30 Days of Pilates - Challenge

"In 10 sessions you will feel the difference, in 20 you will see the difference and in 30 you will have a whole new body." - Joseph Pilates

I'm going to take the old man up on that and challenge myself to this promise. Partly, because my own practice has been slacking and I need a do-over. And partly, because I want to be constantly reminded why I'm doing, what I'm doing.

So, I will commit to at least 3 Pilates classes per week (shooting for 4, if time and space allows). Self practice will not count. One hour counts as one class. (My studio offers some half-hour classes back to back, so two of those will count as one class). I will note my progress every 10 days to see what's going on in my body, what's changing and what's challenging. 

On the side, I will keep my diet as clean and balanced as possible (as I'm currently pretty good at that). I will also keep up my occasional runs (2.5 miles, about 3 times a week) and my weight lifting regime (also about 3 times a week). If nothing else, maybe this will push me past my plateau that I've been sitting on.

My first class was earlier today, after a 10 day break. I felt the need to concentrate more on balancing and stabilizing. It's definitely the right time to be doing this, full force! I wanted to go for a run after, but it was too hot and so I kept it at a fast walking pace. 

I have another class planned for tomorrow (half mat, half reformer) and Thursday.

Let's do this!

Pilates Teacher Training: The Reformer

We're in week 9 of our training, and not only is time flying by, it's also getting more intense and overwhelming with every session. The exercises themselves are the easiest part. Wording and cueing, finding the correct spring tension and remembering the actual names of the exercises and their countless variations - not so much. At this point it's really just a matter of studying. Sitting down in a quiet space and concentrate on the content. Study. Easier said than down, seeing that I haven't done that in quite some time. Life also seems to be getting busier and more hectic every week. Excuses, excuses, I know.

So far I've 'taught' four hours of mat and one hour of reformer. Not my proudest confession. I know I need to get over this hump, push through and jump right in, but this is probably one of the most challenging things I've done in years. It's scary to put yourself out there and pretend to be knowing what you're doing, when really, you're pooping your pant. Not to mention the damage you could be doing to another person, that's relying on you to get them in better shape, not worse.