Efforting

I think and talk about efforting a lot.   For myself, I usually want to be very good or great at everything I do.  Perfect would be perfect.  But trying, or efforting to be good at something has always been a thorn in my side.  I simply don't know how to do it in such a way that I get the results that I am going after.  I try very hard and then develop an expectation that my results should match the amount that I am trying.  It rarely if ever works out that way for me.

As far as Pilates goes, that might mean that I try to do movements my body is not prepared to do (not warmed up), work too fast (not focussed or experiencing my body) or simply attempt some movement beyond its capabilities (neither strong or flexible enough).  I may be able to continue on this route for some time, but eventually the result will be an injury.  A person with a body less prone to injury might hit a plateau, or develop muscle imbalances that will lead to an injury somewhat further down the line of their life.

What to do?

My current trajectory in Pilates is to put the effort into my concentration and focus.  Being in the present, focussing on one thing:  my body and what it is doing in the moment, and allowing the rest to flow from that.

That doesn't mean I'm not using my muscles!  I am using them, just using them in a more mindful and efficient manner.

Finding Your Posture From the Bottom or From the Top

I  spend a little time finding my posture  most days.  My usual method is to start from the ground up.  I start with my feet, feeling weight under all 4 corners of the foot:  under the big and little toes and the outside and inside of the heel.  From there I usually squeeze the balls of my feet and heels toward one another isometrically, waking up the arch of my foot.  With the arch of my foot doming up, I find my pelvic floor and engage.  Now I have two arcs doming up, my foot arch and my pelvic floor. I line them up. Now I go to my solar plexus, the top of my diaphragm and add that to the mix.  The final dome is the roof of my mouth, or the top of my spine.  When I have all my domes lined up and lifting I am usually in a solid posture:  strong, active, connected and vibrant with energy reaching up through the crown of my head and supported by my legs and feet.  I learned this technique from Wendy Leblanc-Arbuckle.

Today I tried a different technique.  I closed my eyes imagined myself suspended from the ceiling.  My body drifted around for a little while.  I thought about my organs and where they were in my body.  My body stilled and I found myself in alignment.  It felt completely different than the first technique, much floatier, more spacious and quite effortless.

I like both techniques and can see how on any given day I might prefer one to the other.  It's great stuff to play with and find out which technique works best for you, or if you are like me you might find them both useful.

Giving 100%

You know how when you are really committed to something you want to give it your all and more?  Most people think that if it is worth doing it is worth over-doing.  My position is slightly different.

I ask all my clients to effort only as much as 70% in their sessions, even less if they can.  Why?  I want them to have the energetic room to sense their bodies, to be able to feel what is going on.

Think about it.  If you are putting every ounce of your energy and attention into efforting, there is no room left to feel what you are actually doing.

Personally, I have found that by putting less energy into trying so hard to perfect my movement experience and instead going inside, being present, and feeling what I am doing, my ability to move forward in my practice has grown exponentially.

This also usually means, not moving quite so fast, which can be a hard one for a lot of people.

Working Hard and Fast

Even though I've been doing Pilates for over a decade now, I tend to enjoy a level 2 class the best.  Today I decided to try a hard and fast class to find out if I could do it, and how I would feel afterwards.

I took a level 3 Classic Pilates class and we really moved fast through a lot of material.  Although I kept up with the class and held on to my form,  I definitely missed the deep work that I find available to me when working at a slower pace.  Afterwards I felt like I still needed another class to give me that satisfying and energized feeling I expect to get from a good class.  Huh. 

Something to think about...

Small Group Classes Starting in January

I haven't posted anything for the longest time!  I found out that I am actually not a daily blogger.  But today I have something to say!  I am finally adding some new classes to Pilates by Violet.  I love teaching one-on-one and firmly believe that this is the way to start your Pilates journey.  It's expensive though, and it dissuades a lot of people from learning this wonderful method.

I honestly don't know any better way to support yourself in wellness than learning to do Pilates correctly.  To be able to put your body in alignment and work your body safely and efficiently is simply the best gift you can give to yourself.  I want to share Pilates with everyone so I have decided that the best route to go is small group classes.

Starting in January I will be teaching a Fundamental Mat Class of 3-5 people.  This class will go over an introduction to Pilates principles and all the key ingrediants that give you a strong base for continuing into more advanced classes.  Great for beginners, but also a terrific review for those that have been doing Pilates for a long time.

I am also introducing a special small group class for tennis players which will focus on re-balancing muscular work, grounding, and core engagement.  Class size will be 3-5

Dates are still to be decided depending on interest.

Looking forward to Pilates in 2014