Issue #455
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
Pilates Applications for Health Conditions by Madeline Black
There is little debate that Pilates helps heal people in so many ways. We often hear from new clients “Pilates is my last attempt of addressing XXX.” As Pilates teachers, we know Pilates works to help alleviate discomfort and potentially change health outcomes. Twenty first century ailments did not exist during Mr. Pilates time, such as long covid or joint replacements. Science and medical technology advanced exponentially since his time. We, as Pilates teachers, are faced with challenges ranging not only from locomotor conditions, as hip replacements but multisystem conditions such as multiple sclerosis. Today, people are living longer with dis-ease and/or physical limitations thanks to modern science and medicine.
with permission from Signing Dragon/Handspring publishers. Photo credit Cathy Stancil
Pilates teacher trainings do not include lessons on what is appropriate programing and how to progress someone living with complicated health conditions. The Pilates teacher is left with searching out answers and adapting what they know during a session. Pilates based research has its limitations. There are so many variables to the movement: how the movement is performed and the intent and purpose of the sequencing. What works for one person may not meet the needs of another with the same condition. The task of finding answers becomes daunting.
In 2018, Handspring Publishers approached Elizabeth Larkam and me to organize a book, ‘Pilates Applications for Health Conditions’, based on Pilates research and health conditions. We recruited 26 Pilates teachers who have expertise and experience in specific health conditions to contribute a chapter. Every contributor followed the same protocol, a case report format style. The chapters are designed with condition description, client health history interview, pre and post assessment and twelve sessions. Each chapter exemplifies how to tailor movement practices to specific situations, while providing actionable information to movement and health practitioners in clinical practice, studios, home practice and online sessions.
The first step to understand a condition is learning about the health condition, the causes, and symptoms. After understanding the condition, the focus can be directed toward the individual. Performing an interview of the person’s health history is important information gathering. The client’s story, possible multiple impairments and past traumas complicate their health. There is no one recipe for a health condition. The person’s experience is unique to their life.
Check out the book here and check out the longer press release below.
A Nationally Certified Pilates Teacher, Madeline Black’s life pursuit is the discovery of how the human body moves. Over 30 years in the field of movement, her curiosity has explored all aspects of movement in dance, Pilates, yoga, Gyrotonic®, fitness training, and, from studies of human biomechanics, applied biotensegrity, human cadaver dissection labs, and osteopathic and manual therapies.
Madeline developed the Madeline Black Method™, a movement method that improves function and strength based on intelligent assessments, manual techniques, and exercise sequences that help people achieve their fullest movement potential. Her extensive study and widely respected accomplishments in the field of movement and fitness have fueled.