Issue #474 – Wednesday, February 26, 2025
Savoring the Scooter
by Dr. Suzanne Martin
One of the best things about Pilates is how each exercise is a concept.
I recently had the privilege to contribute to the volumetric Pilates Applications for Health Conditions edited by two of my favorite friends and inspirations, Elizabeth Larkam and Madeline Black.
My case study in Volume 2 features the effect of Pilates on the gait for a pre-professional cellist with adolescent scoliosis. The Scooter was one of many tools used in this case study The Scooter is one of my favorite exercises that truly helps asymmetrical people to find the ever-evasive central spinal vertical line, evening out leg length discrepancies. Leg length and pelvic imbalance issues go beyond posture issues. They create unbalanced foot loading in gait. A new client presented the opportunity to use a whole progression for a more mature client in a state of the “leaning Tower of Pisa” effect.
Older adults benefit from this progression due to the prevalence of limb replacement compensation and the after-effects of unrestored childbirth in the mature age group. This lovely woman is fortunately fit, in good basic health, but is unbalanced likely due to a scoliosis progression after double hip replacements, abdominal surgery and three childbirths. Her scoliosis is in the seventy-degree range. She experiences localized back pain after yard work and dusting. She is an avid hook rug handworker, which entails hours in spinal flexion.
Enjoy a description of our session featuring the Scooter.
Assessing the Central Spinal Vertical Line
MOTR
The MOTR (movement on the roller) finds vertical center. The client stands on the roller facing the “T-bar” in the “Pilates-V” foot stance with one foot in front of the other, preferably in front of a mirror. Enthusiastic spotting is a must for everyone.
Dr. Suzanne Clements Martin, DPT, founder of Pilates Therapeutics LLC, established in 2002, is a pioneer in the international application of Pilates therapy. Her 3-E approach of ergonomics, exercise and emotion, blends art with science, and is a guide for the five tracks of her courses: spine health, women’s health, foot management, cancer recovery, and performing arts enhancement. Core values of integrity, growth, and artistry guide her education and practice.
Dr. Suzanne Clements Martin’s commitment to lifelong learning is evident in her extensive education, certifications, and professional activity. She is an NCPT Pilates Master and holds certifications in scoliosis-specific treatment, APTA Academy of Pelvic Health, Manual Therapy, Barefoot Rehabilitation, Lymphatic Studies, and exercise for cancer. Her dedication to evidence-informed education ensures relevancy in her teaching.
An avid Pilates and Lifestyle Fitness promoter, she authored three fitness books with Dorling Kindersley. She wrote wellness columns for Dance Magazine and Dance Studio Life (A Better You) for a decade, along with information papers for DANCE USA. Now in process, she is working on Movement Practices for connective tissue and hypermobility to add to recent publications of, Spinal Asymmetry and Scoliosis, and Pilates Applications for Health Conditions, all published with Handspring Publishing.
A diverse forty year background encompasses international teaching experience in the health and movement fields. As a performing arts specialist, she conducted nutrition seminars for the School of the San Francisco Ballet, served on the faculty of San Francisco State University, the faculty of LEAP (Liberal Education for Arts Professionals) and was lead physical therapist/wellness consultant for Smuin Contemporary Ballet in San Francisco for over 25 years.
Her conference presentations include APTA, PMA, IADMS, PAMA, and DANCE USA for over 20 years. Her latest contribution to the DANCE USA Informational Papers was on Transitions in Dance with co-author Dr. Bonnie Robson, and Pre and Post Pregnancy concerns for Dancers with a DANCE USA team of authors. Her 2023 IADMS Columbus Conference session highlighted Pilates somatic exercises in a co-presentation with Dr. Linda Bluestein on Scoliosis and Hypermobility. Her 2024 PAMA presentation highlighted a case of a pre-professional cellist with scoliosis, which appears in Pilates Applications for Health Conditions. She is best known in the Pilates community for her special population presentations with Pilates Method Alliance, Balanced Body, Body Control London, Epilates Seoul, Pilates Shanghai, Pilates Thailand, and Applied Movement-Singapore, and recently the University of October 6th in Cairo, Egypt.
She has been married to Tom Martin for 43 years, with whom she manages Pilates Therapeutics. They reside in Marietta, GA, with their two guinea pigs, Vidalia and Snake Snack.
For more information, go to www.pilatestherapeutics.com.