Wednesday, April 1, 2020
Shifting Stances
by Penelope Shure
Pilates stance was the first position I learned in the first Pilates session I ever took, 20 years ago. Footwork on the reformer, heels together, toes apart but not too far apart like ballet first position as I automatically went into. I was told that Joseph Pilates created this position when he was working with German soldiers after WW1 because he found it to be the easiest position to maintain while standing guard for long periods of time. I was also told that if I had to spend a lot of time standing, at work or in line, that this position was the one to use. As I became more comfortable with Pilates, I began to understand the “sole to spine” connection, powerhouse engagement, ground reaction force and how I could achieve stability, balance, core strength, and efficient breathing all by adopting this one position.
I began teaching Pilates in 2003. Most of the time, before a student left my studio after their session, I would reinforce this position as well as standing in neutral first position parallel with a Pilates intention – just to make sure that they walked out with the same somatic awareness that they had found during mat work on the floor. I think one of the beautiful things about the Pilates method is that it translates into your life. Find it in your body and increase your strength with the exercises, use your mind as you concentrate on the work, and ease your spirit with the flow that alignment and breathing allows. This connection is not limited to a studio setting – especially when we teach how to bring it vertical.
One of my bigger visions has always been a way to share this work with a wider audience and perhaps people who needed a Pilates practice but didn’t want one in their lives for any number of reasons. It occurred to me that the principles and benefits of Pilates, if applied to a traditional corporate workplace setting, could add tremendous value on many levels and that is how “Shifting Stances” has been evolving over the past 2 years.
I hypothesized that people who didn’t have time or access or even a desire to bring a Pilates practice into their lives on their own time might appreciate the benefits of having it carefully integrated into their workplace environments. This could potentially lead to a host of positive changes that allow for the ability to take in more information and be more productive while having more energy, insights, stamina, and less pain and/or days off due to physical and emotional stress.
I was hired by Changing Tastes to facilitate meetings, observe alignment and integrate movement awareness and adjustments into corporate settings. For some, we begin with a PowerPoint presentation (like the one linked below) that gives a quick outline as to why we are adding in movement education to a setting that normally demands long hours of sitting and going over details. I always try to give reasons that allow participants to understand why the movement adjustments I teach are beneficial; but, to be honest, the alignment tweaks and Pilates stances have such an instant impact on how people are breathing, sitting and standing that my explanations aren’t that necessary. I find that they let their guards down just enough to relax in their minds and feel a new level of comfort in their bodies.
I invite you to take a look at the Shifting Stances PowerPoint presentation (see below) and see if there are ideas that may inspire you to elaborate on the Pilates Principles of stabilization, concentration, control, breathing and full range of motion as you teach or enhance your own practice. One of the wonderful things about Pilates is that you are never “done” and there is always another day to get stronger and enjoy the benefits that these exercises provide in a practical ADL (activities of daily living) kind of way. For example, standing upright in the Pilates Stance may evolve into standing on one foot to provide ankle, leg, and hip to core connection and strength that helps to improve balance and prevent falling in an aging population. (Those of you who are familiar with my work know that I am interested in fracture prevention and do a lot of modifications for people who have osteoporosis.)
There are several ways to provide safe and gentle strengthening exercises in one of my Shifting Stances workshops and potentially open a discussion in a workplace setting where people already feel comfortable in participating. Strength of body creates parallel strengths in mind and spirit when that is the intention. The “Pilates” inferences may not be apparent to people who are new to Contrology. However, I invite you to take a look and use this is a template for sustainable wellness that can help to motivate everyone who lives and works in our current tech-heavy environments!
My goal is to help people be and feel happier in their jobs and empower them not to be stuck in painful positions, physically or mentally. I hope that this initial introduction for most of them to the benefits of Pilates exercises will empower them to find a studio in their hometowns and begin a lifelong practice that will enable them to experience the “fountain of youth” benefits that Pilates brings. For more information on Shifting Stances or Changing Tastes go to: www.shiftingstances.com or www.changingtastes.net.
Penelope Shure began her Pilates teaching career in 2004 in upstate New York. She teaches specialty workshops which provide continuing education credits for PMA members & private sessions by appointment in her Albany studio. She has been a guest presenter at the Meeks Method Annual conferences in Sundance, Utah, and Baltimore, MD and recently co-taught a course on “Dynamic Movement Solutions” with Sara Meeks, PT in Lenox, MA. Her Gentle Pilates and Gentle Dance videos for bone health have been featured in Margie Bissinger, PT’s “Happy Bones Happy Life” program and on the NBIhealth.com website where Dr. John Neustadt recommended them to his osteoporosis patients. She taught as an adjunct professor for the College of St. Rose in their Physical Education Department in 2017 and is writing a book on how to integrate Pilates as Physical Education into movement education courses. She teaches her Gentle Pilates class weekly at Albany Dance & Fitness.
Penelope was born in Syracuse, New York and began training in tap, jazz and ballet at the age of five. She attended Syracuse University, receiving a B.A. in fashion design that brought her to New York City in 1984. There she continued her dance training at Steps & Broadway Dance Center where she was first exposed to Pilates. She taught dance to children and adults and began her formal Pilates training in 1999 while she was busy as a stay at home mom to her two sons, now 20 & 22. In 2004 she completed the Power Pilates NY Intensive certification program and was certified through the Pilates Method Alliance in 2010. She is a Meeks Method osteoporosis exercise specialist and trained extensively through Pilates Therapeutics in foot, scoliosis and performing arts specialization with Dr. Suzanne Martin. She loves working with dancers and people of all ages.
Penelope is a former National Osteoporosis Foundation support group leader and served as a Patient Advocate for “Strong Voices for Strong Bones on Capitol Hill” speaking to NYS elected officials to raise awareness for osteoporosis, bone health & the need to access quality healthcare, bone density testing & increase research funding in 2009. She served on the Eli Lilly & Company’s Mobility Advisory Board in 2009-10 and was a featured bi-monthly blogger for “Better Bones, Holistic Health & Fitness” for the Albany Times Union between 2013-2015.
In her spare time Penelope loves to hike in the Berkshires and take ballet classes. This along with safe Pilates helps her maintain strong bones!