Session 28

When I am in my Pilates classes it is so important to stay focused and not let my mind wander and think about other things. I find if I am not concentrating 100% on the exercises then I do not hold the position as well. As much as I try to stay focused though sometimes find I compare myself to my other classmates. I was particularly frustrated because I have having trouble doing The Rollover. I thought to myself, “I have done 27 sessions of Pilates; I should be able to do this.” Thankfully before I let this frustration spiral out of control and affect the rest of my session, I was able to put myself in check. It is important to remember that so much of Pilates working at your own ability that often times not everyone in the class does an exercise the same way. Nearly every Pilates exercise has some sort of modification to fit an individual’s ability. And one’s ability may change from day to day depending on how there body is feeling; just because I can fully do an exercise today doesn’t mean I will do it the same way tomorrow. I also had to remind myself as I looked at the other members of the class that some of them have been practicing Pilates for over a year or maybe even over five years. Instead of looking at those students and saying “I should be at that level and do the Rollover too” I need to tell myself, “When I have been practicing as long as they have, I will be able to do The Rollover.”