It is Tuesday and time to write a 'Slice of Life."
Thank you Two Writing Teachers for creating this supportive community
of teacher-writers!
As you do this exercise, remember to button your lower spine to the mat.
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A friend of a friend was seeking clients for sessions on a Pilates reformer, to accumulate enough hours to become fully certified as a Pilates instructor.
I volunteered immediately to support her in this endeavor. I wanted to help this young person in her pursuit of this new goal, and, selfishly, I was eager to try this exercise approach. Years ago, I took a Pilates matwork class at our local YMCA, and I have always been curious about the machine workout, the Pilates reformer. According to the Pilates Foundation, Joseph Pilates worked with patients who unable to walk, helping them to become more physically fit:
I invented all these machines…it resists your movements in just the right way so those inner muscles really have to work against it. That way you can concentrate on movement. You must always do it slowly and smoothly. Then your whole body is in it.
Joseph Pilates
At the studio, I was immediately overwhelmed by the array of reformer ‘beds’, mats, and bars. I am so thankful that I had the studio by myself for personal coaching. I had to concentrate on every direction offered, there were so many precise and small movements.
Perhaps I exaggerate her prowess, but, wow, she stretched me. (Yes, that is a pun.) With her patient and clear guidance, we began with a series of leg exercises, sets of which were only minutely different from one another, and yet worked my muscles in unique ways –
toes on the bar, mid-foot on the bar, heel on the bar, feet in Pilates V, feet hip width apart, feet wide - at the outside edge of the reformer, feet and thighs tightly together, feet together and thighs separate - like a frog… I was putty, manipulating my body to follow her every command, holding no other thoughts in my mind than the movement she suggested. I think I “held my belly button against my spine” for the entire hour, lol, as she gently guided me through a variety of core-strengthening exercises. Just like that, the hour was over. I was delighted to help this young woman accomplish her goals. If you’ve ever doubted the value of small, incremental changes, try a session on a Pilates reformer.
Congratulations on your first session on a Pilates reformer! It is exciting to try a new modality of exercise.
It was really fascinating; I was totally hooked by it. Wonderful exercise. Thanks for commenting!
Sounds great. It is freeing to just relax and try to follow instructions sometimes. After a day of teaching (and making 10,000 decisions) this sounds great.
Yes, you are right! It was very relaxing, really, to simply follow her commands – almost meditative. Thank you for commenting!
Maureen,
I’ve never used a pilates reformer. I don’t know if any local facilities that have them. I really think I’d like the machine because I love barre exercises, which also emphasize small movements and muscles.
I was truly amazed by this equipment. It is a very expensive machine; I’m not sure I can afford to work with a trainer on a regular basis – but what a fun thing to explore. My body feels good all over! lol
Maureen, this sounds like something I need in my life and also yoga. I need some time on mats and floors and bellybutton to spine experiences. Mostly, I think I need Downward Dog with a real dog as part of the lineup and those wine glasses you hold between your toes and tilt every now and again and take a sip as it hovers over your mouth . Seriously – – so my running brother and I who used to run 5 and 10 Ks together? Yeah, he ran with his girlfriend today on our childhood island home and I wasn’t there to be part of all the exercise and celebration festivities. I’m feeling quite guilty that I haven’t picked up any exercise since breaking my ankle last fall. I need to get moving, stretching, pulling, pushing, tucking in my tummy. Thanks for this inspiration today. I feel less lazy with a seed of an idea of a plan brewing……
You are so funny! Loved the line about Downward Dog with real dogs and wine glasses between the toes – there are many small movements that help us to unwind, yes, indeed!
Sounds fantastic! I need some stretching and Pilates in my life!
It was super fun! It was “easy” in the moment – and 24 hours later, oh my, delayed-onset muscle soreness set in. I could tell that I have not been moving enough, not using my core enough, on a day-to-day basis.
I have never tried Pilates and now I’m wondering what the differences are in Pilates reformer and regular Pilates in the benefits for the body, I will have to look into it.
I don’t know anything about Pilates, and I learned something new on your page–that there is a Joseph Pilates. I will keep my ears open for a session on Pilates reformer. Interesting post. I’m glad you could help the young trainer.