For some 7-8 years I've been going to my local gym for pilates and occasional workout class but always pilates.
And it took me some time to achieve what I thought was a balance, I wasn't as pilates-fit as our trainer but I felt good changes in my body and actually grew a whole centimeter. :)
We are a large group there (at least 20, usually more) and our trainer only instructs us, she doesn't go around improving our posture and setting us straight in positions we are supposed to achieve.
And I want to improve - I can feel my spine losing its mobility just for the 3 months I've been away from it.
So, I've decided since I love doing pilates, to go to a real pilates studio and exercise in a small group of 5 where the trainer is always there to make you do the exercise right (and basically torture you). :)
There were 2 studios that I decided to try and now I'm having a problem. I mean I decided to go to the second one, where they do straight Pilates pilates and not STOTT pilates which seemed interesting to me when I went for a class there.
One of the things I love about both pilates studios I've been to, is that the atmosphere is completely different than from the gym. They are more oriented to the individual and it feels more welcome and you feel like someone is actually paying attention to what you do.
Of course, this is going to cost me twice as much as my usual gym card did, but I'm willing to try and see if it works (and from the 2 classes I've been to, I can't see how it won't).
Hmmm, if you were wondering how did I get to explaining my pilates studio choices from pilates being the love of my life, well it's easy.
I love it so much and I saw that what I did wasn't getting me anywhere, so I decided to change my routine pattern that was a normal part of my life, and go for something new and more demanding.
I am ready to face my new pilates life. Beacuse I love it so much.
And I hope after a few months of training in a little group and learning better pilates postures, I will go for an instructor course.
Beacuse this love of my life brings more fullness to my life the more I invest myself in it. Isn't that what true love is about?
Pic by: http://www.stottpilates.com/
I have been doing Body Control Pilates (which may be an English variety, I don't know) for nearly a year now, but only once a week and not when I go on my trips, which is all too often lately. I still sit and stand better even though I am not doing the exercises whilst away. I am too lazy to practice in between the individual classes, but still I feel a benefit.
ReplyDeleteThere are between 6 and 10 people in the class I go to and the instructor always spots anything you do wrong and comes and corrects you.
So I understand your love completely, even if I am out of practice right now!
Ines, I absolutely love Pilates, too, even though I just do the floor exercises at home, from a book. For the past two months, I've been hitting the running trail and the pilates even harder than I normally do, and my body is transforming in amazing ways. (Which basically means that my ass, so impervious to change, is finally getting narrower. Yay!) ;-)
ReplyDeleteChanging subjects, guess what arrived in my mailbox this morning? Thank you, thank you Sweetling! I'll send you an email after I've had a chance to wear them! oxxo
Vanessa, it seems pilates varieties are cropping up everywhere. :) The STOTT pilates studio I went to first also has a pilates technique developed by the studio owner, but I forgot the name.
ReplyDeleteThe thing I'm wondering now is why it took me so long to understand I needed a better training than the one I was getting. And can I just say, I chose perfectly - I was there for another class today and I feel great.
Ok, so I ache all over (yeeey!) but I feel full of energy and the whole class is so fluid and appropriate to each of us, the exercises are adapted to each of our levels. I love it. :)
Suzanne, did you ever go to a pilates class or you just started with the book? That's very ambitious of you as I know I would never have the drive to exercise as well by myself as I do when there is a trainer. Unfortunately. I know myself that well, and I did try. :)
ReplyDeleteI honestly think with the tempo and exercises in this studio that I'll be seeing some results in a month. :) The optimistic me to the fore.
Btw, I was a bit worried already if the package arrived or not because my boyfriend mailed more than a month ago. Shouldn't surprise me though, our post seems to consider summer as non-working period even though people are at work. :S
Hope you enjoy them (although I forgot what else was in it from L'Intrigante). My memory is seriously faulty. :)
Ines, I used to work at a place that had a fitness instructor and took some classes with her, but basically I've been doing pilates for 9 years (off and on...there have been times when I went for months without doing it) using one book: Michael King's illustrated "Pilates Workbook." This summer my college-age niece saw me doing my routine at the beach house where we were staying, and she asked me to teach her all of the movements. So I did, and she loved it so much she asked me for a copy of the book for her birthday. :)
ReplyDeleteRegarding the package, it did take a long time to arrive compared to the last one you sent, but it's here now safe and sound. In addition to L'Intrigante, you sent me Coty Fatale (yowza, love the name!). Full report will be forthcoming. :)
I hate excersising. Of any kind. I push myself into doing it, I do it on and off for the last, probably, 10 years - and I HATE it. That's why I'm really envious of those people who enjoy running/swimming/etc. I tried different activities and there is nothing I would be doing if I didn't have to. Sad.
ReplyDelete~ Undina ~
I hate when blogger eats my comments and on my own blog too.
ReplyDeleteSuzanne, you are really the best of aunts. :) And I sincerely admire people who can stick to their own workout routine. I need someone to make me stick to it for the whole hour, otherwise I just do something and quickly and I'm off to do something else.
Ha! I sent Fatale. :) Can't wait to hear what you think.
He, he Undina, that really sucks. :)
ReplyDeleteI used to hate jogging but I had to do it while at university (I was in a rowing team and it was part of the training) but I got used to it. The thing is, I love the way I feel afterwards so I now enjoy all manners of exercises.
Maybe eventually you'll find something that fits you. Then again, maybe not. :)
Ines, I keep trying, keep trying... :-)
ReplyDelete(and yes, I agree with you about the blogger's behavior - I experienced it myself many times recently - grrrr!)