When you reach a place in any Pilates exercise where you tremble or vibrate a little in your abdominal muscles and you hear me say, "There's the justice," I don't mean it as punishment. It's mostly a little joke that started with one of my students about a year ago. I was trying to explain to her that sometimes when you are new to Pilates or even if you are a seasoned student and approaching something challenging, your muscles will tremble a little. It doesn't hurt, and even though you think you might "feel" it the next day, you usually don't. I was teaching this student the rollback on the cadillac for the first time and I was making her go slowly taking a breath to imprint practically each vertebra one at a time when she started trembling. In the moment, I went to say,"There you go, did I do it justice, the way that I explained it?" What came out of my mouth was, "There you go, am I doing the justice?" She continued, still trembling, and said, "Yes! You're doing the justice!"
From there on out, we decided to call that moment of deep challenge "the justice."
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Saturday, April 30, 2011
The Method
Twice we have gotten people calling the studio asking the same question:
What method do you teach in your studio?
I hold myself back from saying, "The Pilates Method" because I think that would be a little cheeky.
My response to them is that we are a mixed method studio, and that unfortunately is never the answer that they are looking for.
In both occassions, they have responded with "but what method?!?"
So, I list the certifications that are held by different instructors: BASI, STOTT, PMA, etc and hope that the person on the other end will find something to cling to.
In both cases, none of this information was satisfying.
The first time the woman on the other end of the phone asked with horror, "But with so many different backgrounds how do you teach?" ...as though without some stringent identifiable format that every instructor adheres to people would be falling off of the Reformers and leave the room with their heads on backwards.
I explained that we all adhered to the same fundamental principles and that we met once a week to work out together and share ideas and our understanding of different exercises, and that doing so we all develop a deeper comprehension of the work.
She still said, "but I don't understand how that works."
I told her the one hundreds are still the one hundreds, the roll up is still the roll up.
She wasn't buying it. I think that she wanted me to say I was certified by a certain person whose name I won't mention at risk of starting a stupid back and forth that I've seen elsewhere in the Pilates community regarding this woman, but if you're in the industry you know who people like this are most easily associated with.
The second phone call of this nature was similar in tone, very terse and aggressive. So, I even asked her what method she was looking for so I could tell her which of our instructors might best suit her, but she refused to answer me. She just insisted that I list the programs my instructors have attended, and as I was doing so, she hung up. Yes, hung up. Very mature.
These convarsations just make me shake my head for the rest of the day. There is no one way to teach Pilates. I believe in the talent and intelligence of our instructors. Not one of them would trash another instructor or their abilities, especially with regard to anyone's certification. I feel sad for students who are indoctrinated to believe that a "label"of a certain method or the teachings of only one person surpass the wisdom and understanding of others. They are missing out on a lot of great knowledge by clinging to one ideal. Perhaps in both of these circumstances, the person on the other end of the phone chooses to be so stringent in their thinking on their own. However, if that single minded line of thinking came from their instructor, shame on them for perpetuating the mythology that only one person or "method" could know how to teach Pilates.
The next time someone calls, I am just going to come out and say it.
What method do we teach? The Pilates method.
What method do you teach in your studio?
I hold myself back from saying, "The Pilates Method" because I think that would be a little cheeky.
My response to them is that we are a mixed method studio, and that unfortunately is never the answer that they are looking for.
In both occassions, they have responded with "but what method?!?"
So, I list the certifications that are held by different instructors: BASI, STOTT, PMA, etc and hope that the person on the other end will find something to cling to.
In both cases, none of this information was satisfying.
The first time the woman on the other end of the phone asked with horror, "But with so many different backgrounds how do you teach?" ...as though without some stringent identifiable format that every instructor adheres to people would be falling off of the Reformers and leave the room with their heads on backwards.
I explained that we all adhered to the same fundamental principles and that we met once a week to work out together and share ideas and our understanding of different exercises, and that doing so we all develop a deeper comprehension of the work.
She still said, "but I don't understand how that works."
I told her the one hundreds are still the one hundreds, the roll up is still the roll up.
She wasn't buying it. I think that she wanted me to say I was certified by a certain person whose name I won't mention at risk of starting a stupid back and forth that I've seen elsewhere in the Pilates community regarding this woman, but if you're in the industry you know who people like this are most easily associated with.
The second phone call of this nature was similar in tone, very terse and aggressive. So, I even asked her what method she was looking for so I could tell her which of our instructors might best suit her, but she refused to answer me. She just insisted that I list the programs my instructors have attended, and as I was doing so, she hung up. Yes, hung up. Very mature.
These convarsations just make me shake my head for the rest of the day. There is no one way to teach Pilates. I believe in the talent and intelligence of our instructors. Not one of them would trash another instructor or their abilities, especially with regard to anyone's certification. I feel sad for students who are indoctrinated to believe that a "label"of a certain method or the teachings of only one person surpass the wisdom and understanding of others. They are missing out on a lot of great knowledge by clinging to one ideal. Perhaps in both of these circumstances, the person on the other end of the phone chooses to be so stringent in their thinking on their own. However, if that single minded line of thinking came from their instructor, shame on them for perpetuating the mythology that only one person or "method" could know how to teach Pilates.
The next time someone calls, I am just going to come out and say it.
What method do we teach? The Pilates method.
Monday, April 25, 2011
The agony and the ecstasy.
You can't please all of the people, all of the time.
It's amazing to me that in a single evening, a single hour, a person can experience to completely opposite ends of the spectrum.
We have had a student come into the studio who had a lot of trouble with our scheduling and cancellation policies. Long story short, she discontinued her training because she sound the 24 hour cancellation policy and online scheduling system confusing, and could only train at a single specific hour on a single specific day, a time and day which happens to be an advanced group class that is already full on a regular basis. When she informed me that she would not be returning, I was crestfallen. We, my other instructors, receptionist, and myself have tried to be respectfully clear from the beginning with her, but we have watched, with curiosity, as she proceeded as though our world as though the 455 other people who have attended our classes didn't exist.
When I get home, there is an email from Cheryl. Cheryl is the second Cheryl that I have trained that has been inspiring. There must be something in that name. She had tried a CARDIOLATES class tonight which she wasn't sure she was ready for, and she made it through, and had dropped me a line to let me know that she thought it was awesome that she made it through, but that one of her calves hurt and she is bordering on being discouraged, but that she was determined to stick to it. Responding to that email was the most satisfying thing I have done all day, all week. I had a person at the other end who came to me looking for help, and I could help her. I could tell her that it'll be okay, that I know how she is feeling, that it's my job to help her get where she's going, and I could let her know that I was there for her. The exchange felt so easy, so right.
It makes me wonder, the first occurrence, the agony situation, could I have done something different? I failed her. I couldn't find a way in. If I had bent over all the way to be a good customer servant, 3 other students would have to slow down their progress to wait for her to catch up. I wonder if she were in their shoes if she would have been as amenable to someone who has only been to two classes coming into her class. I can only hope that she finds what she needs elsewhere.
It's amazing to me that in a single evening, a single hour, a person can experience to completely opposite ends of the spectrum.
We have had a student come into the studio who had a lot of trouble with our scheduling and cancellation policies. Long story short, she discontinued her training because she sound the 24 hour cancellation policy and online scheduling system confusing, and could only train at a single specific hour on a single specific day, a time and day which happens to be an advanced group class that is already full on a regular basis. When she informed me that she would not be returning, I was crestfallen. We, my other instructors, receptionist, and myself have tried to be respectfully clear from the beginning with her, but we have watched, with curiosity, as she proceeded as though our world as though the 455 other people who have attended our classes didn't exist.
When I get home, there is an email from Cheryl. Cheryl is the second Cheryl that I have trained that has been inspiring. There must be something in that name. She had tried a CARDIOLATES class tonight which she wasn't sure she was ready for, and she made it through, and had dropped me a line to let me know that she thought it was awesome that she made it through, but that one of her calves hurt and she is bordering on being discouraged, but that she was determined to stick to it. Responding to that email was the most satisfying thing I have done all day, all week. I had a person at the other end who came to me looking for help, and I could help her. I could tell her that it'll be okay, that I know how she is feeling, that it's my job to help her get where she's going, and I could let her know that I was there for her. The exchange felt so easy, so right.
It makes me wonder, the first occurrence, the agony situation, could I have done something different? I failed her. I couldn't find a way in. If I had bent over all the way to be a good customer servant, 3 other students would have to slow down their progress to wait for her to catch up. I wonder if she were in their shoes if she would have been as amenable to someone who has only been to two classes coming into her class. I can only hope that she finds what she needs elsewhere.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Teacher vs. Trainer
With the influx of new students in the studio, I've been thinking a lot about my role as an instructor. Whenever we have a new student come in who indicates that he or she has previous experience, it could mean numerous things. Essentially, it means that I have to get to know two people in the training relationship without ever usually getting to meet the other trainer. Sometimes, it's lovely, and I want to send a thank you note for teaching such precise technique. In other cases, I wonder what happened. A student will insist that they are "advanced" but have never done short spine or will have no control or focus. Whatever the case, the best thing to do is roll with what the student brings into the room and try and isolate what the student wants: a teacher or a trainer.
When I began my Pilates education, the person who lead you through workouts was called a "Pilates Instructor." To me, that made a great deal of sense. What I was approaching was more than just exercises. It was a system, a language, and what made it all so interesting was the complexity of it. Back then, Pilates was not yet listed in Webster's dictionary and not many average people knew what it was.
While I went from student to apprentice to full fledged PMA certified instructor to studio director, Pilates went from a somewhat obscure practice to something performed by an estimated 10 million Americans. With that evolution there have certainly been growing pains throughout the industry, and several different species of instructors came into existence.
I am most comfortable as an instructor when I emulate those who taught me. While the workouts were always challenging, they were also educational. I always left invigorated with something physical to work on and something to think about. Instructors who teach this way I think of as "teachers."
Sometimes, however, I find that some people do not prefer to know or understand the work intellectually. They just want to move and often they just want to "feel the burn." As a younger instructor, I would have been easy to assume that those people just wouldn't "get" Pilates work, and I probably would just let them go their own way. Over the years, I have learned that there are all kinds of ways to learn and process information. I came to appreciate that some people can still connect with Pilates work without needing to understand the function. They just want or need to move. So, I learned to move them. In some ways it's easier, to give them physical direction and keep them in the right spot without explaining the why. When I put on this "role" in a class or session, this is when I feel like a "trainer."
Over the course of a training relationship, I find that I am both: the educator and the driving force. I have to figure out how that particular person receives instruction. Some people are more cerebral and some people are more kinetic. Of course, I also try to help them with balance between the two modes of learning. Sometimes, I have to work hard to get those cerebral folks moving so on some days I try to get them to "not think", and sometimes I have to focus in those kinetic learners because without a little bit of mind in their bodies, they lose control.
Teaching Pilates sometimes feels like spinning a plate at the tip of a stick, you know?
When I began my Pilates education, the person who lead you through workouts was called a "Pilates Instructor." To me, that made a great deal of sense. What I was approaching was more than just exercises. It was a system, a language, and what made it all so interesting was the complexity of it. Back then, Pilates was not yet listed in Webster's dictionary and not many average people knew what it was.
While I went from student to apprentice to full fledged PMA certified instructor to studio director, Pilates went from a somewhat obscure practice to something performed by an estimated 10 million Americans. With that evolution there have certainly been growing pains throughout the industry, and several different species of instructors came into existence.
I am most comfortable as an instructor when I emulate those who taught me. While the workouts were always challenging, they were also educational. I always left invigorated with something physical to work on and something to think about. Instructors who teach this way I think of as "teachers."
Sometimes, however, I find that some people do not prefer to know or understand the work intellectually. They just want to move and often they just want to "feel the burn." As a younger instructor, I would have been easy to assume that those people just wouldn't "get" Pilates work, and I probably would just let them go their own way. Over the years, I have learned that there are all kinds of ways to learn and process information. I came to appreciate that some people can still connect with Pilates work without needing to understand the function. They just want or need to move. So, I learned to move them. In some ways it's easier, to give them physical direction and keep them in the right spot without explaining the why. When I put on this "role" in a class or session, this is when I feel like a "trainer."
Over the course of a training relationship, I find that I am both: the educator and the driving force. I have to figure out how that particular person receives instruction. Some people are more cerebral and some people are more kinetic. Of course, I also try to help them with balance between the two modes of learning. Sometimes, I have to work hard to get those cerebral folks moving so on some days I try to get them to "not think", and sometimes I have to focus in those kinetic learners because without a little bit of mind in their bodies, they lose control.
Teaching Pilates sometimes feels like spinning a plate at the tip of a stick, you know?
Monday, November 1, 2010
Criticism
It's been a while since I've taken time to write.
Sometimes, all it takes is a little thorn in your side to get the creative juices flowing.
It just so happens that I had read this blog post from Carolyne Anthony's blog:
http://www.thecenterforwomensfitness.com/blog-1/bid/53650/We-are-all-created-equal-in-the-Pilates-world
Carolyne is a master instructor with an amazing understanding of Pilates AND a genius with its pre and post natal applications.
A few days later, one of the regular students of our studio came in and related to me a tale of her experience when she decided to try a different location, one that she decided to try when she got what I will call a "groupon like certificate." Everybody just calls them all "groupons" whether they are from Youswoop or Living Social or another entity.
I digress.
I had told this student, as I have tried to tell all my students, that my main goal at the studio is to create an unpretentious environment in which everyone can comfortably experience Pilates' work under the guidance of knowledgeable instructors. We all come from different backgrounds: From the Center Pilates, Power Pilates, Village Pilates, Fletcher Pilates, and STOTT Pilates. I think that we actually are better for it. Essentially, at the core, no pun intended, we teach the same exercises, but sharing our different experiences with each other has given all of us entire new bags of tricks. It is also way more than different cues and imagery. We learn from each other how to solve the mysteries of when student X does an exercise, she can't quite get this part right. We learn to tweak our spring tensions, gear bars, and body positions to help an exercise make sense to a student. The same equipment and body adjustments can be made to completely challenge and boggle the mind body connection of a student. We look at our differences in philosophy and technique not as something to argue about, but as something to illuminate a deeper understanding of the work, and we always ask. "Why?"
So, when this student told me about her experience at this other place, I was a little chafed. Her first instructor was strict and authoritative in the worst sense of the word. She also made sure to mention that she learned her Pilates in New York years ago, repeatedly. Although my personal bias is that it shows your "age" as a Pilates instructor as well or your complete disconnect with the Pilates educators of today to tout your "New York" training from a long time ago, I will say that it is possible that this woman had a wonderful comprehensive education from one or many Pilates elders. Based on the rest of the story, I doubt it. The coup de grace with this instructor is that she left this student feeling like she didn't know anything about doing Pilates, even though this student has been working out at PPP since June. The instructor repeatedly informed her,"You're doing that wrong" and never really told her how to do it "right." Her biggest failure was that her attempt to win over the student by trying to prove that we had not taught her anything backfired.
I've never been comfortable teaching from the negative. Maybe it works.
The second experience is a real kicker as well.
My dear, sweet student decided to give another instructor a try. This time it was a man. He asked about her previous experience, and she told him she'd been coming to PPP since June. He then proceeds to warn her that at PPP, we are "classically" based and that his approach was contemporary and going to be a lot different. She said when all was said and done, it wasn't that different. He maybe had her turn her leg into parallel when she had it externally rotated through the hip. What gets me about this guy is that he has never met me before in his life. He has never set foot in my studio, and obviously he hasn't even looked at the website. So how can he claim with authority to know what I teach?!?
I understand the compulsion to build your credentials by criticizing someone else's, but I think I learned early on that if you don't have anything to back it up, you just look petty when you criticise someone else.
And yet, here I am criticizing someone else, but it's okay, because I'm criticizing their being critical....right?
What it all comes down to is an affirmation that the formula I teach by is working:
Be honest
Don't guess
Know your work
And continue to get to know it
Have an open mind
Remember that it is about the students, and not yourself.
Remember also that it's Joseph Pilates that invented the work, not you.
And for today, that's all she wrote.
Sometimes, all it takes is a little thorn in your side to get the creative juices flowing.
It just so happens that I had read this blog post from Carolyne Anthony's blog:
http://www.thecenterforwomensfitness.com/blog-1/bid/53650/We-are-all-created-equal-in-the-Pilates-world
Carolyne is a master instructor with an amazing understanding of Pilates AND a genius with its pre and post natal applications.
A few days later, one of the regular students of our studio came in and related to me a tale of her experience when she decided to try a different location, one that she decided to try when she got what I will call a "groupon like certificate." Everybody just calls them all "groupons" whether they are from Youswoop or Living Social or another entity.
I digress.
I had told this student, as I have tried to tell all my students, that my main goal at the studio is to create an unpretentious environment in which everyone can comfortably experience Pilates' work under the guidance of knowledgeable instructors. We all come from different backgrounds: From the Center Pilates, Power Pilates, Village Pilates, Fletcher Pilates, and STOTT Pilates. I think that we actually are better for it. Essentially, at the core, no pun intended, we teach the same exercises, but sharing our different experiences with each other has given all of us entire new bags of tricks. It is also way more than different cues and imagery. We learn from each other how to solve the mysteries of when student X does an exercise, she can't quite get this part right. We learn to tweak our spring tensions, gear bars, and body positions to help an exercise make sense to a student. The same equipment and body adjustments can be made to completely challenge and boggle the mind body connection of a student. We look at our differences in philosophy and technique not as something to argue about, but as something to illuminate a deeper understanding of the work, and we always ask. "Why?"
So, when this student told me about her experience at this other place, I was a little chafed. Her first instructor was strict and authoritative in the worst sense of the word. She also made sure to mention that she learned her Pilates in New York years ago, repeatedly. Although my personal bias is that it shows your "age" as a Pilates instructor as well or your complete disconnect with the Pilates educators of today to tout your "New York" training from a long time ago, I will say that it is possible that this woman had a wonderful comprehensive education from one or many Pilates elders. Based on the rest of the story, I doubt it. The coup de grace with this instructor is that she left this student feeling like she didn't know anything about doing Pilates, even though this student has been working out at PPP since June. The instructor repeatedly informed her,"You're doing that wrong" and never really told her how to do it "right." Her biggest failure was that her attempt to win over the student by trying to prove that we had not taught her anything backfired.
I've never been comfortable teaching from the negative. Maybe it works.
The second experience is a real kicker as well.
My dear, sweet student decided to give another instructor a try. This time it was a man. He asked about her previous experience, and she told him she'd been coming to PPP since June. He then proceeds to warn her that at PPP, we are "classically" based and that his approach was contemporary and going to be a lot different. She said when all was said and done, it wasn't that different. He maybe had her turn her leg into parallel when she had it externally rotated through the hip. What gets me about this guy is that he has never met me before in his life. He has never set foot in my studio, and obviously he hasn't even looked at the website. So how can he claim with authority to know what I teach?!?
I understand the compulsion to build your credentials by criticizing someone else's, but I think I learned early on that if you don't have anything to back it up, you just look petty when you criticise someone else.
And yet, here I am criticizing someone else, but it's okay, because I'm criticizing their being critical....right?
What it all comes down to is an affirmation that the formula I teach by is working:
Be honest
Don't guess
Know your work
And continue to get to know it
Have an open mind
Remember that it is about the students, and not yourself.
Remember also that it's Joseph Pilates that invented the work, not you.
And for today, that's all she wrote.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Don't believe the hype.
Trends cannot always be trusted.
http://www.acefitness.org/getfit/studies/toningshoes072010.pdf
Above is a link to a recent study on fitness shoes that are unstable on the bottom. According to this, there is little difference between this and regular running shoes. The only real benefit is that it might motivate people who aren't otherwise compelled to take a walk.
My mother has a pair of these. A few people I know and think are very intellegent people have multiple pairs. All of them have the feeling that they are accomplishing something. For many, that is a very difficult thing to acheive in the realm of fitness.
I consider that an advantage. Just like I consider other trends like "hot yoga", cutely named fitness classes such as booty ballet and buff brides bootcamp, and infomercials to be advantageous. Sometimes, we need that excitement to get moving, and I'm all for movement. Heck, in my days working as a waitress at the Cheesecake Factory, I burned off a slice of cheescake a day by doing TaeBo with Billy Blanks on my TV in my little studio apartment.
Just remember, folks, that this formula, in it's purest essence, will always hold true: get off the sofa, move around in a way that you enjoy and causes you to sweat a little, or almost lose your breath. It doesn't take money. It just takes motivation to get up.
I am a big believer in losing your breath once a day in any fashion, by being inspired, surprised, or just plain juumping up and down.CARDIOLATES, anyone?
http://www.acefitness.org/getfit/studies/toningshoes072010.pdf
Above is a link to a recent study on fitness shoes that are unstable on the bottom. According to this, there is little difference between this and regular running shoes. The only real benefit is that it might motivate people who aren't otherwise compelled to take a walk.
My mother has a pair of these. A few people I know and think are very intellegent people have multiple pairs. All of them have the feeling that they are accomplishing something. For many, that is a very difficult thing to acheive in the realm of fitness.
I consider that an advantage. Just like I consider other trends like "hot yoga", cutely named fitness classes such as booty ballet and buff brides bootcamp, and infomercials to be advantageous. Sometimes, we need that excitement to get moving, and I'm all for movement. Heck, in my days working as a waitress at the Cheesecake Factory, I burned off a slice of cheescake a day by doing TaeBo with Billy Blanks on my TV in my little studio apartment.
Just remember, folks, that this formula, in it's purest essence, will always hold true: get off the sofa, move around in a way that you enjoy and causes you to sweat a little, or almost lose your breath. It doesn't take money. It just takes motivation to get up.
I am a big believer in losing your breath once a day in any fashion, by being inspired, surprised, or just plain juumping up and down.CARDIOLATES, anyone?
Sunday, August 1, 2010
The Domes
Once a student has been made aware of postural/ alignment issues, one of the most common approaches I see them take is to throw their body in the opposite direction. If they slouch, they force themselves upright. If the hike up one or both or their shoulders, they try to shove them back down. I understand the impulse. You want to fix the problem as soon as possible. Unfortunately, it's not as black and white we would like. We can't just "put it back" when we realize that it's out of place.
When we get into mind sets like these, it's important to remember that ultimately, our goal is centering. When all is said and done balanced muscle development is the goal.
So when trying to self correct your posture, think of lining up your "domes". This is a little imagery trick I learned from two amazing Pilates instructors: Arlene Bass and Sharon Gawin in their "Unlocking Thoracic Mobility" workshop. (I always feel the need to give credit where credit is due.)
Your body has natural structural domes. Going from the bottom up, the first is in your feet. If you place your feet together, you'll find that the arches of your feet form two halves of a dome. Going up to the pelvis, your pelvic floor is a dome. Above that, your diaphragm is dome like, and then over that the roof of your mouth is also a dome. I've found that if you try to center these domes, one on top if the other, you'll develop a relaxed centered posture over time, rather than one that slouches out of tiredness and forces itself back up.
Give it a try.
Let me know how it works for you.
When we get into mind sets like these, it's important to remember that ultimately, our goal is centering. When all is said and done balanced muscle development is the goal.
So when trying to self correct your posture, think of lining up your "domes". This is a little imagery trick I learned from two amazing Pilates instructors: Arlene Bass and Sharon Gawin in their "Unlocking Thoracic Mobility" workshop. (I always feel the need to give credit where credit is due.)
Your body has natural structural domes. Going from the bottom up, the first is in your feet. If you place your feet together, you'll find that the arches of your feet form two halves of a dome. Going up to the pelvis, your pelvic floor is a dome. Above that, your diaphragm is dome like, and then over that the roof of your mouth is also a dome. I've found that if you try to center these domes, one on top if the other, you'll develop a relaxed centered posture over time, rather than one that slouches out of tiredness and forces itself back up.
Give it a try.
Let me know how it works for you.
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