whom I look up as a teacher mentor, very fortunate to have her guide me and help me understand the true essence of Pilates- so many different schools, so many different styles... I'm still trying to find my style. It's always good to get understanding sorted, and simplified. I think I tend to complicate things...

The past week has been an opportunity to learn, and unlearn things. I can't imagine what else will unfold as we spend more time together.. So what is Pilates? How/what have we been taught, and how/what have we been teaching?

I am surely more inspired to understand better. Time really is in its essence. 
Who needs more time? ✋

Video Illustration

The importance of variation in human movement