Fifty shades of Pilates and Shoes....and some very red noses...

"Do not Panic" my administrator declared "everyone will know its not you, the shoes aren't high enough!"....there then followed the silence.... slowly, almost inaudibly I could hear the beginnings of barely hidden tears of laughter as my administrator absorbed the full measure of a link I had discovered in all its bondage glory on my website.
Now as everyone is aware I am very keen on making Pilates part of a variety of physical activities, variety after all is not just the spice of life but also likely to see people remain exercising and in better physical shape for longer. I have had wonderfully honest conversations in the past with clients who demonstrate great reticence 'pushing' their bodies too hard in their Pilates workouts but dont seem to understand that its the same 'weak' back of theirs that was 'swinging' off the chandeliers the previous night!, and yes I do explain this is a little too much information but there you go some clients just like to share!

And so as I absorbed the bondage dilemma whilst trying to get hold of my website fix it man ('URGENT..if not funny' read the email header)....I got to thinking about how my Pilates path has changed over the last 11 years. When I first qualified I didn't even have an email address, communication was done the old fashioned way through actual conversation and dialogue. Now Its email, text, websites and blogs, as teachers we are 'out' there so much more. I appreciate this isn't the case for every teacher but for those of us needing to earn a London Living it is sometimes an inevitable part of people's expectations Pilates is everywhere now, health clubs, gyms, online classes, magazines, books and church halls but the rise in popularity has not necessarily meant a rise in standards which ultimately reflects back on all of us trying to keep the positive message that Joseph Pilates was advocating.

So when someone researches me what do I want them to find? probably not bondage in all honesty even if it was a rather elegant looking site (I'm sure the analytics team are getting some very odd results thats for sure) but how do we manage expectations of clients and students who come to us?. I have had many heated discussions with teachers because I refuse to say on my website and in print that I can fix 'bad' 'backs, necks, shoulders....etc' I'm not a Physio, Chiropractor, Osteopath or Orthopedic surgeon. I happily teach movement and Pilates is my vocabulary, and a powerful life changing one it can be at that, and whilst we all know just how much Pilates can influence someone's life, making sweeping statements and promises puts us all at risk, after all if 95% of back pain has a non specific cause how can I in all honesty claim to be the definitive answer to its 'cure'? So when people ask me if I can 'fix' 'repair' 'reduce pain' etc.  I'm Ok with just saying I can help you move better so 'lets give it a go, nothing ventured, nothing gained'...and its funny how often just offering a sense of optimistic enthusiasm and commitment to a client will provoke a positive shift within their bodies and their own attitudes to them, without the need for me to make google ranking promises...

And so as I juggle the media age (and a bemused web designer and analytics team) whilst trying to remain true to myself the aforementioned bondage episode reminds me that even under the title of Pilates teacher I fulfill so many roles,(albeit that particular alter ego would have been on a much higher hourly rate if the truth be known!) I teach, I listen and I learn every day I get exasperated with Uggs and flip flops (Ugly and oh so bad for their feet!) but I also know my clients love their Uggs and flip flops and will never give them up and in truth as much as I love Pilates I also love wearing my high heels, they make me feel better! so for those Pilates teachers who want to be evangelical and extremist be my guest, your comments on my feet ending up like Victoria Beckhams are duly noted! I will on the other hand continue to make few google ranking promises but will remain curious, absorbed and questioning of mine and my clients Pilates practice and yes I might just teach in my oh so impractical, too high and shameless 50 shade shoes...now there's a very un p.c. thought....

Thank you for reading...may you always remain curious....oh and remember to dance occasionally or even join the World record attempt for the largest Pilates class on March 10th (in aid of Red nose day)

http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07e710e24843ea8be2&llr=yaube4fab

Suzy x

P.S For those interested below is the info for the Retreats I run, we do Pilates, we walk, we talk, we laugh oh and we drink Prosecco!

http://www.seraphinapilates.com/pilatesbreaks.html