That One Pilates Friend...

Do you have that one Pilates friend that is just happy to be there?

No matter what HELL may be headed your way during group class or during a semi-private session, you can also count on this Pilates friend to make your session more enjoyable?

- Someone you get to share your ups and downs with.

- Someone who knows how to laugh off the hard stuff.

- Someone who always celebrates everyone else’s wins.

- Someone who understands your love for the work (Pilates). Because they love it, too!

- Someone who just makes class more enjoyable because they are there.

- Someone who is willing to go “butts up” with you for a photo.

Through my training experience, I had the pleasure of having that one Pilates friend who did all the stuff above! Her words during every workshop were “just think of how much better we’ll be in a year!” - such an amazing attitude. She made me smile and I believed and agreed with her!!!

We shared experiences and played and were able to be ourselves while we learned the work. Between her and my mentor, I believe I became a better teacher due to their influences and positive attitudes. I hope everyone is as lucky as I am - finding that one Pilates friend who understands you!

When you are first starting out:

- I know it can be hard to practice Pilates in a bigger body.

- I know it can be hard to find the right fit (studio/class/group/etc).

- I know it can feel like you don’t fit in sometimes.

- I know it can be lonely if you are practicing on your own.

- I know it can feel like there’s no one else out there that has been where you’ve been (and maybe that’s true)

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- I also know that things can change.

- I also know that sometimes you just need to take a leap of faith and go for it.

- I also know that there is a place for everyone in this world.

- I also know that one or five bad experiences does not mean you weren’t meant to move forward.

Here’s my love letter to you...

One of my goals, as a teacher, is to be a person who you can share your ups and downs with, who can help you get through the hard stuff, who will celebrate your wins, who has a true love for the work, who will help make your session more enjoyable...and I’d even go “butts up” with you for a photo.

I’m not asking you to take a class with me or book a private or semi-private session. I’m just saying that “I see you”.

I know there are people out in the world trying to find their first step forward, or trying to figure out what that first step might be because they don’t see a place where they fit in. If this is you, don’t give up. I believe you can find your first step!

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Photo: ”Butts up!” with that (my) one Pilates friend

*I have other Pilates friends, but this friend has been on a journey with me for over 2 years now, and through teacher training! Time flies and I know how lucky I am to have a Pilates friend like her!

Me - left; Pilates friend - right

A side note about Teacher Training and being a practitioner and teacher in a bigger Pilates body:

I recently reread a blog post my mentor, Carey Sadler, posted on her site that was titled, “How Much Should I Weigh Before Becoming A Pilates Teacher?”

When I was looking at the local teacher training program, I read everything about the program, but I also read all the blogs my mentor wrote about her program. **This particular post sealed the deal for me.

She wrote: “Instead of worrying about their weight or body size, I encourage those contemplating Pilates teacher training to ask themselves these questions [a list of questions not related to physical appearance or health]”

I’ve put the link below because you could easily change up the questions to be applicable to starting a Pilates practice.

http://www.rivercitypilates.com/much-weigh-becoming-pilates-teacher/