Breath

Breath is one of Contrology's (what Joe Pilates called his exercise method) fundamentals. It is also one of 6 Pilates principles adhered to by any competent Pilates teacher today. Joe taught that life began with an inhale and ended on an exhale. Master teacher Kathy Corey remarks that life longevity is simply always following an inhale with an exhale.

One of my clients recently observed that he would have to learn how to breath all over again in his study of Pilates. It is likely that we all need to learn how to breath again to enhance our feelings of vitality and well being.

Mary Bowen shared that we are all "sipping and sucking." These are really tied to infantile behaviors and they prevent us from optimally oxygenating the body. Ron Fletcher and Pat Guyton teach me that the inhale must be so filling as to press the ribcage out to the sides and back, that the exhale returns the ribcage to so that it encircles the spine and organs. The chest should lift rather than the shoulders and the belly does not protrude. Ron admonishes, just as Joe did, that the inhale should match the exhale in depth and length.

Breath isn't something attended to when one is meditating, relaxing or exercising. Breath is the physical expression of life. Breath is literally life.

Stylists benefit from developing a greater awareness for symmetrical movement of the ribcage and lungs while breathing. Asymmetry, or breath filling one side of the lungs more than the other, hinders fully oxygenating the body. It is possible that breath function is inhibited by the routine forward bending and flexed rotating Stylists engage in as they dress hair. The result can be mental and physical fatigue and it may contribute to other health concerns as well. Stylists experience relief from job stress when they incorporate deep inhalations and exhalations between clients and during breaks, very much like a yoga student at the end of a class.

Really breath today.
Really feel the ribcage open and close in symphony with the lungs expanding and contracting.
Inhale.
Exhale.

Synergy Studio

Starting in December, Carolyn Bell will be teaching Pilates Matwork at the Synergy Studio, located in the Pearl Street Brewery complex. Classes will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11 am.

Carolyn will also be conducting a 6 week Introduction to Pilates Matwork on Tuesdays beginning in January from 12 - 1:30 pm.

Please visit the Synergy Studio link above for more details or email inquiries at pilatesforstylists@gmail.com.

Tool Maintenance

Properly maintained tools are as important to a healthy Stylist body as incorporating proper posture and alignment practices. The reason is that poorly maintained tools requires you to use more effort and work inefficiently and less productively.

A few suggestion about stylist tool and equipment maintenance from the Pilates For Stylists perspective are:

• Acquire the best quality tools that you can afford. Upgrade as your income allows.
  
• Routinely and regularly clean, maintain and repair all tools and equipment.
  
• Scissors should be sharp and well oiled. Sharp scissors work with minimal pressure in the hand to cut clean lines or textures. The same is true for razors and other haircutting implements. Clippers and trimmers should be oiled after each use and greased often based on their usage.
  
• Have a variety of combs and brushes. Select the best tool for the style or design rather than forcing just a few to do the work of many. Donate or throw out those that exhibit any damage or breakage or are simple worn out.
  
• Keep the dust vents in hand held dryers open so they perform optimally.
  
• Keep nozzles, sprayers and pumps clog free.
  
• Work with salon managers and owners on maintenance of equipment such as hydraulic chairs, sinks and dryers to reduce wear and tear on the operator, meaning you.
  
• Consider the weight of all your tools - in terms of your body, the lighter the better.
  

Aveda Institute San Antonio

Cosmetology students of the evening class at the Aveda ISA were treated to a guest lecture by Pilates For Stylists' instructors, Carolyn Bell and Dana Gardner.







Some of their comments about what they liked about the course, Posture And Alignment For Stylists, were:




"Everything that was shared was something that could actually be used." - E. Garcia

"Great tips to maintain good posture while working long hours." - T. Siez

"I learned a better way to stand." - E. Ellis

"How it applied to salon situations." - J. Elder

September 24, 2007

#2843 Posture And Alignment For Stylists

Course is now approved for 2 continuing education hours for Texas Cosmetology license renewal. Contact Carolyn Bell about interest in courses or see details for upcoming events in column to the right.

What To Expect At This Workshop!

• The Stylist body: 7 Key Areas
• Fun, Informative and Interactive
• Proper Posture And Alignment Practices In The Salon
• Pilates Principles And Movements
• Learn Valuable Cues For Standing, Sitting, Kneeling And Bending While Performing Salon Services

Next Workshop: Studio C Pilates Fitness, Boerne, Oct 22, 1-3 pm

Course Fee: $25
CE hours: 2
TDLR Provider: #1526

Contact: 210.380.6800
pilatesforstylists@gmail.com

Class Protocols

• Arrive to sign attendance roster before start of class. A photo ID and a Texas Cosmetology License number are required at sign in for certification of continuing education hours. Surveys are completed at end of class to verify participation prior to distribution of certificates.
  
• Wear clothing that allows for freedom of movement and body assessment, such as yoga or fitness attire.
• Bring bottled water and hand towel for comfort.

Pilates For Stylists accepts cash, business checks or money orders only. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Approved Texas Cosmetology Continuing Education Provider

Carolyn Bell is now registered as a CE Provider by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation for Cosmetology.

The Posture And Alignment For Stylists Course is under review by the TDLR. If approved, stylists will earn continuing education hours as they learn valuable cues and applications for standing, bending, sitting or kneeling while working in the salon. This is the first course of its kind to be offered in Texas.

Courses will be available as salon sponsored events or individual stylists may register for events being held at locations such as Synergy Studio in San Antonio and Studio C in Boerne.

$25 Course Tuition
2 Hours Continuing Education with certificate
#1526 TDLR Provider

This course is for salon professionals looking to enjoy careers of longevity and in good health. Carolyn Bell was inspired to develop and instruct this course because of her own physical ailments as a result of her hairdressing career and the benefits she received from her Pilates practice.

Contact Carolyn Bell at 210.380.6800 for more information.

Albie Opens V L V T Salon and Academie

I was visiting Albie Mulcahy's MySpace site and learned he is opening a new salon and advanced Dry Cutting Academie in St Pete, FL.



"V L V T® lounge opening soon @ Salon Lofts in St. Petersburg Florida. Phone-727-278-2159. Location will be 1068 4th St North, 33701. A high-end - SUDZZ FX® salon where each style is individually crafted by the most influencial Dry-Cutters."

In Source Of Inspiration 1 and Source Of Inspiration 2 on my personal blog, I wrote about the influence Albie had on my hair artistry and my life in general. I encourage stylists to catch Albie on stage at his next Texas appearance or investigate attending his Academie in FL. You will not come away disappointed!

Pilates For Stylists: Posture and Alignment

Pilates For Stylists: Posture and Alignment will instruct stylists on posture and alignment standing and centering cues, as taught by First Generation Teacher Ron Fletcher, as well as Joseph Pilates Matwork. Stylists will be encouraged to apply postural cues to common salon activities such as holding shears or performing a shampoo service.

Salon Event: $70 plus $10 per participant
(minimum 5 participants or event fee of $120)
Beauty School presentations: Complimentary
Trade Show, Educational Event or Salons outside
San Antonio radius: Call for quote
San Antonio and surrounding areas

Class Protocol

• Arrive to sign attendance roster and sign fitness liability waiver/health screening form before start of class. CEU courses also require a photo ID and a Texas Cosmetology License number.
  
• Wear clothing that allows for freedom of movement and body assessment.
• Bring mat, towel or quilt to exercise on and bottled water and hand towel for comfort.

Pilates For Stylists accepts cash, business checks or money orders only. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Announcing New Series

Pilates For Stylists is concerned about the manual task and back injuries that occur in salon professionals. Pilates matwork is being introduced to stylists so they may potentially avoid these injuries by developing their core strength and musculoskeletal health.

The Pilates For Stylists series will offer:

• Posture and Alignment (focusing on Standing and Centering cues, matwork)
• Shoulder And Pelvic Girdles (focusing on shoulders, hips and low back)
• Spinal Mechanics (focusing on Core in forward, back and side bending and rotation)
• Balance, Flexibility and Strength (exploring Matwork in depth)
• Beyond Matwork (Pilates with Magic Circles and/or Fletcher Towelwork)

The course instructor's expertise in the beauty industry combined with an education in Pilates makes her uniquely qualified to deliver this material.

Salon sponsored event: $70 plus $10 per participant
(minimum 5 participants or event fee of $120)
Beauty School presentations: Complimentary
Trade Show, Educational Event or Salons outside
San Antonio radius: Call for quote
San Antonio and surrounding areas