The following seminars have been approved by the American Council on Exercise for continuing education credits for fitness professionals:
Imagery for a Healthy Spine - Level I
1. Introduction to imagery – 30 minutes
A brief history of modern imagery techniques from the early 20th century to the latest findings in neuroscience. Simple exercises will be performed to demonstrate the effects of imagery on alignment, flexibility, stability and power. Body tapping will be used to demonstrate the effects of increased proprioreceptive awareness. Arms and/or legs will be moved focusing alternately on distal, proximal, inferior and superior landmarks to demonstrate the different muscle firing patterns triggered by each image.
2. Structure and evolution of the spine – 30 minutes
A discussion of how the curves of the spine developed as we moved from quadrupeds to bipeds and the tensegrity structure that developed as a result. Demonstrations and exercises will show the advantage of this model and how it can be best maintained in good working order. A brief overview of the various bones, muscles, ligaments, discs and joints of the spine will be introduced.
3. Facet joints and other landmarks of the vertebrae – 30 minutes
Incorporating imagery and movement exercises (flexion, extension, lateral flexion and rotation), a discussion, demonstration and series of group exercises will illustrate the unique design and function of the articular facets. The orientation of the lumbar, thoracic and cervical facets will be compared and contrasted. The vertebral body, spinal foramen, transverse processes and spinous processes will also be discussed.
4. Intervertebral discs – 30 minutes
Incorporating imagery and movement, a discussion, demonstration and series of group exercises will illustrate the design and function of the intervertebral discs. This will include the composition and movement properties of the annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus.
Course Number: CEP20402
CECs: 0.2
Imagery for a Healthy Spine - Level II
1. Imagery exercises and review– 30 minutes
Simple group exercises will be performed to demonstrate the effects of imagery on alignment, flexibility, stability and power. Body tapping will be used to demonstrate the effects of increased proprioreceptive awareness. Simple movements of the arms and legs will be used to demonstrate the effects of focusing alternately on distal, proximal, inferior and superior landmarks. The different muscle firing patterns triggered by each image will be discussed. A review of Level I material will be incorporated into the imagery exercises.
2. Atlanto-occipital joint – 15 minutes
Incorporating imagery and movement, a combination of lecture and group exercises will illustrate the unique properties of the atlas (C1) and axis (C2) and how they are designed to support, flex, extend and rotate the cranium. The way in which proper alignment and utilization of these vertebrae reduces muscular tension in the neck and shoulders will be demonstrated.
3. Sacrum – 15 minutes
Incorporating imagery and movement, a combination of lecture and group exercises will illustrate the structure and movements of the sacrum and coccyx. The architectural integration of the sacrum (and therefore the entire spine) into the pelvis will be introduced.
4. Pelvic Power – 60 minutes
Incorporating imagery and movement, a combination of lecture and group exercises will illustrate the design, evolution, structure and movement of the pelvis. Bone rhythms of the sacrum, pelvic halves and femur heads will be explored. The importance and function of the pelvic floor muscles will be discussed.
Course Number: CEP20528
CECs: 0.2
Relax Your Neck, Liberate Your Shoulders
1. Imagery exercises and warmup– 30 minutes
Simple group exercises will be performed to demonstrate the effects of imagery on alignment, flexibility, stability and power. Body tapping will be used to demonstrate the effects of increased proprioreceptive awareness. Simple movements of the arms and legs will be used to demonstrate the effects of focusing alternately on distal, proximal, inferior and superior landmarks. The different muscle firing patterns triggered by each image will be discussed. Movements of the shoulder girdle will be emphasized.
2. Exploring the bones of the shoulder – 45 minutes
Using movement, imagery, self-touch and partnering exercises, the humeroscapular rhythm will be explored in detail. Students will learn and experience how many degrees the humerus can move before engaging the scapula and then the clavicle; they will learn about and then palpate the bony landmarks and joints of all three bones on themselves and a partner; they will learn about and experience the location of the clavicle and humerus during elevation, depression, abduction, adduction and rotation of the scapula; lastly students will learn about the bone rhythms of various movements like pushing, pulling, throwing, dancing, etc.
3. Exploring the muscles of the shoulder – 45 minutes
Using movement, imagery, self-touch and partnering exercises, the muscles of the shoulders will be explored in detail. First the sliding filament theory of muscle contraction will be introduced; then using muscle sliding imagery the large muscles of the shoulder (lats, pecs, deltoids and traps) will be explored with special attention paid to the interplay of the upper, middle and lower traps particularly as they relate to neck tension; next, the location and muscle sliding patterns of the rotator cuff will be explored; and lastly the interplay of the large shoulder muscles with the rotator cuff will be explored using muscle sliding imagery during a variety of movements.
Course Number: CEP20731
CECs: 0.2
Infinity Pilates
