Copyright STOTT PILATES®
I recently heard someone say, “Pilates is like learning a new language.” If you talk to any experienced Pilates instructor, they will likely agree.
When I asked a few of our Harmony staff instructors to share their advice for clients new to Pilates, there were three common themes:
Open Your Mind
“Keep an open mind! Someone once said to me “Pilates never gets easier, it just gets more familiar”. It is so true, after nearly eight years I am still learning new things on a regular basis about exercises I thought I had mastered. Things that initially seem easy get harder and things that initially seem impossible will be mastered; so just be patient!” – Tara
Be Confident
Think about the way babies learn to speak? They don’t worry about how the words sound, they do their best to emulate their parents and older siblings until one day, their funny little sounds form audible words. You can apply the same approach to learning Pilates. Follow the choreography as best as possible, and implement your instructor’s cues as your body & mind allow.
“Arriving at your session with an open mind can really help new you find confidence in trying new ways of moving your body. Hopefully you will be able to loosen up and have fun within the session too!” – Jamila
Patience, Patience, Patience!
Nothing worthwhile ever comes easy, right? If you feel overloaded with information in the beginning, choose one thing to focus on, like breathing. Once you have a good connection to your breath, focus more on the choreography, and so on. Sooner than later, all the pieces will fall into place and you will be fluent in Pilates!
“Pilates may at first seem complex in details. Things will get easier. With patience and focus on form, you’ll soon see and feel the power of this practice.” – Molly
Years ago, in high school, I remember my French teacher saying “you’ll know you are really beginning to understand the language when you start dreaming in French.” Well, if you find yourself counting to one hundred and pumping away your arms in your sleep, then you are well on your way to living and breathing the Pilates way of life!
