Downward dog.
Ok, maybe no one
spoke those exact words to me but my subconscious has been telling me something
along those lines for the last few months. I think I had this delirious idea
that pilates was an easy way to tone your muscles but honestly I think slogging
it out on an hour run would be an easier option.
I sit here writing
this post to you from limp-limb central. Don’t get me wrong, the class was
great and I’ll definitely be going back next week but boy was I surprised at
how difficult it was. It probably didn’t help that I took the advanced class
with a very zealous instructor who was super keen to whip us into shape before
she heads off to teach hardcore contortion pilates in Bali next week.
I walked into
class taking in the peaceful surroundings, dim lighting, candles and music and
interpreting them to mean a calm and serene class that would make my body feel
strong and supple without any pain. Not quite so. I have huge admiration for
the instructor. The hour class was so full-on and she did every step whilst
encouraging us for the whole hour without loosing her breath or even breaking a
sweat. I was flat out attempting every second movement.
As much as I don’t
want to admit it, I’m sure everyone in the class knew I was a beginner. Let’s
see what gave it away first: 1. not knowing the correct procedure with the
mat/towel, 2. swinging the wrong leg at the wrong time; she says right, I go
left, she says left I go right, or perhaps it was 3. the fact I was quaking
like a leaf one minute into the first plank.
I’m off to try
Yoga tomorrow. At least I can say I’ve done this one many times before. I’ll
definitely be back for another pilates class next week; my aim? To swing the
correct leg at the correct time. Baby steps…
Photo by Darwin Reinoso.