Uncertified by Beth Montanez

I'm angry about a very specific issue in the pilates industry. Uncertified Instructors!  As a certified instructor, I'm partly angry for selfish reasons, but even more so I am angry for every single person who is having the wool pulled over their eyes by those who want to cash in on the Pilates track record without investing in proper training.

I have experienced the amazing benefits of Pilates in my own body and in hundreds of client bodies. It is a truly unique workout that addresses so much more than just a layer of fat, a muffin top, a saddle bag, or jiggly arms. It creates an internal strength that cannot be faked, and cannot be duplicated with any other exercise. The problem with those benefits is that they are not achieved by going through the motions. The main difference between a properly trained instructor and someone who learned the exercises, is just that. One of them is teaching you to mimic a movement, another is instructing you how to move.

If you don't know that, you will accept any workout that someone calls "Pilates" as the real deal. And how on earth can you possibly know what you don't know? I'm mad that someone who didn't invest nearly $10,000 in their training gets to charge and earn the same hourly rate as instructors who did get educated.  I'm mad for every client who has paid $60 or more for a lesson that was a fraud. I'm mad for the reputation that creates for Pilates.

I’ve compiled five tips to help you weed through the instructors to find a qualified individual.

Tip 1 - Ask for the instructors certification. I've seen many websites claiming their instructors are certified, that they have taken extensive education and it is all fabricated. A truly certified instructor will have a certificate of completion from an accredited school, not a home-printed completion of apprenticeship. Many schools can be found at the Pilates Method Alliance website (www.pilatesmethodalliance.org).

Tip 2 - If your instructor was trained by another instructor and not through an actual course, it is pretty safe to say they do not have enough training to be able to provide a safe workout. Anyone can teach people an exercise routine, but it takes intensive study of anatomy and movement to teach proper use of muscles, how to recognize improper use, and assessment of unhealthy movement patterns. The core of pilates is lost when someone simply teaches you the exercises, and fails to instruct proper use of the body.

Tip 3 - Ask to see the instructors liability insurance. This is not fail-safe as there are agencies that will insure someone because they say they are certified without actually checking.

Tip 4- Try out several places and several instructors. This may not be a perfect answer either, but when you get a "good" instructor... they will be recognizable. Although, just having a legitimate certification doesn't automatically make you a good instructor either, so it just doesn't hurt to try several instructors anyway.

Tip 5- In my experience I've never heard a Pilates instructor tell a client to "feel the burn" or "push through the pain" or to rejoice over a severe soreness and claim that is an effective way to know you're getting results. If your instructor does anything similar to this, not a good sign.  Joseph Pilates himself states in his book that muscle fatigue is "poison. There is really no need for tired muscles." Even a contemporary instructor has studied Joseph Pilates original works in great detail, and this particular tip is a dead giveaway that you should head for the hills.

Using these five tips should get you much closer to the real Pilates that everyone raves about.

Beth Montanez is a certified instructor teaching Pilates in her West Seattle studio. She is currently studying for her Master Certification with the McEntire Method in order to offer a qualified national exam teacher training program. www.wseattlepilates.com

Has your studio benefited from using Groupon or Living Social?

I would love to hear some feedback from studios that have used a daily deal site.

The Heath Benefits of Pilates for the Elderly by Leslie Johnson

While Pilates exercises are a way for anyone of any age to strengthen their core and increase flexibility, it's particularly beneficial for those that are in their golden years. This is because Pilates can help alleviate the complications that are associated with old age, such as a loss in balance and flexibility; it can even help relive arthritis pain and inflammation without the use of heavy weights or exercising machines, which may add extra strain on the joints and muscles. With that said, below are some mild warm-up Pilates moves that senior citizens can do at home, gym or senior center.

Disclaimer: While it is proven that Pilates can provide many health benefits for senior citizens, it's best to discuss your new Pilates regime with your physician to makes sure that this form of exercise is ideal for your particular case.

#1 One-Leg Stance

This basic move while simple in instruction is great for strengthening your core and improving your balance.

Position: All one simply needs to do stand in an upright position, ensuring that the shoulders are back, the pelvis is in equal alignment, and abdominal muscles are squeezed. Keep arms relaxed at the sides of the body as weight is distributed evenly.

Action: While making sure that one is looking directly straight ahead, lift leg in front at a 90 degree angle and inhale. You should feel the air elongate through your spine. Place your hands on your hip bone and squeeze your gluts for added balance. Hold the stance for 5 seconds and then switch legs. If lifting your knee forward is too painful try lifting it at a 90 degree angle backwards instead. Use a mirror as a guide if you desire.

#2 Toe-and-Heel Rock

This move is designed to improve one's flexibility by encouraging blood flow to achy feet and legs.

Position: Like with the one led-stance, stand tall ensuring that your shoulders are back and that you weight is evenly distributed—your feet should be under your hips.
Action: Placing the weight on the balls of your feet, rock up and then slowly come back down on your heels. Constantly work to keep your body tall and straight, concentrating on only moving your feet and ankles. Place your hands on your hip bone for more support or use the wall. Continue to rock your feet and ankles for about 20 repetitions, or until you feel a warming sensation in your legs.

#3 Imprinted Spine

This last move is designed to help alleviate one of the main problematic areas of arthritis: the spine.

Position: Using a mat or firm pad, lie on the floor and raise your knees, arm should be by your sides. Your feet should be flat on the ground and hip-length apart. Carefully start concentrating on your breathing and squeeze your abdominals. As you exhale move your pelvis into a slight "tuck," lightly pressing your lower back into the mat. In hale and return to the normal position. Repeat this move about 5 times.
If the moves listed above still seem too strenuous, seniors can opt to participate in a less intense workout regime called "Chair Pilates." To get a better visual idea of how it works, parts one and two of the Stronger Seniors tutorial series are perfect examples of light Pilate moves senior citizens can do while in the comfort of a sturdy chair.

And remember, while one can in fact learn Pilates through a series of articles, books and instructional videos, seniors should definitely consider enrolling in a Pilates class with their peers at a senior center, Pilate's studios, gyms or YMCAs. Here, professionals will be able to make sure that you are doing the moves correctly. If an age-appropriate class does not exist, a beginner's class should suffice; just request that instructors make modifications to meet your needs.

Author Bio:
This guest post is contributed by Leslie Johnson, who writes about health, green living, parenting related articles at masters in health administration.