Starting Something New

It happens every New Year.  We all do it, even if it’s only in our minds.  Resolutions.  A promise to be better, try harder in the coming year.   And for most people, these resolutions include some form of getting into shape or improving their health.  Every January, gyms see a spike in their membership numbers.  People are taking stock and recognizing that a healthy lifestyle is a goal worth working for.

Over the past two weeks, I’ve been asked the same question many times:  “I’ve never done Pilates before.  What can I expect from Pilates?”   Most of the people who have asked that question have wondered if Pilates was “right” for them.  Some wondered if they would look foolish in the class, because they didn’t know the movements.  Others just had no idea what to expect – they heard Pilates was a great form of exercise, but didn’t know how it worked.

If you’re new to Pilates and are curious about what to expect, here are a few thoughts for you.

• In your first few sessions, you’ll learn fundamental parts of the Pilates repertoire:  engaging your core muscles, proper breathing techniques, pelvic stabilization, and the basic Pilates exercises.
• Don’t be too hard on yourself.  Pilates is a complex form of movement, and there are many moving pieces to coordinate.  You may feel a bit uncoordinated at first, but this is normal! I ask clients to commit to at least 3-5 sessions before making a judgment about whether or not they will continue with Pilates.  It will take a few sessions to really understand it all and put it all together.
• You will feel like you just worked out, but you won’t feel worn out.  In fact, you will probably have more energy than you did before the class.
• The following day, your core may feel slightly sore.
• Depending on your fitness level, you may also feel some tension in your neck or back.  If you do, talk to your instructor about it before your next class.  Generally, these tensions will go away as you build more core strength.
• You will feel like you’ve used muscles that you didn’t even know you had.
• You might not see a difference in your body right away, but you will feel it.

That last point is the most important.   You will feel the difference.  Clients will leave a class feeling completely difference, even after just one session.  Joseph Pilates was once quoted as saying,  “In 10 sessions, you will feel the difference.  In 20 sessions, you will see the difference.  And in 30 sessions, you will have a brand new body.” Find out for yourself.  Commit to 30 classes and see for yourself what Pilates can do for you.    New classes are starting next week, and we also offer private and semi-private sessions for a more personalized Pilates experience.  We’re here to help you take that step and help you meet those resolutions head on.

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