Mind:Body Connection How Pilates Requires Both For Growth
I am sure that you have heard of the term “Neuroplasticity”. What does this mean? Neuroplasticity or brain plasticity, is the ability for the brain to change over an individuals’ lifetime. This can occur in many ways and provides many functions such with brain related injuries, with the weakening and strengthening of synapses, the change in proportion of grey matter, and the activity associated with a specific function changing location. The aim of neuroplasticity is to optimize the neural networks of the brain during many processes including physiological learning.
How cool is that?
We can strengthen synaptic connections, and optimize the neural networks of the brain for individuals through movement. Therefore, faulty movement patterns, weaknesses, imbalances that we see in clients extend much further than just selecting the “right” exercises for the individual in a Pilates session. We need to dive deeper into the process of learning movement for these clients so they can correct their movement patterns and have this optimization of neural networks!
This is where the science of Motor Learning and Control comes into play. For neuroplasticity to occur, it is important that we are teaching our clients these corrective movement patterns that they can replicate on their own. Otherwise, there is no real change occurring in their mind or their body. Therefore, just teaching clients with generic cues, having them run through a routine where they follow your every cue and command does not optimize their learning potential. They are missing out on a huge opportunity of beneficial change in their body. It all starts with the brain.
The brain is the command center to our entire body. It receives information from our environment, senses, and body and then sends the appropriate message back out to the body. When learning a new skill, it can be harder for that message to be sent out efficiently and correctly if our brain doesn’t have a strong neural mapping for it. This is where the practice of a skill and specificity of cueing and corrections is super important.
The way that we present corrections and communicate with our clients verbally influence this ability to learn a new skill and provide assistance for the client to make stronger neural connections in regards to producing the movement. There has been lots of research in the Motor Learning Field about augmented feedback and its impact on true learning of skills. There are specific ways that you as a teacher can manipulate your feedback you give to a client to increase their learning potential which will in turn help them to become a better mover overall, which is a goal for many of our clients that come to see us.
To me, Pilates is much more than just an exercise regime, and to get a flat strong core. It is a form of corrective exercise that forces the brain and the body to work in unison to create change. However, if we only address the body, and not the brain aspect of the movements we are missing out on an essential part of Pilates and on an opportunity for growth.
If you want to learn more on how optimize the learning potential of your clients check out the Kinexology Method Courses. All of the Kinexology Method courses are rooted in Motor Learning Theory research teaching you a “system” that will enhance the neural-plastic change in your clients. Your clients will thank you because they will have a stronger mind body connection that will lead to their goals being achieved!