Lolita San Miguel - Working with Seniors Workshop - Program

Introduction
“During our golden years, our bodies experience a loss of balance, a reduction in pulmonary capacity, circulation, flexibility, range of movement, coordination, slowing of reflexes, mental acuity and concentration. All of this sounds awful, doesn't it? But this can be much improved if not completely reversed by the correct application of the Pilates Method. It does require time, money, patience and the wisdom to take care of ourselves. Joe used to say, ‘Rome was not built in a day!’ And beware of those two deadly sins, sloth and gluttony.”
Lolita San Miguel

This workshop was originally presented at the Pilates Method Alliance Conference in 2007.

Overview of Program
The workshops objective is to teach a Pilates workout that is aimed to improve if not completely reverse the loss of balance, the diminution in pulmonary capacity, circulation, flexibility, range of movement, coordination, slowing of reflexes, mental acuity and concentration human beings experience in the Golden Years.

Course Objectives:
The workshop will demonstrate how to structure a simple Pilates workout for a group of seniors. It includes Pre-Pilates, Warm-Up and Post-Pilates Cool-Down with modifications. The workshop includes Body Walk which is based on Pilates principles and provides an upper body workout while walking.

Course Outline
(1) Structuring Pilates Workouts for Seniors
(2) Lolita's Body Walk
(3) Bonus Mat Class
(4) Bonus Body Walk Demonstration

Schedule

Session One:
This session will demonstrate how to structure a simple Pilates workout for a group of seniors, which will include Pre-Pilates, Warm-Up and Post-Pilates Cool-Down with modifications. Oriented towards the mature client concerned with a good quality of life who wishes to look and feel well, maintain and improve the mind-body-spirit connection inherent in the Pilates Method.

Session Two:
The workshop concludes with Lolita’s ‘Body Walk’, which was originally designed by Lolita for herself and her husband. Her husband loves to walk, but plain walking bores Lolita! So using the rhythmic pacing of the walk, she choreographed an upper body workout to be done while walking, which is not only physically challenging, but works your memory, coordination, breathing and concentration. Done in its full form, the workout lasts 30 minutes; however it can be tailored and adapted to the needs of any participant. It can be performed while walking out of doors, walking on a treadmill, seated on the physioball or seated on an armless chair. So it’s truly useful for anyone! This workout is now used in rehabilitation centres and nursing homes in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where Lolita has implemented this innovative program. It’s a workout that Lolita and her husband follow daily.

Session Three
Bonus Mat Class.

Session Four
Body Walk Demonstration. Lolita’s Body Walk is a wonderful way to do a healthy, low impact cardiovascular training with your clients. Add interest, variety and fun to your usual routine. This part of the course will be taught outside in the open air (weather permitting).