News
Is there a role for Pilates in improving pregnancy quality of life and preventing birth trauma?
“Change happens through movement and movement heals” Joseph Pilates Is there a role for Pilates in improving pregnancy quality of life and preventing birth trauma? Every Pilates instructor would know that Joseph Pilates was a great advocate for inspiring change in one’s lifestyle to improve one’s quality of life. He passionately affirmed that change happens through movement and that movement is important for healing. The childbearing year, is one of the most profound events of change to a woman’s physical, mental and spiritual dimensions of self. Although pregnancy is a normal physiological event, the pregnant woman may confront and navigate…
Diastasis Awareness Month
Being diastasis rectus abdominis awareness month, we thought we would delve into this subject. What is Diastasis rectus abdominis or DRA for short? Diastasis is the separation of parts of the body that are normally joined. In this case, the separation of the rectus abdominus down the midline (at the linea alba) and causes separation, bulging or trenching in the abdominal area. It is considered a medical condition when the separation of the rectus abdominis is more than 2cm when measured in the navel area. Who is at risk? It is generally caused by pressure in the abdominal cavity. This occurs: in…
BMS Insurance Navigating risk as a Pilates Professional: What to consider
Pilates professionals have an important role in supporting clients’ physical health and wellbeing, however it’s important to understand that, like any professional health practise, there are risks. In this article, the Pilates Association Australia’s (PAA) insurance partner, BMS, takes a closer look at the common areas of risk to consider as a Pilates professional. Does Ahpra regulate Pilates professionals? Pilates professionals in Australia are not regulated by Ahpra like registered allied health professionals, such as physiotherapists or podiatrists. However, Pilates professionals may be required to adhere to any relevant standards and guidelines outlined in their role: the PAA provides Scope…
Kate Shelby-James, Bringing Pilates to Farming Communities
This week the PAA is putting the spotlight on an innovative and inspiring community outreach program Pilates for Farmers now titled Core Strength- Pilates for Rural Living developed by PAA member Kate Shelby-James. Congratulations to Kate for developing this program to address the needs of her rural community. Having grown up on a farm in the Barossa Kate understands the challenges of rural life. The program has been running for 2 years and this year Barossa Pilates has partnered with BIGG (Barossa Improved Grazing Group) to revamp the program and provide subsidies for many farmers. This is a wonderful project…
Moving Beyond Toxic Culture – Part 2
See Part 1 Welcome to part 2 of this 2-part series on toxic fitness and diet culture, the Health at Every Size® (HAES®) paradigm and trauma-informed practice within the Pilates industry. Part 1 introduced this series and focused on the issues of toxic fitness and diet culture. Part 2 on the other hand is more solution-focused by covering HAES® and trauma-informed practice. Health at Every Size® (HAES®) The HAES® principles prioritise ensuring safe and fair healthcare access for individuals irrespective of their size, health condition, or health intentions (ASDAH n.d). HAES® is against weight-centric care and advocates for an…
Moving Beyond Toxic Culture – Part 1
Intro Welcome to part 1 of this 2-part series on toxic fitness and diet culture, the Health at Every Size® (HAES®) paradigm, and trauma-informed practice within the Pilates industry. Several years ago, if you had asked me what these topics were about, I would have responded blankly. Today, now in recovery from an eating disorder and mental health challenges, I am well educated on the content and see them in two categories. The first category relates to problems within the Pilates industry such as toxic fitness and diet culture. The second involves solutions to these problems such as trauma-informed practice…
7 Valuable Tax Time Tips
With the end of the financial year fast approaching, we’ve gathered a list of tips and advice to help you at tax time. 1. The three Golden Rules (know what you can claim) Apply these golden rules when claiming business expenses to help get it right: The expense must have been for your business or related to your work as an employee – not for private use – which you haven’t been reimbursed for. If the expense is for a mix of business and private use, you can only claim the portion that is used for your business. You must…
AUSactive Survey Response
You may have seen the recent release of draft guidelines for Pilates by AUSactive. These have been compiled without input from the Pilates Association Australia. I have been in discussion with AUSactive and it has been strongly recommended that the PAA be represented on the stakeholder group. I have not heard back as yet whether this will happen. AUSactive have released the draft guidelines for public comment. Our members can respond directly to the draft by clicking this link: https://survey.ausactive.org.au/zs/oqCBLC Alternatively, you can provide feedback to the PAA and we will collate the information and provide it to AUSactive. Please…
Advice from the Experts: BMS Insurance
Record keeping for Pilates professionals When it comes to recalling past events, you can’t always rely on your memory. Notes are a more reliable source of truth when recalling past incidents as memory can be influenced by time and other factors. They can also be useful when managing a claim. In this article, Scott Shelly and Ashlee Sherman of Barry Nilsson Lawyers explain why effective note-taking and record-keeping is important in the field of Pilates and how to maintain adequate clinical notes. BMS explains how detailed notes can assist with a claim. What is effective note taking and why…
Book Review: Move Free From Pain by Joanne Sutton
The author, Joanne Sutton, has made movement her life. Starting in childhood, she was active in gymnastics, tennis, netball, ice skating, swimming, trampolining, and dance. After running a successful dance school for 5 years, Joanne became ill with glandular fever and then eventually went on to be diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome. After finding Pilates through a friend, Joanne was captivated by the health benefits and became an advocate for Pilates due to her life-changing experience; from chronic fatigue syndrome and being bedridden for weeks to trying Pilates and feeling stronger and fitter than ever before. Joanne’s mission with this…