Pilates and how things may have changed a bit for you and your practice
Pilates is a workout that truly is about change. Many clients who first come to Pilates don’t “feel the burn” or “get it” and wonder what exactly is the point of Pilates. New Pilates clients are learning the apparatus, the choreography of the exercises, and their body is having to engage and work in ways it hasn’t before. On the other hand, long-time Pilates clients may be wanting to do things in their Pilates practice they used to do but, due to injury, life changes, or issues they have no control over so Pilates again changes with them.
Pilates is a practice that changes with you as time and your practice progress. This is one of the most wonderful aspects of Pilates. Pilates not only changes with the Pilates clients if there is an injury or issue as they continue through the years but also changes as you get stronger and more connected. This is how Pilates changes over time. For everyone.
This change in your Pilates is a good thing not something to fear, be confused or frustrated about. It is something that I like to tell Pilates clients to embrace. We are seeing where we go each day, each session together. Think about every day as you get out of bed how things may be different than the day before. You may not have slept well or slept better and you may have some ache that wasn’t there the day before or that ache is not there today. Pilates is different for you every time you enter the studio. This makes every workout a challenge, fun, interesting, and figuring out what that body can and will do today.
The wonderful thing about having the workout of Pilates with you over the years is the ability to see the changes and figure out how to adapt to them, move with them and stay strong! It is also this gift of realizing as you go through life that Pilates has kept you standing tall, moving more freely and able to do things that maybe you couldn’t have done if you had not been in your Pilates practice.
Pilates teachers have this great moment to not show the client or tell them what they CAN”T do but, to guide and show what YOU CAN do and give you tools to make that happen. Over the years as things change in your practice the Pilates teacher is there to continue to guide you down the path you have set or turned onto. To get you more challenged,, connected and figure out things for your body and movement.
It’s funny to hear someone say in Pilates “I used to be able to do this! I want to do this! “ OR “ I used to NOT be able to do this and now I can” . Both are key in the Pilates work. What does that mean?
Some Pilates clients have to deal with disc issues, Parkinson’s or MS, shoulder issues or hip issues. Maybe they can’t do the things in the outside world they used to be able to do, maybe in the Pilates studio things have changed in terms of what they can now do. That is ok! Pilates will take that journey with them. Now, the focus is different and the work changes as they go and continue into the practice. The goals have changed and the work becomes focused in a different way. Now is the time to see what Pilates CAN help you do! Not what you CAN’T do.
Other Pilates clients came in and didn’t think they would ever be strong enough to do some of the exercises in the Pilates work. They couldn’t get up and down off the floor or get that golf ball to go where they wanted, swing that tennis racquet with force or run marathons. Pilates gave the tools and connections to get these goals to be reached, continue to get stronger and more connected. Preventing injury as they realized now all the things that they could do. Pilates will show you what you WILL be able to do.
Not everyone likes change but when it comes to Pilates change is good. Change in Pilates moves with you and alongside you. This is what keeps Pilates doing Pilates for well over 20 years once they find it. It becomes part of your life and as your life changes Pilates is right there with you.