pilates progress report 23:37:33 on Thursday, June 25 2009

I've taken a few classes now, and oh guess what?  It's getting better and better, it undeniably is.  Each class has brought out a new set of nerves and self-doubt and I have approached each a little differently - but I think I am finding my way. 

I know that my style and my way will evolve gradually and will shift and change over time (I hope it will - I don't want to get stagnant and predictable!)  but I am easing into it and it's more comfortable already.  Having done the training and started to teach, when I attend classes as a participant - be that a Pilates class, Yoga, or anything else, I have a totally different perspective!  Having stood in front of a class, I now am constantly and automatically looking at other teachers styles and am honing in on the teacher-participant interaction.  I pick up tips on what I think works well, I file moves and routines away in my brain in the hope of remembering and re-using them, I take note of the things that don't seem so good, I listen out for good music, I consider how much to talk and how much to be quiet, how much to demonstrate and how much to decribe.  I do all of this from the perspective of the Pupil, but with the knowledge that I have aquired as an Instructor, and I am learning and learning and learning - and starting to really love it! 

Al

connecting 23:25:00 on Thursday, June 25 2009

It's been a while - again - since I blogged.  Thoughts, experiences, words, ideas - there are always so many that I want to share and I'm going to make a new years resolution (why wait til January - that's aaages away ) to share a little more, a little more often. 

Having said that, in less than three weeks from now I am going to be away for just shy of 3 weeks, and will not be blogging then!  But before, and after, well I will see what I can do.  I have heard - and in many ways agree - that blogs are a form of self-indulgence (not in a "bad" way!) for the fact that it is the writers space to express what they want to, how they want to, when they want to, and to put there thoughts "out there" (via the www) in a way that not so long ago was not possible.  It gives the writer a voice, a space, and potentially may offer opportunity.  For me, despite my frequent absences and regular ramblings about day to day simple things, my blog is indeed a space that I appreciate owning.  I get to connect with you, reader, I get to voice things, I sometimes get feedback, and I get to indulge a little in my love of writing. 

I want to write more.  I've been nagged about it.  I want to do it.  I want the time to do it.  Many - if not all - of us have a book within us... but just how many of us would be published.  I am not sure that I would, but one day I would like to try - and find out.

In the meantime, I'll just keep on blogging...

Al

possibly post 500 23:39:08 on Wednesday, June 10 2009

Well well well, according to my blog stats this is blog post number 500.  But the stats are not always to be trusted!  And today has seen me complete day number 1 of being a 33 year old.  And lesson number1 of teaching Pilates.  (And day number 4 of consecutive rainy days.)  And 5 weeks from today will be day number 1 of my longed for holiday escape! 

Pilates.  Ooooh was I filled with butterflies.  It was a long class - an hour and a quarter (as opposed to the usual 55 mins).  I was providing cover for another teacher at the gym and my class was small - 5 men, 2 women.  And in amongst them was a recovering broken neck and a recovering broken rib.  Now there's a challenge before I have even begun! 

I don't know what they thought - they were a pretty quiet bunch but I got good feedback when chatting to one of them at the end.  It is going to take me a little while to find my niche and settle and work out what works best for me and my participants, I know.  And I also know that the only way to doing this is practice practice practice.  I am so thrilled to be qualified but it's not simply a qualification that is going to make me effective and confident and successful - the route to these things will depend just as much on that thing that is all-important in this life - experience. 

Al

Now we are 4 00:05:58 on Wednesday, June 10 2009

Happy Birthday Springback.  We are alive and well and doing our best, and apparently doing good work.  Happy Birthday to us, we're here to stay.  If we can help we will, promise you.

Al

the 07.44 from robertsbridge 00:58:08 on Sunday, June 7 2009

I've got to get this off my chest!  I didn't miss the train - the train missed me! 

As if I wasn't already anxious enough about my day (I woke at 4.30 am with a head full of busy-ness) the last thing I needed was to miss my train.  I had to start on a good footing surely, by turning up on time.  So I arrived at the station with a good few minutes to spare and went to buy my ticket - there was time enough - and I could have got the ticket on the train if there hadn't been.  As I paid up at the ticket office, the train rolled into the station.  Anxious I asked the ticket officer if I should make run for it.  The train has arrived early but it can't leave until 07.44, he assured me.  So I paid up, crossed the bridge, and the platform, pressed the button to open the carriage door.  It was 07.42.  The train pulled away, departed the station, and left me in a stunned, not so silent silence, standing abandoned and aghast.

I hot-footed it back across the bridge and into the ticket office.  By which point the station manager was already on the phone reporting the event to the powers that be whoever they are.  Panicked, I spoke to him - I have an exam, I can't be late, it went without me - the guard saw me coming and they still went without me -  it left two minutes early WITHOUT ME -what do I doooooooo?????  I was trembling.  I was POWERLESS!!!! 

Several phone calls later I boarded the 08.10 and arrived in london half an hour late for a very important day.  I got a taxi rather than walking the last leg of the journey, to save precious minutes.  And I was greeted with warmth and understanding and a hug from a star of a girl who I was going through the assessment process with. 

When that train left without me, I was inclined to believe is was setting a precedent for the day - start on the wrong foot and it only gets worse.  But that sort of understanding is a lie, a falsehood, a myth.  If and when things go wrong, whether or not they are in your hands, you CAN start the day again, all over again, at any given moment.  It's up to you.  Not southeastern rail - or any one else. 

Be strong.  Live the life you want to live.  Be the person you want to be, and you'll achieve the goals you are aiming for.  There are all sorts that we have no power or control over.  But they needn't rule us.  Have trust!

Al

pilates 00:39:55 on Sunday, June 7 2009

I've been and gone and done it

Today I headed back into the City for to submit my portfolio that has involved alot of work, and the practical teaching assessment, and the outcome is..... I am a Qualified Mat Pilates Instructor.  Hooray! 

Less than a year ago I had an awakening and a realisation that I had to look at new openings, new avenues.  I knew I had to do it and it was inspiring and exciting but it also scared me.  I didn't know how or if I was going to go about it.  What scared me more though, was the thought that I wouldn't proceed with it, I would just talk about it, ponder over it, but nothing would happen.  Change is scary - lack of change was alot more scary.

I've done it.  I've officially opened a door and am walking through and I hope to enter a room full of people who I can share the journey and my knowledge with, and they may feel the benefits that I bear witness to, of pilates.

So reader, I am back, I promise.  My head is out of the student zone (for now!) and back on planet earth (just!)and I will catch up with those who have been waiting, as soon as I can. 

Al

PS.  JW, if you are reading, forgive my non reply to date - to hear from you some times ago, after all these years, was amazing.  Lets catch up - soon x