By Constance Holder
Over the years, I have enjoyed the opportunity of participating in many of Rael’s workshops. Whether as a student, observer, participant, assistant or apprentice, I am forever honored to be part of such extraordinary work. Each has proved to be a deep learning experience and the most recent workshop, held at On Center Conditioning in Costa Mesa, CA, was no exception.
Mandy Wright with Rael
Rael focused his attention on the upper girdle /shoulder region, which is always a timely topic. Every instructor is familiar with the number one cue (heard in every studio and in every city) “lower your shoulders”.
Even though Rael has given a number of workshops (over the years) on shoulder mechanics or other related topics, this workshop provided a unique perspective on the way we recruit specific muscles and, perhaps most importantly, letting go of the idea that we must “pull the shoulders down”. This “forced” action (and subsequent tension), which can actually be counterproductive, provoked a very interesting and informative discussion amongst the group.
Marta Nichols with Rael
Saturday was sold out – filled with over thirty attendees. As usual, Rael packed the day with repertoire, variations and movements, specifically targeting his points of correct mechanics and dedicating time to the smaller (and often neglected) group of muscles of the rotator cuff. Demonstrating many of the exercises himself, Rael went through quite a list, including a cross strap series on the reformer, a variation of the scapula glide using the push through bar and roll up bar simultaneously, along with work on the barrel and wunda chair.
I suspect that many people thought Sunday might not be as pertinent, having been advertised as Avalon work. As it turned out, much of the repertoire presented was easily adaptable to other pieces of apparatus. We had a great time playing with the variations, and, with less repertoire, we had the opportunity to discuss, practice, and provide hands-on review of each of the movements from the previous day’s work as well.
Rael Demonstrating on the Cadillac
If you have the chance to attend one of Rael’s presentations (even if you have taken one on the same subject before), don’t miss the opportunity to delve deeply into unchartered territory. I assure you, it is never the same old thing, never tired or regurgitated material. Always fresh, invigorating and inspiring.
Thank you, Rael.
Constance Holder is a leading international educator for BASI Pilates®, a Principal Faculty member, BASI’s first Director of Education and a PMA board member.
By Rael Isacowitz
