Physical Investment

Often when the word investment pops up the mind immediately jumps to finances or retirement. What about the investment in our physical body? That might even be more important in terms of our freedom later in life than all the savings and money market accounts combined. Especially when the economic bubble bursts again.

But what does that actually mean a physical investment? Having spent a lifetime in a profession that demands a physical body, professional dance, that investment is everything. Now as a Pilates’ studio owner and devoted practitioner I still believe it’s a worthy asset.

Why is it important?

We live in a nation surrounded by quick fixes, newest and greatest fads all engulfed in a boot-camp mentality. Thousands maybe even millions of individuals believe it is possible to change one’s body in an instant. We have pills, magic potions and other snake-oil concoctions for sale everywhere.

All of this fuels a mindset that you can trash your body today but wake-up tomorrow exercise like crazy and all is forgiven. While it might be possible for a teenager or someone in their early 20’s to manage this once in awhile, there comes a point when it screeches to a halt. I dare say it never really worked but was just an illusion.

This all or nothing mentality exacerbates and encourages extreme fitness. It forgoes key components of maintenance and creates deep pockets of complacency. Plus it discourages longer periods of study and apprenticing at all ages and fitness levels.

I’ve spoken in a previous post about the perils of extreme fitness that can be found on my wellness blog titled “Rational Fitness.” So let’s look further at tools that positively support a physical investment.

• Build a solid foundation
• Look for ways to keep it fresh
• Consistent training is non-negotiable
• Ongoing self-study is part of the venture
• Mentorship is vital to longevity and enjoyment!

Foundation-student perspective

Whether one is a Pilates’ teacher or just an enthusiastic devotee getting off to a healthy start is key to success. There are many reasons why this is important. From elements of safety to understanding that Pilates is an integrated system with diverse apparatus. It is NOT only reformer, only mat or only something else.

At our studio we advise that each and every person starts with private sessions. This allows the trainers to assess individual body issues, see how the person moves and be more in tune with how to assist that person towards meeting their goals.

It’s worthy to note here that according to Pilates’ elders like Jay Grimes there were no group classes given at Joe and Clara’s studio. The only known group classes were those given to dancers at famed Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival. Thus, highly trained bodies not a group of novices taking a class at a gym.

Many individuals have previous movement foundations that they bring to the table. However, some students come with a clean slate as far as a movement background is concerned. Beginning individually allows for this diversity in previous training.

Either side of the spectrum needs time to lay the groundwork, just like learning a language. First you acquire a few words, then sentences and voilà you can carry on a conversation.

A big component to a strong foundation is taking time to study with one or two persons at a time. This gives the body time to incorporate the nuances of said teacher and explore them within your own body. Jumping around sampling makes this more challenging both physically and mentally.

Then comes the ultimate question how long does it take to lay a foundation? This is where I’m going to show my age and old school thinking. As with everything it depends. Whether one is looking to become a Pilates’ teacher or just develop a healthy practice.

From the student perspective I feel the first two to three years of serious study are the ground floor. That means taking class a minimum of two times a week.

I use myself as an example. Throughout my dance career, which lasted three decades I studied Pilates, but never on a consistent basis. While this set the spark I don’t count it as my Pilates foundation. True groundwork began once I was taking a regular weekly class with Marjorie Owen in the Netherlands.

Additional landmarks of a solid foundation are:

• Desire to do exercises at home or when away from studio
• Grasp some basic Pilates’ principles such as stability, centering, breath & control
• Understand basic Beginner Level exercises on reformer, mat, high chair & wall etc.
• Beginning to think about posture and Pilates in daily life

Foundation-teacher perspective

Becoming a Pilates’ teacher demands a different level of commitment than being a studio client or enthusiast. Teachers must have a deeper and richer understanding of what I call “the why” of the work. Sure absolutely they need to know the details of all exercises but just as important is the how and why this exercise might be used and for whom.

This part, the why, is what takes the longest. I feel it demands self-study and consistent practice years before entering a teacher-training program. In quoting a long-time Romana-certified teacher she said “I would suggest a minimum of eight years studying Pilates as a good foundation prior to entering a certification program.”

A certification program model

The Iyengar Yoga School has in my mind one of the most rigorous educational teacher training programs. While obviously it is not Pilates I think it is a robust model to learn from. While there most certainly are other strong models, I know this one from the inside as an intermediate level graduate and former member of the Examining Committee for the Dutch Iyengar Association. (My disclaimer)

To begin with one has to prove a prior three-year consistent self-practice and study before even applying to the training program. Two certified teachers, one of which will remain the student’s ongoing mentor, must approve the student’s application into the program.

The certification program is a three-year course of action. Each year incorporates a four-fold curriculum. The components include teaching, self-practice, philosophy and anatomy. Each subsequent year the four components are offered but at a more challenging educational level. Every year exams must be completed in all four fields in order to advance to the next year. If these are not passed one repeats the previous curriculum.

After the three-year process if final exams are completed the certification is a Level 1 or 1 and 2 combined Introductory Level graduate. Meaning basic certified teacher. To my knowledge there are at least 9 more levels to acquire if one is really devoted beyond Introductory Level 1 and 2.

Why I think this is important to mention is it emphasizes that developing both a practice as well as teaching skills takes time. It is not something that happens in a weekend or even a year. It’s a life long journey.

It also hones in from the very beginning that studying is a commitment. That’s the piece I miss in Pilates so much these days. Acquiring a certification is just one small step on the learning road. I see the rush to push certifications and gain graduates we lose the vitality of rewarding long term investment.

Teaching a moving art needs to be in the body first and foremost before teaching. Think back to the language example, would you want to learn French from a teacher that was not able to speak the language fluently?

Consistent training

As a teacher I find it invigorating to take class. I find something new in what can be called old familiar exercises. I also think it’s important to have someone else look at your body. No matter the level of sophistication in our individual training it’s impossible to see all the details in our own moving body.

Life throws daily ways of creating imbalances in the body and having a trained eye look over us, disparities can be more easily dissolved. Taking a class allows us to deepen our practice and explore the work from the eyes of a student. Thus, bonding the teacher and client from a variety of angles.

I also think it’s vital to distinguish between taking workshops and ongoing classes. Workshops offer new ideas and concepts to further our education. However, if one is not taking class or having a consistent self-practice these ideas quickly fade since they have not had the chance to move from the theoretical to the practical (read in your body).

From my vantage point as a former professional dancer lack of maintenance is synonymous with injury, no work or a dearth of enjoyment. If one becomes less diligent with their practice elements of innovation and exploration start to whither. This dithering in one’s personal practice ultimately comes out in performance that is lackluster, disappointing or even dangerous.

Keeping it fresh

While for me taking class is how the work stays fresh. I also feel being around other teachers who are passionate and knowledgeable about Pilates is invigorating. Recently I had the wonderful opportunity to study with Sean Gallagher in New York City. Besides getting a great workout the inspiration flame is turned on.

Letting the body enjoy other physical forms of movement also aids the notion of “freshness.” Personally I enjoy both swimming and hiking hills. Both get me outdoors and are completely different from Pilates. And the bonus is you can use your Pilates’ training in anything else you do, from gardening to cycling to standing taller in the supermarket!

We try to keep our studio fresh also by inviting guest teachers to come work with our students and other Pilates’ teachers. Recent inspirational instructors have been Frank Zito, Karen Frischmann, Bob Liekens, Grete Gryzwana, Lucero Barry and upcoming in August is Benjamin Degenhardt.

Self-study

I separate self-study from taking class. Self-study is in my mind the investigative part, reading materials, talking with individuals, breaking down exercises and in general dissecting the work from all angles. It could be from an artistic view, biomechanical or anatomical perspective or just purely for FUN purposes.

Of course it entails consistently working out by yourself, but the above-mentioned pieces are important to developing the art. Self-study is also the time to take what one has acquired through various workshops or class and apply it directly to the work. In other words put knowledge into practice.

Mentorship

I am a big fan of mentors. I’ve been very lucky to have so many motivating souls invade my life. From a Pilates’ perspective I find it very rewarding to be among those who have years experience in the field. Thus, I gravitate to teachers who have seen a lot of bodies pass before their eyes. Their hands-on experience is literally felt in their hands.

Choosing mentors is obviously a personal matter and some of mine are not Pilates’ instructors but those who assist me as a student, teacher or business owner. For example, I’m fascinated by the art and science of physical therapy. Throughout my career I’ve developed strong relationships with physical therapists, such as Ted Willemsen in the Netherlands and Bob Baker in California.

In addition, I have a close friend who is a trusted “business” mentor who I can call for advice and talk through situations. He provides wonderful support because he is outside of the realm of Pilates and thinks from a pure business standpoint.

From a teacher mentor perspective I feel a crucial piece in assisting young teachers is simply, “You have to BE around!” What do I mean by that? You have to spend hours and hours in the studio with young teachers. They need guidance, have questions and constant supervision. Too many young teachers are left to fend on their own, which is not helpful when trying to solidify one’s teaching skills.

My final point is let’s get back to being realistic with individuals, encourage long periods of study, be up front that a piece of paper with a certificate is just that. Real education takes time, hang around with those who paid their dues and applaud individuals who are not in a hurry. Support the journey at each and every phase!

“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.”

Benjamin Franklin