Dear Siri,
I have knock knees and when I bring my legs together in parallel my knees touch, but of course my feet don’t. Even when I am in turn out, it still is uncomfortable having my legs and feet together. I do put a ball between my ankles for some of the exercises, but are there any other things that I could do to help with this problem. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Sincerely, Gina
Dear Gina
You should never do anything uncomfortable. We do change the regular positions when there is a condition. Working parallel with the feet underneath the hips is a better idea; it’s better to work from the powerhouse down then from the feet up, so don’t worry about turning out with the heels together, you can’t. You can turn out with the feet apart though. Go back to what the purpose of the exercise is, to correct, not to achieve perfection, and work on one leg at a time, focusing on the inner thigh muscles, tracking the knee, squeezing the gluteus. Props are fine, but I like to feel the VMO muscle to see if the person is contracting or not.
Siri
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We interrupt the normally scheduled program to give a short anatomy lesson, the reason being that I had no idea what the VMO muscle was, and thought there might be one or two of you who also were clueless. Sit back, relax and be informed:
VMO = Vastus Medialis Oblique
The vastus medialis muscle is one of four quadriceps muscles. It is located on the inner part of the front of the thigh. It attaches to the medial aspect of the femur and runs along the inner front down to the base of the patella, or kneecap, via the quadriceps tendon and by the patellar tendon onto the tibal tuberosity. The lowest part of the vastus medialis, called the vastus medialis oblique (VMO), achieves its maximum contraction during full extension. The vastus medialis works along with the vastus lateralis to stabilize the kneecap. The VMO helps to keep the kneecap in its grove, which is located on the lower part of the femur, by pulling it inwards. The vastus medialis muscle, along with the other quadriceps muscles, also extends the leg at the knee to a straightened position.
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And now back to Siri
Dear Siri,
I would like to present a more in depth look at your BB Intensive in my magazine because I believe in what you are doing and know that people can benefit from your work. Please give your view as to why one should make the effort to attend.
Brett
Tired of bad weather!?!?!?! Big Bear has 300 cloudless days a year, no smog, pine forests and sharp air…….AND……the original Classical Pilates Intensives!
Come, keep up, and you’ll be kept up! This year I designed the learning schedule listening to the concerns of earlier participants about conflicting classes, and I only have one presenter at a time for you, with breaks to give the body and mind time to adapt.
There are many visiting teachers to Big Bear; I’ve gotten chili from
New Mexico, wine from northern California, and coconut oil from Guam. Love these teachers who work for themselves and their clients, who deepen their knowledge rather than look to belong somewhere. Their emotional and social security give me hope for the future…they follow the teachings but don’t worship a teacher or group.
For this August’s Big Bear Festival, the air and the care is worth the drive! Save some dollars by carpooling or renting a group house. Fly into Las Vegas, Orange County, Ontario Internationalor LAX and let your family vacation’
Students, teachers, beginners, boxers, gymnasts, healer are invited. All styles of equipment owners and backgrounds are welcome. And as always, there is nothing to join, no one to follow.
Siri
Siri and Carrie Macy teaming up again in California for Big Bear 2014.
Dear Jay,
May name is Brett Miller, from Stockholm, Sweden. I have an inbox magazine called Pilates Intel. We have some mutual friends. One is Fredrik Prag here in Stockholm. And another is Siri. Can you please take a few minutes to tell me what is it about Siri’s BB intensive that draws you there to teach as part of the staff? And can you please describe how you find the event to be unique?
Have a great day.
Brett
Hello Brett,
Siri’s Big Bear Intensive is unique in many ways, not the least of which is the location. The setting could not be more beautiful with the lake and all of that nature just waiting to be enjoyed. And the fresh air! Since I live in L.A. the drive for me is in itself a vacation.
Everything Siri does is unique, and her intensives are no exception. She manages to make everyone feel like the most important person there, no matter what their background or where they are from. If you are a new student or an experienced professional you are equally welcomed and equally cared for. She definitely does the Intensive for the attendees, and not for herself. There is no favoritism – everybody is her favorite! – and thankfully, no politics.
My relationship with Siri goes back many years, and it has always been a happy one. She is a very unique (that word keeps popping up!) individual. She has great passion for life and great passion for her work. Whatever she does she does all the way. I don’t think she would waste her time on anything she did not believe in passionately. She is a woman who has lived her life fully, with great curiosity and a tremendous desire to learn and help others. She has already crammed a few lifetimes of experience into her young life. When you are with Siri you can never be quite sure what she will do or say, but I guarantee it will never be boring!
Siri puts a great deal of thought into her Intensives, especially who she invites to teach. I am always pleased and honored when she asks me to be a part of anything she does. And because she chooses so carefully and wisely, I always learn so much by being a part of it and experiencing the other teachers.
Hope this Helps you!
Brett. I will be out of the country for the rest of May, but let me know if I can be of any further assistance.
Please say hello to Fredrik if you see him, and I look forward to meeting you.
All best, Jay
Cellist Peggy Baldwin accompanies Jay teaching Big Bear Mat, 2013.
SiriDharma Gallianois one of the leading Pilates trainers in North America and Europe. She is a renowned New York Pilates instructor with over 20 years of experience, she has trained actors on location in feature films such as The Matrix 2, The Matrix 3, Batman, and the Kill Bill films. In addition to her studio and film work, Ms. Galliano has traveled the world helping to sculpt the bodies of celebrity clients such as Madonna, Sting, Uma Thurman, Cameron Diaz, Carrie- Anne Moss and Jessica Lange.
Ms. Galliano’s unique approach to fitness brings students an awareness of Pilates techniques and health traditions regardless of their age or physical condition. Her instruction incorporates a combination of focus, joy and a refreshing sense of humor.
Would you like complete information about the Big BearIntensive? You can find thathere.