My Pilates journey.

I had a bad back. 

Being in the first flush of youth at 47 I ignored the problem expecting it to get better naturally somehow, like pretty much everything always had to that point .  

It didn't. 

During an agonising trip to an NHS physiotherapist I managed to retain the fact that they had instructed that I should do 'Pilates', whatever that was.

At my first Pilates class I was enraged and humiliated to find that I was required to sit on the floor. Like when I was at primary school.

In the midst of the peeved dismay aroused by this first lesson I noted the sensation of the journey up and down my spine brought about by doing a move called the Bridge. 

I had never considered the condition of my individual  intervertebral discs before nor realised that the spine is supposed to be flexible, reasoning that it was some sort of coat hanger type arrangement on which one hung the muscles and so should be rigid. 

At the end of the course, quite liking the tempo of the class and the introduction to neglected muscle groups, I was dismayed to be told that I should not return next term. 

Apparently I should graduate to a higher level class.
My dismay turned to delight at this recognition of my inate athleticism.  I'd known it all along of course. What class was I to enter?  Expert?  Advanced?  Advanced gifted?

'Beginners' I was informed.

When one hangs around such places it becomes noticeable that the better looking physiques belonged to those attending the 'advanced' classes. Inherently suggesting that this an outcome of perseverance in this field.

I wanted some of that because they looked free, well proportioned and unemcumbered by pain. 

Quite sexy actually, some of them.

Realising I'd been mooching around in the foothills I purchased a copy of the source code for the entire Pilates phenomemon.  A book entitled 'Return To Life Through Contrology' written by one Joseph H Pilates. Which explained the name.
Some of the moves in that book seemed preposterous. I don't recall seeing my parents doing any of that.

The photo's in the book are of Mr Pilates demonstrating the moves aged 60.

Challenged by this and reinforced by the memory of the relief I'd experienced to date and the reduction in the painkillers I'd been using, I decided to take the subject seriously and to train to be an instructor just so I'd know what they know.

It was touch and go whether they'd admit me to the course I applied for because I was still having some difficulty with some of the moves but they accepted my assurance that I would be ready in 6 months time for the commencement of it . So I had to set to it.

I'd assumed the course would be fairly simple there being but 34 moves in Mr Pilates book . 

It didn't turn out quite like that.  A set of exams were required including one on anatomy which, if you've never considered the subject before, is somewhat of an eye opener. The endocrine system alone makes a good case for the belief in a higher power. 

I qualified two years after my visit to the physio.

There are many panaceas, systems and promises offered to a largely sedentary population with weight issues. I wanted to find one that actually worked. 

Pilates has for me and for others I've had the pleasure to guide over the last 7 years. You can peruse a particularly heartfelt review on this site.

I took up instructing in order to maintain motivation. If there is a crowd waiting for you it doesn't matter if you're in not in the mood that day and if they are staring at you for directions you won't take breaks and will try to execute each move to the best of your ability.

Some thoughts now I've done it for some time.

Mr Pilates recommended that you do the exercises five times per week.  This seems about right depending on your other activities. 

Take your time.
Everyone's journey is different. Don't be put off if you see others performing the moves with apparent ease. They almost certainly didn't start like that and you can get there too.

Pilates knew what we should be capable of.
Across his lifespan (1883 - 1967) he'd witnessed a decline in the physical aptitude of the working population. He wrote his book for the sedentary worker. The moves, which may seem preposterous initially, after a while become so perfectly feasible you might wonder what all the fuss was about.

What you get.
Increased energy, ease of movement, less injuries, a toned physique, a tendancy to weight loss, an awareness of your posture. The cumulative effect is that you'll feel years younger and have escaped the the apparently one way journey into middle aged decline.