Teaching Pilates for Healthy Backs: Interview with Rebecca Leone

Back injuries are the most debilitating and at the same time common injuries of the modern society. Poor body alignment, sedentary lifestyle as well as inefficient body mechanics contribute to the fact that about 80% of adults experience lower back pain at some point of their lives. Eliminating or preventing back pain is one of the top reasons why people start doing Pilates.

Modern research proves the efficacy of the Pilates method to treat and prevent back pain. However, findings published by Professor Stuart McGill of the University of Waterloo in Canada show that traditional core strengthening exercises that involve loaded spinal flexion can and will eventually lead to back injuries. To learn more about professor McGill’s teachings please read Pilates for Healthy Backs: Teach Safely, Work Out Wisely. That is why it is important to teach Pilates (or any other fitness modality for that matter) with safe spine flexion techniques in mind. This is the only safe way to gain all the benefits of Pilates and enjoy a pain-free back.

Today I am talking to Rebecca Leone, a Pilates educator whose mission in life is educating the Pilates community about safe spine teaching techniques. So open your scratchpad or Evernote and start taking your notes as you listen to this interview. There is a lot of information to digest!

In this podcast we will discuss the following questions:

1. What makes Pilates a valuable tool in protecting the spine?
2. How to teach Roll-Up (and other exercises with trunk flexion) safely.
3. 5 best Pilates mat exercises to teach proper core engagement in a safe way.
4. Exercises in the classical Pilates repertoire that should be eliminated completely to protect the spine.
5. How to use the principles of safe spine teaching to strengthen and protect the spine.
6. how to cue core activation without overengagement of Rectus Abdominis or Transverse Abdominis

Recommended Reading:

1. No-Risk Abs: A Safe Workout Program for Core Strength, Blandine Calais-Germain
2. No-Risk Pilates: 8 Techniques for a Safe Full-Body Workout, Blandine Calais-Germain
3. Ultimate Back Fitness and Performance, Stuart McGill
4. Low Back Disorders: Evidence-Based Prevention and Rehabilitation, Stuart McGill

If you have any questions please ask them in the comments below or post them on our Facebook page.