A Day in the life of a Flexcushion® for Pilates
By Zoey Trap
The Flexcushion® is a simple, versatile and sophisticated tool perfect for Pilates. This prop helps students discover how good Pilates can be as they access the feel and alignment of the work like never before. We are thrilled to have Pilates Solutions Master Instructor Zoey Trap share her perspective on the benefits of using a Flexcushion®.
See why Zoey added a Flexcushion® to her repertoire as a Pilates Instructor – and why she is barely able to remember ever teaching without it.
Once upon a time I did indeed teach without a Flexcushion® . But from the moment I first saw this prop, I knew it was going to change my Pilates practice. Pilates is so much more accessible with this tool that can be used for mat, reformer, barrel work, on the Cadillac and with stretching. Nowadays, I can’t teach without it.
To understand why this prop has become such an integral part of my teaching, here is what one day with a Flexcushion® looks:
9 am: I am working with a student recovering from surgery. We use the prop to create a high wedge to allow her to safely do Pilates honoring her medical restrictions.
10 am: During Pilates Athletix. two students use the tool. One uses it for tightness in her hip flexors and the other has trouble properly picking up her head.
11 am: In a Tower class, one student uses the Flexcushion® to limit the range of motion for the Roll Back series.
12 pm: I use the Flexcushion® with a student recovering from abdominal surgery. Yes, you got it. We used it to lessen the intensity and aide in picking up the head properly.
1 pm: Lunch. Thank Goodness. No I didn’t eat the Flexcushion®.
2 pm: My next client works at a high intermediate level and did not need any modifications or assistance. Maybe next time.
3 pm: My student is a strong advanced beginner with very tight muscles. He has difficulty getting out of his hips so we use the Flexcushion® for one leg circle, corkscrew and other exercises to allow him to differentiate the femur from pelvis. We also used the prop during the Spine Stretch Forward and Saw.
4 pm: In a session with another fit student we used the Flexcushion® as a way to challenge to intensify the exercises. And boy does it work!
5 pm: During the last session of the day, I worked with a severely injured teen who is struggling with a high level of pain. After our first session, she bought her own Flexcushion® and uses it at home. She was having a really bad day and we used it for a pain management protocol.
What I love about the Flexcushion® is the ability to adapt my Pilates instruction to help clients get a true sense of how good movement can feel and how it feels to do it right! Change happens through movement – but only when that movement is taught intelligently. The Flexcushion® helps me do just that.
Zoey will be hosting a Master Class for Studio BE Instructors as part of their continuing education on May 9th so that they can incorporate the Flexcushion® into more sessions with our clients.
Zoey Trap holds an MS in Exercise Science with a research focus on alternative therapy and the spine and is an international authority on Mindbody Exercise with over 30 years of experience. As a Peak Pilates Master Trainer and member of the development team, she co-authored the Peak Pilates Educational Programs and created the Peak Pilates Master Instructor Mentoring System. Zoey originally certified with Colleen Glenn’s PilateSystems and has studied extensively with Mary Bowen and Lolita San Miguel. In addition to her Pilates background, sheis a Jivamukti Certified Yoga Instructor, an ACE certified group exercise instructor, and Flexcushion program developer. Zoey has been featured in 8 DVDs, been published in 7 languages, created fitness programs for multiple organizations, and has travelled the world sharing her passion for mind-body fitness by inspiring instructors to keep learning and growing.