Literal. Clear. To the Point. I love it when a Pilates teacher does not mince words.
I thought I’d share a few of my faves.
1. My personal favorite and a Sandy Shimoda special.
I have heard this one many many times. Weekly actually. Making the exercises as painstakingly perfect as you possibly can makes for a tense, slow turn of events. Oops, almost forgot Sandy has another fine quote for that too.
The suspense is killing me.
This one popped out due to the glacial pace of my Thigh Stretch on the Reformer. Her comment was memorable. And my Thigh Stretch is the better for it.
2. My own commitment to connection.
It’s easy to poop-out in the middle of the exercise.
To anticipate the lying down in the Roll Up. Oh, mat so comfy…
To rest when you roll up to sit in Spine Stretch. Cause sitting up tall is soooo easy…
To lie down forΒ a little too long between reps of the Teaser.
Whaaaaaat??
Oh you know you’ve done it. We’ve all been there. I’m aghast when my teacher points up a little secret rest that’s crept in unbeknownst to me. Gah!
My quote takes inspiration from Kerry DeVivo who was the first teacher to explain an ultimate goal of the Pilates workout. Use the exercises to find connection when you begin your workout and never let it go until the workout is finished.
Yup.
3. Karen Frischmann of Vintage Pilates fame in top form.
Lessons with Karen are jam-packed with revelation. This one pertains specifically to the action of the upper back in the 2nd of the Stomach Massage Series on the Reformer. Mostly we (I) want to squeeze the shoulders together and back, essentially squishing the upper back.
Squishing is not really engagement.
It’s just squishing.
Long the Back! Yes!
Squish the Shoulders!
I don’t think so.
In the 2nd of the Stomach Massage series as well as its other exercise friends (Reverse Push Thru and Long Back Arms on the Cadillac, Backward Arms on the Wunda Chair) there is more to be had in the broadening of the upper back effectively relaxing the shoulders (in lieu of the squish) which will result in greater more yummy stretch across the chest.
And don’t forget to Long the Back!
4. Kathi Ross-Nash gets extra points for gravitas.
I just think this one is hilarious.
I’ve tried to steal it, but I don’t quite own it and it falls flat… But when it comes from Kathi I have to giggle. She says it in a sweet and gentle (mocking?) voice of false comfort while you wrestle with an exercise of outrageous proportion.
Reformer on the Mat anyone?
5. Cynthia Lochard gets right to the point.
I am guilty of this myself (of course) and it’s a wonderful mantra for clients. It may seem like you need to take a moment to rest.
But maybe you don’t.
What would happen if you willed yourself to continuously move for the entire hour?
Endurance. Stamina. Perseverance.
Tenacity. Grit.
Not too shabby.
Β 6. Jay Grimes always has a gem at the ready.
It’s one of my favorites, really and it’s always deliveredΒ in a silky-soft soothing voice while you sweat it out doing no less than the Twist with One Arm on the Reformer – ALL of it mind you.
Β 7. Romana quoting Joe Pilates.Β This one’s a keeper.
Pilates is hard, yo. And full of tough love.
What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger…yes?
32 Responses
“You’re not going to live there” as in doing 3 or 4 or 5 of anything won’t kill you, or the handle situation with the extension straps is annoying, but you’re not going to live there…
Ooh I like that!
Thank you…I also like to say a variation of that with regard to lying over the Spine Corrector – if it feels uncomfortable at first. “You’re won’t be there forever.”
Excellent! I’ve got two for you.
Jay Grimes on pacing in general: speed is the enemy of fast tempo
Janice Dulak when asked about breathing: don’t worry about it, you’ve got 23 hours left in the day to breathe.
Always something fun going on in the Pilates studio!
I love those – that is a good one from Janice π We do get asked about the breathing… Thank you for sharing!
“I said you can start the class early… I didn’t say you can finish it early…”
Oh I am with you on that one π Thank you so much for reading and sharing your comments Amit.
Ok ladies, now we’re only going to use our mouths for breathing!
Oh I have some use for that one – thank you for sharing, Kim!
A favourite from Alan Herdman this summer, “Can you try that again…with a bit more drama this time?”
Excellent! Thanks for sharing Jon π
“IF IT DOESN’T CHALLENGE YOU, IT DOESN’T CHANGE YOU”
“IF YOU THINK PILATES IS EASY THAN YOU ARE NOT DOING IT RIGHT”
Rock on Valerie! Thank you so much for sharing π
Don’t count ’em, make ’em count.!
I say that.
oooh I like, Edgar, thanks for sharing π
‘Tough love’, ‘long back’, ‘engage’, ‘reformer on mat’, ‘tenacity and perseverance’, and ‘connection’, all a resounding YES! I would add ‘focus’ and ‘mindful’ to ‘connection’ and suggest ‘move’ (w/o tempo restrictions) and freeze’ (to check form) as a worthwhile addition to an ‘all slow’ practice. Many thanks . . . .SD
Thanks so much for your comment Susan. Move is the name of the game π
love these quotes. Do you take requests for up coming blog posts?
Thanks Jodie π And yes, I love requests. Please contact me via email andrea@pilatesandrea.com with your blog post requests. Thank you so much!
…and here’s what I say…” not easy this Pilates business”…
Oh Tiziana – that’s perfect! Thanks so much for reading and sharing – and of course for being your awesome self! xo
I loved the quote: “what you don’t like, do it twice”
Thanks!!
Yup it’s one of my faves. Thanks for reading Rebekah and for sharing your comments π
I’ve always enjoyed. Maximum result with minimum effort, that’s the goal girls. But if it’s easy your doing it wrong.
Peter, thanks for reading and sharing your comments…so true – if it’s easy you must be doing it wrong π
The first one – slower is not better – is true but I find if beginners do something to fast then it’s usually wrong so I am often slowing them down.
I am a horse riders too and teach other riders Pilates as it’s so beneficial for riding so I sometimes say ‘more impulsion, less speed’ as this is what we want from our dressage horses so my riders can understand that more easily.
I agree. The delicate balance of precision and pace: The pace is meant to challenge the precision, but if it all becomes a hot mess at that point, of course the former needs some attention…
I love the quote “what you don’t like you do twice”
Thanks for sharing such quotes.
Yes it is a good one. And great advice really LOL. All those hated exercises eventually become our body’s best friends π
Now be prepaaaare, because it isn’t over when is overrrr – Eliezer Rabelo
When you think you’re there, stretch another quarter inch – Karen Clippinger
When you see me for your next class, please bring the same posture you leaving with – Eliezer Rabelo
Now let’s work the not so obvious muscle involved in this exercise – Eliezer Rabelo
Thank you for sharing these quotes with us! Thank you for reading π xo
Romana’s quote reminds me of what I tell clients. “The exercise you dislike is the one your body really needs. The ones you love are because you’re already good at them. Now guess what your homework is?” I hated Rolling like a ball (stiff lower thoracic) – do it nearly every day now, still not easy, but it works.
Hi there –
Yes this is so true. I have avoided all the side bending exercises for years – now I love them and they feel so good. Twists too π Still challenging but feels so good afterwards! Thanks for reading and watching – cheers to you! xo