Celebrate Pilates Day with an new Youth Innitiative

Today is Pilates Day! As I am hanging out with my daughter at Daisy camp outside of Gandby, CO -I am watching children at play, roller skating, rock climbing and archery to name a few. While noticing how girls navigate the new challenges given to their bodies, It is not surprising that as they grow and develop unnatural habits begin and lead to injury especially if they participate in sports. “Growth plate injuries account for approximately 30% of bone related injuries in children and adolescents(Caine, et al,2006). Injury to to the growth plate may lead to compromised bone development.”* It’s uncanny that I brought my brand new copy of [Pilates for Children and Adolescents.] As I read the forward I had the deep realization that we as Pilates teachers and parents have a great responsibility to bring the whole body conditioning and mindful movement practice to our children before they hurt themselves. Having attended a workshop by Brett Howard last May and seeing the absolute need in my own children I am planning on starting pilates for children with my own kids (11 & 7) this summer and in the future, teaching more children and adolescents the Mind Body practice of Pilates. I wholeheartedly encourage you all to do the same and to share your experiences, and lessons learned so that we all can start a movement of movement for our young people that will undoubtedly change their lives for the better and perhaps even motivate their parents to take care of their own bodies. Let’s celebrate this day and the value we have been given by our teachers and handed to them by Joseph and Clara Pilates with a new dedication to bringing Pilates to the youth.

*Pilates for Children and Adolescents Manual of Guidelines and Curriculum, Celeste Corey-Zopich, Brett Howard and Dawn-Marie Ickes