Heartsong Pilates

07/25/2025

Waiting patiently for my Pilates friends

06/07/2025

👣 What: Creating awareness of the inside of your ankle bones (medial malleoli) during the Pilates Footwork (and way beyond).
The medial malleolus is a bony prominence located on the inner side of the ankle. It’s actually the lower end of the tibia (shin bone) The ankle joint is where your shin bone (tibia), calf bone (fibula) and talus bone meet. It joins your foot to your lower leg.

👣 How:

1. 🧠 👀 Visual - I use the image of on small egg between the ankle bones that is gently held without cracking for dropping

2. 🗣️ Verbal - “down on the baby toe up on the big toe” (‘toe’ in this case is the metatarsal head/ball of foot)

3. 👐 Tactile - I place my first two fingers (bent) between the bones and ask the student to maintain steady, even pressure on my fingers throughout movements in Footwork I and IV (this is how Romana taught me). This is more effective than a ball, pillow or pads for maintaining even, discernible pressure.

👣 Why: ankle bone position plays a vital role in maintaining balance and stability during standing, especially on uneven surfaces. enables the foot to adapt to various terrains and absorb shock. Affects the knees and hips and positioning can stimulate more activity through the powerhouse muscles (glutes, abdominals and adductors).

👣 Where: Everywhere in the system where there is weight being transferred through the ankle. Also helpful to propriocept in non-weight bearing exercises (eg The 100, etc)

❓Is this part of your Pilates practice and teaching toolbox?
❓Do you have additional ways of guiding this awareness?
❓Have you been in session with me and felt this work - if so, can you comment on its effectiveness below?

Let me (+ your students and colleagues) know in the comments!

05/18/2025

03/03/2025

Heartsong celebrates another successful year, 13 years total for me as the owner! My journey has been filled with valuable connections and cherished friendships that have become like family. I look forward to more years helping my clients stay healthy and keep them moving!!! Keep breathing!!!

02/18/2025

True,,,

02/14/2025

Happy Valentine’s Day to all my  fabulous Pilates people! Sending lots of love! Keep breathing!