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.

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...

The Dangers of Pilates

The other day I read an article online regarding a British analysis of using Pilates for the relief of low back pain.  The article stated that not only was Pilates contra-indicated as a program to improve back pain, but that, additionally, it was dangerous and could make your back problems worse. 

While I continued reading the article I found that what they were actually saying was that individuals who were not doing Pilates correctly were having issues with their back and aggravating their back problems.

Unfortunately, I made the mistake of not book-marking the article on my computer and now I can’t find it for reference.   The article does bring up a concern that I rarely see mentioned regarding Pilates…this is an exercise system that is easily and frequently done incorrectly.

I may have the entire Pilates community chasing me with pitchforks for my belief that the mat classes (and group classes on the reformer and chair) are so easily misinterpreted.  I took mat classes for 2 years with no one-on-one instruction only to find that I was completely relying on my hip flexors to do all my ab work!  Yet, from looking at me, I presented as though I was doing the exercise correctly.   After 2 years I had significantly shortened my hip flexors and I had an even bigger lordotic curve.  My back started killing me, my hip flexors felt like they were on fire.  That is no longer the case now that I’m doing Pilates as it should be done due to regular one-on-one training.

Today, I regularly take mat classes where I observe many of the students incorrectly performing the exercises.  There is nothing wrong with the methods of the person training the class.  She/he is giving accurate explanation of the exercises and guiding the class well.  The problem is that the student is frequently working above their abilities or hasn’t really absorbed the information in their body.  They may be ‘concentrating’, but they really aren’t getting it.  Instead they are using their old muscular patterns and creating worse ones.

Yes, individual Pilates classes are expensive, but they are worth it.  I am sure a few gifted individuals are out there who can take in the information and accurately absorb it, but honestly these individuals are few.  Due to the faltering economy, I see the Pilates business paradigm shifting more and more into group- based classes. 

I am sincerely concerned about whether this trend can help people find their alignment, balance their bodies and locate their deep postural muscles so that they can enjoy the true benefits Pilates has to offer.

Very open to discussion on this one…