Now is the time that our summer sessions are starting up in various towns across the state. That means there are a number of people trying Pilates for the first time. This is wonderful, of course, but often newcomers to Pilates can feel a bit frustrated. Some of the exercises seem awkward at first, the breathing is hard and unusual, and engaging your belly button and kegel for a full hour seems like a near impossibility. There is a method to Joseph Pilate’s madness, and with practice all the exercises become easier and easier.
It’s important to try not to get frustrated. Pilates is very unique and beneficial. No matter what kind of shape you are in or exercise regime you are used to, when you start something new your body will feel it rather intensely. You may work out on an elliptical everyday of the week and be in superb shape, but that doesn’t mean if you go for a run the jaunt will be a piece of cake. In fact, you’re likely to be pretty sore from using different muscles and potentially pretty winded.
Different types of exercise definitely complement each other, but they all push us in different ways. Our bodies need to learn and memorize how to complete strange tasks. It’s a fun challenge.
I’d like to welcome all our returning Pilates students back for the summer and congratulate all our newcomers for being brave enough to try something new. Pilates is a wonderful form of exercise that strengthens you from the inside out–working some of your deepest muscles. I hope you learn to love it as much as I do.
