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Core Curriculum Courses

 

Advanced Assessment Skills

PathoKinesiology of Lumbar Spine (was Advanced Spine)

PathoKinesiology of the Lower Extremity

PathoKinesiology of the Upper Extremity

Dancer Gymnast

Womens Health

Open the Gait

Rotational Sports

Neurological Rehabilitation

Scoliosis: A Practical Approach

Maximising Performance and Minimising Injury in Runners

Osteoporosis

Comprehensive Repertoire

 

Course dates for 2013:

CITY
Sydney
NSW
Melbourne
VIC

Adelaide
SA

Perth
WA
Brisbane
QLD
Hobart/
Launceston
TAS
Advanced Assessment Skills 1
Cancelled
Advanced Assessment Skills 2
Cancelled
Womens Health
20-21 April
 
11-12 May
5-6 Oct
Pathokinesiology Lumbar Spine  

Cancelled
19-20 October
Pathokinesiology Lower Extremity  
 
Pathokinesiology Upper Extremity  
 
Scoliosis: A Practical Approach  
3 February
 
Neurological Rehabilitation
19-20 Oct
27-28 April
13-14 July
Open the Gait
Dancer/Gymnast
22-23 June
Rotational Sports
5-6 October
   
Maximising performance and minimising injury in runners      
6-7 July
NEW DATE
  TBC
Comprehensive Repertoire
9-10 Nov
23-24 Nov
   

 

To register for any Core Curriulum Courses, please complete the following core curriculum registration form.

 

Advanced Assessment Skills (previously known as Critical Reasoning)

The Advanced Assessment Skills series helps movement teachers learn and apply necessary intake, assessment and reasoning skills to maximize outcome and increase professionalism in practice.

This course is split into two, three-day workshops and must be taken in order.
Part I (3 days)
? Intake - Interviewing skills
? Advanced Assessment of the Head, Neck, Spine and Pelvis
Part II (3 days)
? Advanced Assessment of the Lower and Upper Extremities
? Qualitative Movement Analysis

Duration: 48 hours (6 days)

Pre-requsities:
? Minimum of one year experience teaching Pilates, yoga or other movement discipline
? Equivalent of one year of Anatomy/Physiology
? Desire to implement professional and ethical practice into Pilates training

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PathoKinesiology of Lumbar Spine (was Advanced Spine)

This course consists of 16 hours of lecture and laboratory, based on the intervention and prevention of spine pathology. The curriculum provides an in-depth approach to Pilates evolved interventions for acute to chronic discogenic patterns, stenosis, spondylolisthesis, pre-and post-surgical conditions, scoliosis, facet dysfunctions, degenerative disc disease, sacroiliac and pelvic girdle dysfunction. This course also integrates existing manual therapy skills of mobilization into the Polestar repertoire.

By the end of the course, you will be able to design a treatment plan in the Polestar environment, successfully facilitate exercise with manual therapy skills and constructively critique their outcome.

Duration: 16 hours
Prerequisites: Successful completion of the Polestar Pilates for Rehabilitation Series. Must be a medical or rehabilitation professional (MD, PT, OT, DO, RN, Bach Sp Sc/Hmn Mvt, Bach App Sc)

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PathoKinesiology of the Lower Extremity

This 8 hour course focuses on pathology of the pelvis/hip complex, knee and ankle and presents interventions in the Pilates environment to restore function.

This one day course consists of intervention labs utilizing Pilates apparatus for movement dysfunctions seen in the pathology of the lower quarter. You will be able to design an exercise program in the Pilates environment that addresses movement dysfunctions common to typical lower quarter pathologies in a post rehabilitation setting.

This continuing education course will advance the skill set of both the novice and expert Pilates instructor by introducing pathological movement interventions utilizing current skill sets.

This course may also be a great Introductory Pilates course for those who have a strong understanding of the body and movement science but have had minimal or no formal training in the Pilates repertoire.

Duration: 8 hours (1 day)
Prerequisites: Successful completion of the Polestar Pilates Comprehensive Series OR a comparable comprehensive Pilates teacher training; OR licensed medical or rehabilitation professional (MD, PT, OT, DO, RN, Bach Sp Sc/Hmn Mvt, Bach App Sc)

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PathoKinesiology of the Upper Extremity

This 8 hour course focuses on pathology of the cervical-thoracic spine and shoulder girdle and presents interventions in the Pilates environment to restore function.

This one day course includes pathology lectures followed by movement assessment and intervention labs that do not require apparatus. By the end of day one, you will be able to assess movement and design an exercise program for clients with upper quarter pathology in a post rehabilitation setting.

This continuing education course will advance the skill set of both the novice and expert Pilates instructor by introducing pathological movement interventions utilizing current skill sets.

This course may also be a great Introductory Pilates course for those who have a strong understanding of the body and movement science but have had minimal or no formal training in the Pilates repertoire.

Duration: 8 hours
Prerequisites: Successful completion of the Polestar Pilates Comprehensive Series OR a comparable comprehensive Pilates teacher training; OR licensed medical or rehabilitation professional (MD, PT, OT, DO, RN, Bach Sp Sc/Hmn Mvt, Bach App Sc)

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Dancer Gymnast

Pilates for the Dancer and Gymnast addresses the needs of dancers and gymnasts from a Pilates perspective. The course includes special labs to facilitate strength, flexibility, coordination, and technique specific to the performers? needs. Further, the course covers techniques for performance enhancement, injury prevention and rehabilitation of the dancer and gymnast.

Duration:16 hours (2 days)

Pre-requisities: completion of a comprehensice certification in Pilates from a Pilates Alliance approved school (including Polestar Pilates Studio or Polestar Pilates for Rehabilitation).

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Womens Health

  • HEAL, DON'T HURT MOMMA!
    EXERCISE TREATMENT IN THE WOMEN'S HEALTH ENVIRONMENT

    A two-day continuing education course has been developed by Pamela A. Downey, MSPT, DPT, to demystify working with the pregnant client and to give clear, evidence-based treatment approaches for women with different types of musculoskeletal dysfunctions. This course is appropriate for Physical Therapists and Pilates Instructors and is intermediate in nature. A sound knowledge base is required in therapeutic exercise, Pilates and basic anatomy. More advanced discussions will be introduced based on the level of the class.

    Objectives: At the completion of this course, the participants will be able to:

    1. Use a uniform vocabulary that describes the events and changes that a woman experiences during the childbearing year.
  • 2. Better integrate the anatomy of the pelvic floor musculature, trunk and diaphragm in therapeutic exercise.
  • 3. Identify postural and musculoskeletal changes in the pregnant client and their impact on health and wellness.
  • 4. Synthesize exercise modifications and precautions for women in the physical therapy and Pilates environment.
  • 5. Develop a framework to create Pilates exercise classes for patients/clients that are pregnant or with history of pelvic pain and/or pelvic floor dysfunction.
  • 6. Become more comfortable in screening clients or patients with a history of pelvic pain, incontinence, diastasis recti and/or abdominal surgery.
  • 7. Understand the impact of pelvic floor dysfunction and chronic pelvic pain diagnoses in the women?s quality of life.
  • 8. Complete case studies and exercise selection utilizing a diagnosis of pelvic floor dysfunction and a client who is pregnant.

 

Duration: 16 hours (2 days)

Pre-requisities: This course is open to physical therapists and fitness instructors that have completed (with certification) a recognized Pilates Program and have at least 6 months of exposure working with clients needing movement work. It is expected that participants will have basic knowledge of therapeutic exercise including Pilates exercises for mat and studio equipment (Trapeze Table, Reformer, Chair, Ladder Barrel).

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Open the Gait

This course provides in-depth instruction on assessing and improving gait. Learn functional and dysfunctional gait mechanics and movement patterns, as well as the relationship between gait and Pilates. We will use Polestar's unique principles to facilitate qualitative analysis in gait. ?Open the Gait? to improved gait patterns in yourself and future clients.

Duration: 1 day
Prerequisites: Completion of a comprehensive Pilates teacher training program from a Pilates Method Alliance approved school (such as Polestar Pilates Studio or Polestar Pilates for Rehabilitation)

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Rotational Sports

Many sports involve rotation and repetitive movements that can result in overuse injuries. A few examples include golf, tennis, and hockey. Athletes of these sports commonly develop imbalances and injuries ? the effects can range from impaired performance to a sidelined athlete.

Polestar Education's Rotational Sports course teaches Pilates practitioners to incorporate Pilates exercises into the training/rehabilitation sessions of these athletes to develop greater stability, core control, and range of motion while decreasing fatigue, injuries, and biomechanical issues.

Duration: 1 day
Prerequisites: Completion of a comprehensive certification in Pilates from a Pilates Method Alliance approved school (including Polestar Pilates Studio or Polestar Pilates for Rehabilitation)

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Neurological Rehabilitation

This course is designed to identify special needs and interventions for individuals suffering from common neurological pathologies: Neurological Injury & Neurological Disease.

This course will build on Polestar's principles of movement to facilitate a successful movement experience for clients suffering from the above impairments. Participants will be instructed in treatment planning using the entire Polestar Pilates Environment.

Polestar movement fundamentals and instructional techniques are compatible with many exercise systems and somatic practices. Course participants are encouraged to apply this theory and practice to Pilates-evolved techniques, as well as to other movement practices and their professional and personal experiences.

Duration: 2 days
Prerequisites: Completion of Polestar Pilates Studio or Polestar Pilates for Rehabilitation OR Medical or rehabilitation professional (MD, PT, OT, DO, RN, Bach Sp Sc/Hmn Mvt, Bach App Sc) who has completed a comprehensive Pilates teacher training program with another organisation.

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Scoliosis: A Practical Approach

Enhance practical knowledge of scoliosis from early age thru adulthood and the accompanying pathologies, limitations and co-morbidities. Learn to identify what is and is not important when assessing movement of individuals with scoliosis. We will use the Polestar Principles and Polestar Pilates exercises to aid in interventions and to improve function. Discussion will include a review of practical applications of Pilates exercises for both corrective and facilitative approaches to treating scoliosis. Polestar introduces the use of special props and small apparatus including the BAC discs for safe interventions and home exercise programs.

Duration: 8 hours (1 day)
Prerequisites: Successful completion of the Polestar Pilates Comprehensive Series OR a comparable comprehensive Pilates teacher training; OR licensed medical or rehabilitation professional (MD, PT, OT, DO, RN, Bach Sp Sc/Hmn Mvt, Bach App Sc)

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Maximising Performance and Minimising Injury in Runners

Level 1 (2hrs) - Introduction to pelvic motion during running, analysis of pelvic torsion and how this relates to the muscle activation around the pelvis. Sacroiliac joint problems. Assessment and treatment of instability around the lumbar spine and pelvis. Analysis of the biomechanics of running. Implementation of a pilates program to help pelvic torsion problems. This 2 hour presentation is half lecture and half practical workshop.

Level 2 (2hrs) ? Introduction to feet biomechanics, The importance of evaluating feet when dealing with many running injuries. Heel/toe gait v forefoot strike. How to muscularly reform the arches of your feet. Are orthotics good for runners? Dealing with plantar fasciitis. This 2 hour presentation is half lecture and half practical workshop.

Level 3 - Putting it all together. Combining foot re-education with correct pelvic motion. How to progress the runners pilates program. Specific Athlete pilates programs for various problems that you have identified in your runners. Looking at injury prevention and efficiency in the runner. Finishing with a large practical workshop combining all the above concepts.

Duration: 1 day
Prerequisites: Completion of a comprehensive Pilates teacher training program from a Pilates Method Alliance approved school (such as Polestar Pilates Studio or Polestar Pilates for Rehabilitation)

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Pilates for Osteoporosis

This is a 2-day lecture and lab course designed to prepare the Pilates Teacher for assessment and program design of the osteoporotic or osteopenic client. Finally, the course is also appropriate for clients interested in an in-depth program for their own edification about osteoporosis.

Topics addressed:

? Definitions of osteoporosis and osteopenia
? Risk factors for osteoporosis
? Diagnosis and screening process for osteoporosis
? Questionnaire used for determining a client's risk
? Discussion of peri and post-menopausal relationship to osteoporosis
? Interpretation of Bone Densitomitry Studies
? T-scores and Z-scores
? Latest research in exercise for osteoporosis
? Program Design and appropriate exercise progressions
? Fracture prevention tips
? Contraindicated movements and exercises
? Nutritional recommendations

In participatory labs, the appropriate exercises and modifications will be covered in mat work with and without props, Trapeze Table, Reformer, Chair & Barrels. Two 1 hour mat classes will be taught utilizing exercises as appropriate for intermediate level clients or Seniors with osteoporosis or osteopenia.

The following books and videos by Sherri Betz, PT will be available for purchase at the course:
"The Osteoporosis Exercise Book: Building Better Bones"
"The Pilates for Osteoporosis Exercise Video"
"Pilates for Seniors-The Osteoporosis Workout"

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Comprehensive Repertoire Review

This course is a REVIEW of the original exercises as developed by Joseph Pilates on all the apparatus that he created:

? Reformer
? Trapeze Table
? Wunda Chair
? Ladder Barrel
? Ped-O-Pull
? Magic Circle
? Spine Corrector
? Foot Corrector
? Toe Corrector
? Finger Corrector
? Head Harness
? Bean Bag

A photographic manual of all exercises in their original form will be provided.

It is expected and required that all participants be comprehensively trained on ALL Pilates apparatus before participating in this course.

Format: Circuit Style- 11 Stations 4 Labs-
1- 4 hour Lab in AM and 1- 3 hour Lab in PM each day.
Instructor will demonstrate 3 exercises on each apparatus on all 11 stations.
Participants rotate thru each station with partner spending about 15 minutes per station.

Limit 22 participants.

Duration: The course is 2 days (8 hours each day) with 30-45 minutes at the end of each day for questions and discussion.

Pre-requisities: It is expected and required that all participants be comprehensively trained on ALL Pilates apparatus before participating in this course. Completion of Polestar Pilates for Rehabilitation or Polestar Pilates Studio meets the requirement.

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