I want to thank a new client for bringing up AGAIN for about the millionth time since I’ve been on the Pilates path that the general word on the street is that Pilates is JUST A BUNCH OF STRETCHING. Quelle Horreur!
She strolled into the studio and I asked her innocently enough how she was feeling before we started her session. I always ask, I need to know if I am going to follow the path in my head or do we need to change it due to any number of possible unforeseen things.
(With a new client (under 5 lessons) I start with some basic info, begin to teach the beginning reformer, maybe start to add the transitions, weave in the beginning mat exercises, and for fun if there is time, a couple of things on the caddy like roll backs and push thru etc…)
She answered that she was a bit sore from her lesson yesterday at the gym with her personal trainer friend, and she needed to do her Pilates stretching. Inside me, I felt the change take place, the transformation under the skin, the ‘other’ Sunni, the one no one really ever experiences unless they have offended me in some grand way. It’s like a disguise, I don’t alter my tone, nothing changes on the outside (I don’t become The Incredible Hulk) but my mind did a hop-switch like no other.
The HELL with the reformer, (did she really say, ‘isn’t that the bench I’m usually on pointing to the reformer’, as I showed her The Magical Wunda Chair?)
So we began, footwork springs were 1 high 1 low, could she sit closer to the front edge? Could she put her feet on the bar without engaging the spring?
Isn’t this like her hated stomach massage on the reformer? The one we have to move to 2nd gear for her comfort? Why yes, yes it is. What a great observation!
In my mind, I’m thinking this is a workout, this isn’t about comfort. She has a healthy, no injury body, no challenge=no change, hmmmm have I been too easy on my new clients, have I not shown them that the work belongs to them.
I have spoken of length, of engaging this muscle and that, of holding ALL of this quiet while we move only the legs.
Today, can we find a tall lengthened back and stay still while the legs press the pedal. Tendon stretch? Remember elephant on the reformer? Can you bring that spine shape to this exercise? Reach your back into my hand, lower your heels and keep from rocking your hips back. NO?
And so it went, right through to the very evil teaching of MY stairmaster….Going Up Front.
I did put the chair right in front of the caddy, so there were poles to hold on to, I gave her plenty of spring just as I did during a long try of not achieving pull ups (How do you DO that, I can’t even begin to lift that bar up) Hmmm, bummer. Must you keep bending forward sticking your ass out behind you was my annoyed thought. What I said was, keep the length in your spine, standing as tall as you can…etc etc etc.
Then we did squats with the rollback bar, standing wall work and bicep curls using 2lb weights, (Only 2 lbs, I used 10 lbs yesterday at the gym) and holding her arms out on a make believe shoulder height table. I really need you to keep your arms long, then bend in at the elbows without lowering your elbows. Could you lengthen your arms please? Could you please keep your shoulders on your back body, they keep sneaking forward and up around your ears…YES I know you did bicep curls yesterday at the gym with 10 lb weights, but you got to hold your arms down by your sides…sorry in Pilates we use light weights only and 10 lbs held like this would possibly injure her delicate shoulder girdle.
We finished up on the reformer with running and pelvic lifts, you’ve never seen anyone so happy to feel the reformer supporting her body, she questioned the heavier spring for pelvic lift because she was tired, but I told her that in this case, like most times in the studio less spring meant more challenging work. So enjoy not killing your hamstrings on your last move of the lesson….take your Pilates posture to gym next time you go, and I invite you to bring your personal trainer friend with you into the studio for a look see. Pilates is a workout! Nuff said.
IMG_0571Sunni is owner of Studio S Pilates in Temecula, California, which has recently hosted a few great Classical teachers, such as Alisa Wyatt, Jennifer Kries and Andrea Maida, and has some more workshops and goodies in the works for the rest of the year.
Website: www.temeculapilates.com
Email: studio_s@icloud.com