Chris Robinson
I had the pleasure of meeting Chris Robinson when I recently attended the Valencia Classical Pilates Conference in Spain. WOW! I’m impressed!
Chris is a lifelong athlete and one of the fittest, strongest and most passionate people I have ever met. He is a two-time muay thai kickboxing champion and in constant pursuit of peak performance and perfection. He is a machine!
In 1999, Chris had his first lesson in Pilates with trainer Michael Johnson. He was given a full classical advanced reformer class “…that kicked my butt, it nearly killed me!” he said. “Michael told me if I wanted to be a better fighter do this exercise”. Chris was given an advanced reformer, because he was an elite athlete in peak condition, with no injuries, his trainer knew him previously and knew that he could do it. He needed to be challenged; he needed to work hard and to respect the Pilates Method. His instructor needed to prove Pilates wasn’t just for girls and dancers! Chris went on to say, “Instantly after that first lesson, as soon as I stood up, I could punch and kick better – it was crazy!”
Chris continues to do Pilates to be a better fighter and a better athlete, “…train to condition yourself, recover faster, without fatigue.”
I participated in the 3 workshops Chris presented; ‘The Men’s Exercises’, ‘The Strong Mat’ and ‘The Simple Spine’ as well as a group mat workout.
What really impressed me about Chris was that he has recovered from a 50% labral tear in his shoulder without surgery. I have suffered on and off from shoulder injuries in the past couple of years, and have a minor labrum tear myself. To recover and rehabilitate after an injury like that without surgery is amazing. When Chris was diagnosed with the tear he was told that the only solution he had was surgery. He refused the surgery and went back to the Pilates studio and changed the way he worked out. In order for him to completely rehabilitate, he needed to apply himself 100% to the Pilates Method. When he returned to the surgeon, instead of speaking, he stood against a wall, and went into a one-arm handstand using the shoulder with the tear. Afterwards, the surgeon said, “Whatever you are doing, keep doing it!” and that’s where ‘The Simple Spine’ (Working your Spine on the Cadillac)* workshop comes from.
In this workshop Chris focuses on elongating and controlling the spine through the powerhouse. By connecting the spine and the powerhouse, you increase your overall strength without fatiguing and you protect yourself from injury.
“When doing the method, the spine is elongated and the rest of the body is expanding. That gives the body a constant stretch. The body works as one unit using strength to bring about this stretch. The mind must control the movement to make sure the body is working within the joint.”
If he doesn’t use his spine and powerhouse together 100% during a workout, “…I will most definitely hurt my shoulder again” Chris said, whilst doing a one handed push up with jumps off the floor! He then went on to demonstrate a series of exercises on the Cadillac including pull-ups, chin-ups, and pushups and after he finished each set, he added repetitions to each exercise and did it again 4 more times, all without fatiguing his body.
How?
By controlling his spine through his powerhouse!
I also loved his presentation ‘The Strong Mat’. Instead of sitting down listening to him present, it was an all-in full participation power mat class and definitely not for the beginner or the faint hearted. It was hard, fast, deeply controlled, and complete cardio. I was totally hooked on his passion and motivation throughout the workshop. I loved it!
Chris uses the principles of The Pilates Method with other modalities of exercise (kettlebells, muay thai, sprinting, functional and traditional training). Each movement during the training session is initiated by the powerhouse, including the abdominal region, inner thighs and gluteus maximus, in order to protect and lengthen the spine.
* ‘Working Your Spine on the Cadillac’ is just one of the workshops Chris will be conducting. If you want to take your Pilates classes to the next level and you haven’t booked in for his workshops yet, make sure you register today and secure your place. I can’t wait to see him again at the PAA Conference in October.
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