When’s the last time you did something that scared you??

If you follow me or the studio at all you probably have seen some of my posts about Pilates on the Lake.  I teach a Pilates class on a board called a stand up paddleboard (SUP).  The boards are designed to be a surf board like board that you can stand on and paddle yourself around.  You can also sit or kneel on the boards to paddle and it turns out you can lay on them and do most of your Pilates exercises. The slight instability of the board on the water makes it extra fun!

As I’ve been teaching these classes I’ve found that many of my students are taking class because they want to try stand up Paddleboarding (SUP) for the first time. These new students are water people( you know…people that enjoy being in or around water and nature..) who are intrigued with the new Standup Paddleboard fad and want to try it out.

I’ve been having so much fun teaching and I think the part I enjoy the most is the “trying something new” experience that I get to help people with.  There is something truly inspiring about getting to experience a first in someone’s life.  There is something truly inspiring about being there as someone puts their fears to the side and tries something new that they know full well..they might not be so great at in the beginning.

It reminds me of the quote,”Do one thing every day that scares you.”

I think we all can recognize the value in doing something that scares us. We’ve all seen the light on the other side after we conquer a fear or venture out and try something new.    But how many of us really make an effort to do those things that scare us? How many of us are willing to take a chance and be vulnerable in front of other people?

From a teaching perspective I try to keep the Paddleboard experience and class light hearted.  I try to remind people that it’s OK if you fall off your board(it’s a great chance to cool off and refresh!)and more than anything I try to just be in the moment with people and remind them how great they are doing( because they are!!). Whether we are paddling to our spot on the lake to anchor for class or playfully trying some Pilates exercises on the boards I think you’ll find it’s a great workout, the scenery is amazing and it’s just plain fun to do something new and different!

If you are looking to try something new this summer, maybe a chance to do something that scares you…I would love to see you on the lake!!  You can sign up for Tuesday evening 6 pm Pilates on the Lake classes by clicking here!