Giving Grants in Support of Professional Development
Kusuma Trust Gibraltar is dedicated to the training and support of professional development where it can be of benefit to the applicant and the community at large. Our next deadline for applications are the 6th November 2012.
CASE STUDY: Supporting PAAMOA through Professional Development
Kusuma Trust Gibraltar have given Simone and Alison from the Physical Activities Association for Mature Older Adults Charity the opportunity to study Pilates as a means of helping the older community in Gibraltar.
Pilates is a physical activities programme based on the exercises developed by Joseph Pilates (1880-1967). Modern Pilates has adapted these exercises to confirm with up-to-date research from the world of physiotherapy and sport science. It differs from many other types of exercise programmes as it focuses both on strengthening weak muscles and stretching tight areas (often in the same exercise). The essence of the programme is on precision, not repetition or momentum. It addresses trunk stability, shoulder stabilisation, maintenance of good posture and spinal curves along with the correct use of muscles. It is suitable as a rehabilitation programme after injury or operation.
Pilates is a physical activities programme based on the exercises developed by Joseph Pilates (1880-1967). Modern Pilates has adapted these exercises to confirm with up-to-date research from the world of physiotherapy and sport science. It differs from many other types of exercise programmes as it focuses both on strengthening weak muscles and stretching tight areas (often in the same exercise). The essence of the programme is on precision, not repetition or momentum. It addresses trunk stability, shoulder stabilisation, maintenance of good posture and spinal curves along with the correct use of muscles. It is suitable as a rehabilitation programme after injury or operation.
PAAMOA is the Physical Activities Association for Mature Older Adults. They organise exactly what their name suggest and offer in conjunction with the GSLA an extensive programme of classes. Alison and myself already give aerobics classes on their behalf in the stadium and the small pool. The committee felt it would be hugely beneficial to also offer Modern Pilates classes.
Theory of Pilates
Modern Pilates for the senior population in Gibraltar would increase their mobility, improve their quality of life and greatly reduce the risk of injury from falls. PAAMOA asked Alison and myself if we were willing to undergo training to become Modern Pilates instructors and with the financial help of Kusuma Trust it has been made possible!
On 12th October we flew to Leeds for the first of six weekends of the course. We had already worked through six weeks of home study material, which we revised on the first day of the course. The whole weekend was about Anatomy and Physiology theory, so mainly muscles, where they come from and go into and what they do, and the Nervous System and Circulatory System (we now know where the bicuspid valve is!) Also some on nutrition and a big part on the different energy systems we use. We noticed we had retained more info from the home study than we thought we had, so went into the exam on the second day fairly confident. And look what happened, we passed it!
Going from theory to practice
(Simone Redman a current recipient of the Kusuma professional development grant)
To apply for a grant please go to the Kusuma Website for more information Kusuma Trust Professional Development
