Ep 12: Kyria Sabin Waugaman | Discovering movement potential with Fletcher Pilates

In this episode, Nikki chats with Kyria Sabin Waugaman, director of Fletcher Pilates International. They briefly discuss the history of Fletcher Pilates, Ron Fletcher’s philosophy of movement and how the Fletcher towel work can be used in post rehab and performance settings. Who was Ron Fletcher? Ron Fletcher studied directly under Joe and Clara Pilates and is responsible for introducing and popularizing the Pilates Method in the West Coast. Ron is known for having evolved the Pilates Method while maintaining the intention of the work. With Clara Pilates permission, he brought the work to standing and added elements of barre to enhance the function of the exercises. He also developed the Fletcher Towelwork® to improve integrity strength and balance in the upper body. Using the Towelwork® to improve performance The Towelwork® progresses movement from basic to complicated patterns. It starts with stabilization exercises to teach clients how to move from their backs and from a place of symmetry. Depending on the activity, the application of the Towelwork® will vary, but it gives everyone a sense of strength, flexibility, ease of movement and taking the Pilates principles all the way up through the body. For many people who play a one sided sport like tennis or baseball, there’s an instability or imbalance in the body that can be corrected with the Towelwork®. Additionally, it can teach dancers how to perform upper body movement from a place of strength and ease. Fletcher Towelwork® for breast cancer One of the applications of the work is opening the front of the body. In the case of chest wall surgeries like mastectomies, lumpectomies and open heart surgery, there’s a tendency to close down in the chest particularly when there is scar tissue or pain involved. This causes changes in upper body posture and compromises the stability of the shoulder girdle. The Towelwork® helps expand the chest wall, improve shoulder stability and correct upper body posture. Fletcher Pilates teaching philosophy Ron approached every body from an idea of movement potential – not limitations. He was all about helping people embody their bodies and he often talked about how we have this give or take, 70 trillion cells that we get to move through life with. He believed that we should treat each person, no matter where they are in their lives as a whole being, not just as someone who is recovering from something. Links Mentioned: Fletcher Pilates Website: http://www.fletcherpilates.com Fletcher Pilates in Seattle with Teresa Chikoore: http://www.pilatesintolife.com/ Kyria Sabin, PMA®-CPT Kyria Sabin directs Fletcher Pilates® and its affiliated professional Pilates educational program, the Fletcher Pilates® Program of Study. A graduate of Duke University and a licensed massage therapist, she initiated her studies with Ron Fletcher in 1991 and founded Body Works Pilates studios in Tucson, Arizona in 1993. Recognized by Ron Fletcher as a Master Teacher and Disseminator, Kyria developed the Pilates Program at the University of Arizona where she serves as Adjunct Faculty. She is an international presenter and has served on the national boards for the Pilates Method Alliance, The University of Arizona School of Dance and the Foundation for Expanding Horizons. You can learn more about Kyria and Fletcher Pilates at http://www.fletcherpilates.com.