It's Not a Bore to Strengthen Your Core!
by Amy Subach
There I was, lying face down on the floor. My nemesis (one of them, anyway), Side Kick Kneeling, had gotten me yet again. In case you have not performed the Side Kick Kneeling, allow me to describe it to you. Kneeling with my arms behind my head, I gracefully and with control leaned over to my right side, placing my right hand directly underneath my right shoulder. Simultaneously I extended my left leg long out to the side. I kicked my leg forward (with my Powerhouse pulled in and up) with so much force that I fell flat on my face, in front of my teacher, Teresa, and the two others in my Trio. I looked behind me to see my compatriots gracefully kicking away. Greatly humbled, getting back into position, I laughed and said, "That's right, I'm the apprentice teacher!"
To be honest with you, I fall a lot in the studio! Usually someone is there to catch me. I almost fell off the Wunda Chair while doing Going Up Front. Using the Arm Springs on the Cadillac, I have fallen both backwards while squatting and forwards while punching. As I begin teaching, there are new ways to fall, and not just stumbling on equipment. Recently, while teaching a mat class and attempting to count backwards from twenty, I said "Twenty, Forty, Sixty, Eighty, Ninety, One Hundred." No, I do not know where that came from. Perhaps I was a bank teller in a past life.
Pilates continuously challenges us both mentally and physically. The practice of Pilates requires focus, concentration, presicion, flow, and control. (Joseph Pilates did, after all, call his exercise system Contrology.) In addition to the founding principles, I think that as students and teachers of this century-old system we should bring to our practice compassion, humility, and a sense of humor. Every body is different, and every day your practice is different. Some days Teaser is easy-breezy; some days I can barely life my legs off the ground. I know that I'm getting stronger and more flexible, though. I can even do some of the awesome looking back flips thing on the Cadillac! It's essential to accept yourself and to be compassionate towards yourself and others; it's even better be able to laugh. In "Return to Life Through Contrology" Mr Pilates tells us to "above all, learn how to breathe correctly. 'Squeeze' every atom of air from your lungs." I know no better way to completely empty your lungs than to have a great big belly laugh!
