As I finish up my last day at the annual Pilates Method Alliance Conference I am struggling with what to write about for this weeks blog. Not because I don’t have anything to write about but because I have so much to write about I can’t possibly get it all in one blog that people might actually want to read! So I’m going to keep it short and sweet and share with you my top 3 takeaways from this year’s conference.
1. The Pilates community is amazing! In just 3 days I have reconnected with old friends, met in person my online Pilates friends (those people I consider Pilates friends from social media and blogging interaction but have never actually met in person) and made a ton of new Pilates friends!! There is truly something about the Pilates work that brings to it the most genuine, interesting, intelligent, and generous people!
2. Benjamin Degenhardt said,” This work (contrology) is about empowering you where you are in your body.” This is not a new idea to me but it’s one that really speaks to me as to why I do Pilates and why I teach. Many times throughout the conference I heard very experienced, distinguished Pilates teachers echo this same idea. Pilates is about teaching ourselves and others to live in the body we have the best we can. It’s more than OK that we don’t all teach exactly the same way or exactly the same version of exercises . As teachers it’s about being in the moment with our students, teaching movement patterns that are specific to what the body needs and empowering others to learn how to use movement as a tool to improve quality of life!
3. More Struggle = More Results
Trent McEntire started his ” What’s Neuroscience got to do with it?” Workshop with this topic and it really resonated with me. Most of his discussion involved how we teach clients and help them find the “edge” in their movement practice so that they continue to get and feel results in their body. From a teaching perspective I loved that he was describing how I normally teach clients because it confirmed that what I often write off as intuitive teaching really had some science to back up why it’s effective.
From a big picture perspective I realized that the idea of more struggle equals more results is one that can be applied to most situations. Whether its growing a business, teaching Pilates, relationships or anything else, I think that getting outside the “comfortable” zone and pushing ourselves to “struggle” (which is what we would call our “working level” at the studio) is what keeps us growing and expanding. Like most people I tend to shy away from things that might be a little more work, might make me be uncomfortable, or push me to the edge. I think my brain sees struggle as bad, but in reality the struggle is what leads us to amazing places in our lives! I’m grateful for that change in perspective when it comes to struggle in Pilates and in life.
I decided this week that I should be trying to post more on Instagram, sharing my personal practice and sharing my passions. One of my passions when it comes to movement is showing people that Pilates is doable no matter where you are in your body. Pilates can be such an amazing health tool to make your life happier and healthier! It drives me a little (ok a lot) crazy when I see so many social media posts of instructors doing movements that the average person would find intimidating or impossible. As a teacher I’ve never really been comfortable posting pictures and videos of me doing exercises because I don’t want potential clients to think that they need to be able to move a certain way or look a certain way to start Pilates. I think in my head I’ve always thought that me posting pictures of myself would come across as bragging or showing off……. or worse yet people would look at it and criticize my movement or me! Something changed my mind about that theory this month.
On Sunday night, after a fun filled day of teaching teacher training workshop I got a chance to get in a long walk and practice my Pilates mat work. What kept popping into my head during my Pilates time is hearing the trainees say things like:
What’s the key to not feeling like a complete failure every time your Pilates teacher gives you some advice on making your movement better? For me, I had to make the realization that my Pilates practice was a practice. I had to acknowledge that the benefits of me moving my body and practicing Pilates movements really comes from the process itself and not any end result. My flexible spine, my awareness of my posture and alignment and my core strength are a cumulative effect of the practicing of movements I do on a regular basis. I don’t have to wait until my Teaser is absolutely perfect or for my side leg kicks to look like those of a ballerina to benefit from my Pilates practice.
Let me tell you about some of my favorite students. They are loud, giggly and sometimes don’t listen to anything I say. They often interrupt me when I’m teaching to ask questions like, “Can we do mermaid today, can I pick what we are pretending to sit against during Spine Stretch, or Mom did you check on the dog today (from my son of course!)” When I first started teaching them movement this really drove me a little (ok a LOT) crazy as a teacher. I often felt like a failure if all of them weren’t breathing properly, paying attention perfectly and doing exactly what I wanted them to do.
This week I got a call from one of my instructors that something came up and she needed someone to sub her Barre & Pilates class in the evening and couldn’t find anyone else to do it. I said I could cover it for her. Normally subbing a Pilates class is no big deal and I’m pretty comfortable just jumping in and teaching whatever class it is. I have to tell you barre work is a little different though. If you know me at all you know that I am not a dancer, my hips are tight,my turnout is horrible and coordinating movement to music takes me hours of practice! I like the barre work as it’s really good for me but it’s not necessarily my thing when it comes to teaching.
