The Center for Women's Health Courses

The Center’s Pelvic Floor 6 hour course is a pre requisite for all of the courses in our curriculum. We base our courses on the movement of the pelvis and how it affects the rest of the female body. We will also look at the pelvic floor from a healthy standpoint rather than a problematic one.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course will offer an in depth look at the anatomy and function of the pelvic floor, its application to movement and the breath and will discuss the reasons for dysfunction and how many of these problems can be prevented. Our approach contains both the scientific evidenced based research and the more holistic viewpoint of this most intimate part of the female body.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

  • To understand the anatomy of the female pelvis and pelvic floor
  • To understand the function of the pelvic floor muscles, the fascial connections and the surrounding muscle groups.
  • To understand the change that occurs during pregnancy, birth, postpartum and menopause
  • To understand dysfunction in the pelvic area to include SI Joint and pelvic floor dysfunction and pubis symphasis derangement
  • To understand the importance of correct movement to activate the pelvic floor
  • To understand the role of the breath in pelvic floor activation and rehabilitation
  • To understand the impact of the fascial connections through the pelvis
  • This course has been approved for 10 CEC’s from The Pilates Method Alliance (USA)

This course has been approved for .7 CEC’s from ACE (USA)

Designed for Fitness, Pilates and Yoga professionals this program investigates the history, anatomy and epidemic of diastais recti.  The name would seem to indicate that the problem lies within the structure of this set of muscles and not the integration of the body as a whole. However, the separation could be viewed as the final stage of this condition and may be the physical testament to a process of fascial, bony and muscular misalignment and dysfunction.

In order to see this progression, we need to look beyond just the abdominal musculature. The rectus abdominus has been the culprit of diastasis recti forever. Exercises that activate this muscle – crunches, sit ups, Pilates roll up, one hundred, etc; have been contra indicated for this condition. However, the exercises themselves are not the villains but the way in which they are executed may be.

Course Description

This 8 hour program offers a series of deep stabilizing exercises with progressions that will allow you to progress towards your regular exercise program, if that is your goal. The deep understanding of the working of your body will ensure the prevention of a recurrence of this condition.

Objectives

  • To learn about what diastasis recti is, how it occurs and how to facilitate recovery.
  • To understand how to prevent it from occurring.
  • To understand the role of the pelvic floor and fascial connections
  • To understand the connection of the thorax to the pelvis when rehabilitating diatsasis
  • To understand how to correctly perform exercises that have been traditionally contraindicated for this condition
  • To learn application of simple exercises to aid in the recovery of this condition.

Course Outline

  • History of Diastasis Recti and the exercise boom
  • Anatomy of the anterior and posterior abdominal wall
  • Anatomy of the Thorax
  • Anatomy of the pelvic floor
  • Fascial connections through the pelvic floor and abdominals
  • Myofascial release techniques for healing diastasis recti
  • Breathing techniques
  • Understanding muscle connections using the breath
  • Simple exercises and progression for a lifetime of connection
  • PMA 6 CECS
  • ACE .9 CECS

The Center for Women’s Fitness 2 Day 16 hour Pre and Postnatal Health and Exercise Specialist Certification is the flagship course that started The Center’s teacher training courses. When it was first implemented in 1998, the information was deemed “controversial” and “went against the grain” of what was accepted at the time. With nearly 20 years in the business of transforming how teachers look at the pre and postnatal client, we can say that our programs have changed lives, have always been a couple of steps ahead of the game and with nearly 2000 teachers in 40 countries we are proud to be the leading pre and postnatal Teacher Training program worldwide.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course will show you how to “Prepare the Body™” and “Repair the Body™” during pregnancy and the postnatal period. You will be introduced to a different way of looking at female anatomy and physiology and the changes that occur during pregnancy, birth and beyond. You will learn our “method” of program design for this population that will truly address their needs and requirements for safe, beneficial exercise.

 

COURSE OBJECTIVES

  • To understand the anatomy of the female pelvis and pelvic floor and the role they play during pregnancy and the postnatal period
  • To understand the musculoskeletal system of the female body in general and pregnancy/postnatal in particular
  • To understand the changes in physiology of the female during pregnancy and postpartum
  • To understand the intimate relationship of the body to the breath and how to use the breath for birth, relaxation alignment and rehabilitation in the postnatal period
  • To understand the adaptations and alignment of posture in the pregnant and postnatal body
  • To understand the importance of storytelling in the healing of birth trauma
  • To understand the prevention and/or the rehabilitation of the pelvic floor, diastasis recti, C section and PSD
  • To understand how to use the information to design beneficial and safe exercises for this population
  • This course has been approved for 20 CEC’s from The Pilates Method Alliance (USA)
  • 2.0 CEC’s from ACE (USA)

The Center’s 1 or 2 day Exercise Through Menopause/Pilates for Menopause Certification takes liberties with the traditional concepts of symptoms of menopause and shows you a different perspective to the abilities of the maturing female body.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course is designed to look at the causes and symptoms of menopause and to gain a new vision of how to train a more mature woman as she adapts to yet another change in her female life. Rather than seeing these changes as negative, this course will show you physiological, physically, emotionally and mentally, why life can only get better.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

  • To understand the female anatomy and physiology during menopause
  • To understand how the anatomical and physiological changes affect the physical body
  • To understand the adaptations needed for exercise during this time
  • To understand the benefits and strengths of the menopausal years
  • To see the positive changes and how the body responds to a change in program design
  • To understand the concepts behind the program that support the process
  • This course (Mat and Equipment) has been approved for 16 CEC’s from The Pilates Method Alliance (USA)
  • This course (Mat only) has been approved for .8 CECS from ACE

The Center’s 8 hour Rocking and Rolling to Release course is designed to use a myofascial ball plus gentle rocking movement to release fascia, muscles and bone restrictions.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course will take the instructor or client through a series of body positions combined with rocking movement that will activate the body’s innate sense of fascial and muscular release as well as incorporate bone rhythms. Techniques using a myofascial ball are included

COURSE OBJECTIVES

  • To understand fascial, muscular and bone connections
  • To use the rhythm of the bones in tension free movement and it’s effect on the body
  • To understand our primal need to rock
  • To understand how to implement this movement into class design

Practical

The Rocking series includes-Standing, sitting, supine, sidelying and prone work. Hands on techniques are included. All practical sequences utilize a myriad of bones, muscles and fascia at one and the same time. The practical sessions will take you through a series of sequences in various body positions designed to encourage muscular and fascial release throughout the body.

  • The Rolling Series utilizes the ball in different sequences for back body,side body and front body release.
  • The practical sessions will teach you pace, breathing, focus and relaxation to further enhance the release of the body.
  • All practical sequences are designed to be integrated within your current workout session.
  • This course fulfills one requirement for The Women’s Health and Exercise Specialist Certification™
  • This course has been approved for .6 CEC’s from ACE (USA)