Exam Preparation Study Groups

Spirited Pilates is running study groups to get you ready for your mat exam! Come along on either NOVEMBER 7 or NOVEMBER 14 to participate in:

Round Robin Teaching Practice Refine Your Self Mastery Mat Class Programming and Sequencing Case Study Review Question Time

Study Groups will be held at MG Pilates 1:30pm- 4:30pm 128A Erskineville Road, Erskineville Investment $45

Please make payment via Bank Transfer to: Joanne Bezzina BSB: 923100 Acc: 33298361

EFTPOS facilities are NOT available.

[contact-form to='joannebezzina@icloud.com' subject='Exam Cram Sesh'][contact-field label='Name' type='name' required='1'/][contact-field label='Email' type='email' required='1'/][contact-field label='Comment' type='textarea' required='1'/][/contact-form]

Confessions Of A Virgo Pilates Instructor

I’m sure I’m not the only Virgo that has noticed that look. The one people give you when declare your sun sign is Virgo. The “oh, you’re one of those…” expressions. I’ve never cared. I’ve always been out and proud. You can mock my perfectly rolled towels with the stripes all impeccably aligned or the fact that every coat hanger in my wardrobe faces the same direction. I don’t care that you are living your life in disorder (neither do I understand it). When I discovered Pilates it was like I had arrived home. I had discovered an exercise methodology where moving with precision and accuracy are vital to its successful execution, it is little wonder that I became a Pilates Instructor. As a Pilates instructor I am extremely patient while you develop both your confidence and competence in the studio. I understand, Pilates is difficult. There are many things to think about while you set out on the path of efficient and pain free movement. I will ask you to breathe at a certain time while you consider your alignment, the order you recruit each muscle, the pace of your movement and the intensity at which you work – simultaneously. In life there is is a correct way and an incorrect way to do things. In the Pilates studio the correct way is the Virgo way and I will make sure that is how you are going to do it.

When it comes to Pilates, the directions are given for a reason. When done properly, Pilates is beautiful. It is quality movement that reminds the body that there is a place for everything and everything should be in place. Pilates is balanced by a rich history of order and sequence with the newest research to stay relevant. It IS the Virgo way: smart, focused, grounded and efficient.

The Pilates body (under my supervision) is like a mannerly dinner party at a fine dining restaurant. The food is exquisite, it is arranged on the plate delicately and intentionally. Each muscle behaves like the guests at the table: courteous, witty and charming conversationalists. Everyone responding cleverly, responses float through the air effortlessly with pause for effect. All of the other tables listen in enviously- wishing that their life was just as interesting and that they could engage with their friends in the same gracious way.

The Virgo Pilates instructor strives to ensure you embody this. Movement flows from one exercise to the next. The spine articulates at every level like a rhythmic gymnast’s ribbon. Each joint glides with ease, the breath is continuous without strain. Everything in your body is adhering to my Pilates plan. This is is the path to the sleek body you have been working to achieve. Strength balanced with equal flexibility and control. Your mind now focuses on all of the other elements in your amazing life while your body runs its own show. Grace personified.

The alternative repulses the Virgo Pilates instructor. For god’s sake- slow it down- are you a bull at a gate? Why are you holding your breath? Can you please not arch your spine like that! Pilates is methodical. There is a natural order that needs to be adhered to. You do want to do this correctly don’t you? We need to stop, re-organise and start again. Ugh!

Without the expert guidance and dedication to perfection the Virgo Pilates instructor offers, the body will begin to resemble a motley crew of dinner guests. The table will be rowdy. The food slopped onto the plate, one item on top of the other, sauces intermingling, unbalanced flavors- muck. The guests are not interested in genteel conversation. Oh no! Everyone is stubbornly determined to get their point across no matter how unruly. One person shouts over the top of the other until the only sound emanating from this table is loud indistinguishable noise. It is only a matter of time before someone is sent home in disgrace

Is this what you want? If so, off you go… to the gym with the grunters and groaners moments away from disc herniation and unsightly, hypertrophied muscles. Where is the precision? Where is the order? I spend my days teaching this beautiful exercise methodology, and you expect me to watch you taint it with your shoulders so close to your ears that your neck appears engulfed by your torso? I don’t think so. You are hurting my eyes.

So either charge ahead with your unrefined, mindless movement or come with me towards the light. The choice is clear to me.

This article was first written for www.mysticmedusa.com.

Where Does The Time Go?

The past few weeks have felt manic to me. While I have had two blog posts sitting in my head waiting to be written for weeks, I find myself (not unusually) trying to be everything to everyone- while the posts stay in my head instead of on the blog. The reason I bring this up is that this is hardly the first time that what I want to get done gets pushed to the side for the needs of others. And I'm sure it won't be the last. While this might sound like a whine to some, I think that most pilates instructors can also relate to the fact that actually, I don't mind AT ALL. I like being the helper. Helpers are valuable members of society- there should probably be more of us! It makes me wonder... How common is this personality trait within our industry?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1vQJFF2TKQ

Our desire to help people was probably a motivating factor for many of us gaining our teaching qualification in the first place. The drive to help others move forward in their bodies is what makes us wonderful teachers and what makes the pilates world wonderful. We think about our clients in our down time. We are excited when we attend conferences and we know EXACTLY the person that will benefit directly from what we have just learned. Most of us want to make a difference in the lives of others and if that means that we miss out on our usual afternoon off, just this one time, to help out- is that really so bad? The giving nature is definitely a positive attribute at work but to what extent are we putting ourselves last within the industry? Funnily enough this was a major inspiration for creating this blog in the first place!

I have seen this behaviour affect the amount of personal work out time I give to myself. To the point that it feels like weeks since I've done the footwork series and truly taken time to breathe. Have you ever demonstrated an exercise to a client and felt jealous that they are the one having the pilates session instead of you? Lately my brain has felt so tired that all I want to do is kick back and relax with my inner circle. I could go and treat myself to the rollback series on the cadillac but that would mean that I would have to go to my workplace where I already feel as though I have been living. I know that I want to nurture this blog space and it is something very important to me- but it can feel like there isn't any more space to give. When work colleagues are unwell or it is a time at the studio where all hands on deck are required, I WANT to help. I don't want to say no. It takes an awful lot before resentment kicks in but I admit- I have been resentful in the past.

Many years ago I remember Brent Anderson posing the question:

Do you want to be a pilates enthusiast or a pilates instructor?

I want it all! And I want to be a great friend and I want to be an excellent employee and I want to be a wonderful girlfriend and I want to be a loving daughter and I want to be a responsible pet owner and I want to be... everything to everyone.

One day, I will get the balance right. I have booked my private sessions in regularly with my friend (that I don't work with- very important). I will truly believe that I can say no and that, that is okay. I will find a time to treat myself this week. I will let myself off the hook.