Said someone in my class (and a dear friend) last night during a gorgeous post-Pilates-class conversation.
I wish I could replay the chat, because it was such an honest and heart-warming account of her experience of Pilates, and how it feels to her.
The crux of it was that even after only two classes, the difference has been profound.
Here's the crucial part: we're not talking about physical changes like being stronger or more flexible - yet. That will develop more over time, but what happened instantaneously was the body awareness.
That's what's so magic about Pilates - and similarly other techniques like Alexander technique and Somatics. It has a gentle but firm intention. It reminds us about the simple things, how we feel, how we breathe, how we move. Wiping away the layers of postural habits, tension and stress, we can take a deep breath and feel 'oh yeah, there I am'
It's magic.
Hey look, we can jump about and 'feel the burn' and do leg-shaky squats and move more freely and sweat and do some planks....that's what some of my other classes like Barre are for. But Pilates, in it's true essence has this sense of intention, care and focus. Oh by the way, don't misunderstand, that doesn't make it easy! 😉
If you're new to the technique, I understand it can feel a bit overwhelming and maybe even intimidating. Please don't feel that way, Pilates IS magic and wonderful, but it's definitely not an elite sport or a highly guarded secret, like I was saying tom someone recently: at the end of the day it's just moving...
Moving your body. That's it.
Pilates teachers are just here to guide you, remind you, show you some ways of doing that that will make you think, move and feel different. It's an exciting journey.
It's also why my classes will always be small, like 6 or 7 absolute max.
Partly because that's a nice intimate atmosphere, we can have a decent convo and catch up with not too many people 😉 but also that gives me the capacity to really observe you, learn your body, guide you 1:1. It gives you the space as a class participant to go 'hey Sarah, that feels a bit funky, or wow that's amazing can we don some extra hip stretches today' I love that class vibe!
Here's a lil video about some of the back story to Pilates, but if you want know more drop me a line, I'd be happy to talk to you about your needs and goals, and hey drop in to a real or virtual class sometime.
Let's return you, to you.
...is that too cheesy??
Happy moving ✌🏻
Sarah x
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