Balancing Act

I've been taking pilates twice a week for the last ten weeks. My mom also takes pilates at the same place that I do. I was talking to her on the phone last night. I said that it didn't seem that in this whole ten weeks the instructor has emphasized that we are doing abdominal strengthening exercises. It's been all about finding balance in our bodies, and sure, we've used our abs somewhat, but it hasn't been the emphasis. It seems that in other pilates classes I've taken, there's been much more focus on the abs. My mom said that in the next level class, it gets much more "abdominally challenging."

Today I went to class, and the instructor said that now we are really going to begin using our abs, as we might have expected to in pilates. All that we've been doing so far has prepared us for this. It's taught us how to engage our abs correctly, how to breathe correctly with the exercises, how to have proper form, etc. I'm just a little surprised at the pace of this class. Don't get me wrong... I'm all for knowing about correct form and alignment, especially since I'm going to be teaching pilates soon. It just seems that I've spent $400.00 dollars so far on these classes, and maybe a little too much time has been spent going over the same things for ten weeks. On the flip side of that, it's surprising how easy it is to have "bad" form, and how it does take quite a bit of repetition to make that brain to body connection on good form.

I talked to my supervisor about coming back to work (my three months off ends at the end of March). She offered me a positon teaching pilates in June. I deliberated over it for a day, but there really wasn't much to think about. I've been wanting to do this, and it's a great opportunity, so I'm in! It's really good timing for me. I'll be a little sad to give up my Monday step and sculpt class, but I think a change is needed. I'll still be teaching dance aerobics, which prompted me to listen to music and dance around the house yesterday.




I think I've had just a little too much time on my hands lately, too much time in the house, and not enough social interaction. That leads to thinking too much, and depression can set in. Getting back to a routine will be good. It's all about balance, isn't it- balance in our bodies, and balance in our lives. You can definitely feel when something is "outa whack."