The Accidental Session
“Looking for shoulder strength? Let’s take a walk to the High Chair for Press Ups”
You know that feeling when you have a great (I mean GREAT) Pilates workout?It's awesome. And ideally, it's intentional. It's by design.There really shouldn't be any accidental success in Pilates.
Lessons are stellar because they are meant to be. Because your instructor thoughtfully planned, and responded to the needs of your body applying sound science and enough intuition to simultaneously address what you want and what you need. Truth be told if you are really getting what you need - it is indistinguishable from what you want.
In a recent final test out from our teacher training program we talked through the all-important final part of a private session. That's the part where instructors synthesize everything they have seen in the session so far and carefully identify the issues they want to tackle. For many instructors the question they ask themselves is "what body part do I want to work on with this client?". The answer to that question should lead to the choice of Apparatus and thus the exercises.
But there is a more important second question that absolutely needs to happen in order for those Pilates sparks to really fly.And that question is - "what is the goal for that body part".
Knowing you want to work on your shoulders is great. But knowing specifically if you need strength, range of motion, or stability will pretty dramatically alter your lessons. Looking for shoulder strength? Let's take a walk to the High Chair for Press Ups. Looking for shoulder range of motion? Meet me at the Cadillac for a Reverse Push Through.
Pilates teachers, asking the right questions is the best path to guaranteed results and the Pilates workouts that deliver above and beyond. To Pilates lovers everywhere - be specific about what your body needs. Don’t be afraid to hold your instructors accountable by asking why they choose what they choose for your program. The questions will lead to answers, and answers lead to results - not accidents.
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