Hello everybody! Hope there's still people coming here willing to discuss our beloved method. Lately, I was thinking about the additions/deletions that came after Joe died. I found the 48s (I think) sequence of Reformer exercises, and started practicing it. So far, some things caught my attention: - The absence of Pulling Straps and Pulling T; - The absence of three Short Box exercises: Side to Side, Twist and Reach and Side Sit Ups; - Javier already told us in his book excerpt, but I'll repeat: no Stomach Massage series either; - No Elephant, a bread-and-butter exercise in the Classical Wo ..read more

Hello Alain! Sorry for the huge delay. In and up is like a "call to action": seeing Romana using it and her own stance when saying it renders its meaning clear and also removes the 'literal' translation. She would often complain about how little people would understand her. Yes, you do draw your stomach in to produce an up feeling -and no more, otherwise you end up with the opposite and shrink- but you did so engaging the rest of the body with an 'on' attitude to get yourself ready to do whatever you were going to do. Enter now the anally retentive world that wants to know what muscles you us ..read more

"In and Up" has been the first thing that I´ve heard, many years ago, from Philippe Taupin (Romana´s lineage). In my martial arts practice, I´ve came to a similar concept. The so called "internal martial arts" are linked, in my understanding, to the ability to displace the visceral mass "in and up" (for "in" = to the back). And as so, to stabilize the spine optimizing the transmission of force in the whole body. It also requires a different intent when moving, like the intent of "moving inside" when applying force outside. I know, Javier, that you say that Contrology is NOT a "core method ..read more

Hi Javier, Glad to read you, and that you train apprentices. Also, so true what you´ve written about goals and methods. It reminds me of another saying: "method of no method". As said by a man who used to call himself "contradictory old man" (Wang Xiangzhai), and that also knew his art. Statistics: Posted by AlainG — Tue Oct 19, 2021 2:27 am ..read more

Hello Javier, Thank you for the 'lengthy' answer... I think I understand it. Not sure. If the exercises are not known, what do you call them then? I do understand the explanation of the differences in this particular exercise. Now I don't know what to think... But thank you for the thorough explanation. Greetings, P Statistics: Posted by Paco — Sun Sep 26, 2021 10:31 pm ..read more

Hello Joao, I am so sorry for the delay. Family loss. Horrible year. Slowly returning to life and normalcy (whatever that is) Now I have apprentices!!! Something I avoided for such a long time but because I am leaving my studio -my wonderful colleague Mariska Barnard is taking over- I had to produce some new trainers. While I wasn't looking forwards to it, they are a wonderful bunch and I feel I am 'releasing the knowledge' freeing myself of it... Yes, there was not Basic-Int-Adv (I also don't use it) that was created later when they created 'educations' and it was a way to explain to student ..read more

Hello Paco, I am not thrilled about the question -I don't want to star a war- but I guess the person who made that pic already posted it online. I think she actually contacted me a while ago about teaching her online but maybe is not the same person since she said she also 'hated' social media. There are a few inconsistencies in the picture: The setting, the bar, the strap, the approach... - She is using the Roll Back Bar. Originally is with either the Airplane Board, or the Trapeze bar. Not only is nicer -you don't have the feeling that is going to roll up your hamstrings, but it clarifies ..read more

Hello Javier and all, It seems like everyone is talking about 'archival' exercises and they are posting many online. What do you think about them? For example here is one: IMG_1445.jpg Why did they change it? Who did? Where can I learn them? I appreciate your answer and take on it. P. Statistics: Posted by Paco — Mon Sep 06, 2021 4:38 pm ..read more

Hi there! Once I saw Jay Grimes saying in an interview, that there were no "Basic", Intermediate" or "Advanced" exercises at Joe's studio. There were just "Exercises", "Men's Exercises" and "Woman's Exercises". When teaching the Original Method, these classifications also fade away? And this applies to the "versions" of exercises, also? For example, I learned to teach the Hundred with legs at 45 degrees angle or higher at the beginning, and working all the way down until the student can hold the position with legs at eye level. Was it a common practice or it came later? Another question with ..read more

Hi there! Javier, I'm also interested in the book! If possible, can I have my email on the announcements lists too? Thank you! João Statistics: Posted by Joao — Sat Jul 03, 2021 8:16 pm ..read more