(no subject)
Finding a good Pilates instructor/studio has proven challenging. I called all four studios that are within a 10 minute drive of home and work and so far only one has called me back. I did drop in on a second one as it was on the way home from the bank. Both offer a free first session and then offer packages of 4 sessions for about $350. In the end, I decided to sign up with the studio closest to me. I figure if it's close and on my way to/from work, I'm most likely to stick with it for now. They also had the best equipped studio for the lowest cost for sessions/classes.
Last night was my first session. I was a little nervous and excited. I have some physical limitations (back issues, fibro) and I am very overweight. My instructor, Jenny, put me at ease right away. She asked a lot of fantastic questions about my health history, my goals, my current lifestyle. She told me about her journey to health and her instruction style. Then we started with some basic breathing exercises and some positions so she could assess my current level. I remember my breathing from when I took Pilates years ago, but it soon became clear I am a shallow breather and this is contributing to my pain and posture issues. Since I'm a shallow breather, my body isn't getting the oxygen it should and the muscles that assist breathing aren't in shape. Jenny also asked me if I used to be very flexible (able to hyper-extend joints easily) when I was younger. When I told her yes, she nodded her head and told me that my joints and ligaments are still loose but the muscles around them are weak and aren't trained to support my loose joints in a way that would allow me to move effeciently or support my posture and core. This made a lot of sense.
She also asked me about my fibromyalgia and insisted I talk to her througout the exercises so we were both aware of my body's limitations. She assured me we could and would work to increase my body's ability to do more and be stronger while still honoring my body's needs due to the fibro. By the end of the hour I felt refreshed instead of in pain or worn out, so I think she's on the right track.
One of my goals is to be able to keep up with _lady_narcissa_ when I go on a walking tour with her. If you haven't been on a walking tour with _lady_narcissa_, you know she can go for hours without tiring. I really admire that and want to have that level of endurance. I also want to be able to go on a hiking vacation with A again when he finishes school in a couple of years. There is no way I can do either in the shape I am in today. Yes, I would like to lose weight, but my primary goal right now is to have a healthy body.
I was so pleased with my session I wanted to see her again today! If I could afford it, I would go two or three times a week. Jenny's studio offers classes of 2-4 people so after a couple of months of private sessions I'm considering trying a class environment. I saw a class in session while I was there and it looked like a great way to work out once you have a strong foundation of the Pilates method and equipment. It's also cheaper to attend a class.
Anyway, I'm very pleased with my first session and am looking forward to next Thursday. I have homework for this week - more breathing using the Pilates technique and reminders to pay attention to my body and shift/extend my core or stand more on the balls of my feet to help align my posture.
I hope I'm this excited about working out after a month of sessions. :)
Last night was my first session. I was a little nervous and excited. I have some physical limitations (back issues, fibro) and I am very overweight. My instructor, Jenny, put me at ease right away. She asked a lot of fantastic questions about my health history, my goals, my current lifestyle. She told me about her journey to health and her instruction style. Then we started with some basic breathing exercises and some positions so she could assess my current level. I remember my breathing from when I took Pilates years ago, but it soon became clear I am a shallow breather and this is contributing to my pain and posture issues. Since I'm a shallow breather, my body isn't getting the oxygen it should and the muscles that assist breathing aren't in shape. Jenny also asked me if I used to be very flexible (able to hyper-extend joints easily) when I was younger. When I told her yes, she nodded her head and told me that my joints and ligaments are still loose but the muscles around them are weak and aren't trained to support my loose joints in a way that would allow me to move effeciently or support my posture and core. This made a lot of sense.
She also asked me about my fibromyalgia and insisted I talk to her througout the exercises so we were both aware of my body's limitations. She assured me we could and would work to increase my body's ability to do more and be stronger while still honoring my body's needs due to the fibro. By the end of the hour I felt refreshed instead of in pain or worn out, so I think she's on the right track.
One of my goals is to be able to keep up with _lady_narcissa_ when I go on a walking tour with her. If you haven't been on a walking tour with _lady_narcissa_, you know she can go for hours without tiring. I really admire that and want to have that level of endurance. I also want to be able to go on a hiking vacation with A again when he finishes school in a couple of years. There is no way I can do either in the shape I am in today. Yes, I would like to lose weight, but my primary goal right now is to have a healthy body.
I was so pleased with my session I wanted to see her again today! If I could afford it, I would go two or three times a week. Jenny's studio offers classes of 2-4 people so after a couple of months of private sessions I'm considering trying a class environment. I saw a class in session while I was there and it looked like a great way to work out once you have a strong foundation of the Pilates method and equipment. It's also cheaper to attend a class.
Anyway, I'm very pleased with my first session and am looking forward to next Thursday. I have homework for this week - more breathing using the Pilates technique and reminders to pay attention to my body and shift/extend my core or stand more on the balls of my feet to help align my posture.
I hope I'm this excited about working out after a month of sessions. :)