INTERMEDIATE SYSTEM ~ WOOD
Oh the rich and dynamic Intermediate System!
Rich because the bulk of the material of the classical Pilates system falls into the Intermediate System, and if you’re teaching the Intermediate (Wood Element) then the roots (Water Element) are established and in tune to support such genuine growth and progress. So much of what you will teach and do during your Pilates career is this work. Learn it, love it, own it, and share it.
Dynamic because at the Intermediate level we really cultivate, both in ourselves and in our training of clients, the Four Foundations of Movement and the articulation and integrity of the spine in moving through Swan and Horse (extension and flexion). The Intermediate workout is rhythmic and challenging. We are asking the body to do hard things, to find strength, to take up space and remain limber and agile through challenges and work.
This system is beautifully designed to safely progress a client from the Basic work in these ways:
Building strength throughout the entire body
Increasing flexibility without strain or stress on the muscles, ligaments, or joints
Educating the body on how to move well laterally and with rotation
Training the mind to remain clear, present, and creative
Inside an Intermediate client’s workout the transitions begin to connect, the breath is in time with the movements, the strength becomes deep and apparent in everyday life, and range of motion is increased as we grow and inhabit lateral space.
Each exercise builds upon other exercises, and you may find that you are helping your client draw parallels between different exercises. As you teach, ensure that you use each apparatus in the studio and customize the workout to encourage client ownership of progress and advancement. Here is where clients can learn so much about their bodies, break through perceived limitations, and progress in profound ways.