Every now and then you get to be part of something magical. Life will give us an opportunity to be part of something extraordinary. as Pilates teachers we are often privy to these small moments of magic, seemingly insignificant to the world but to the individual they mean the world. One of the pivotal moments for me was when a client exclaimed 'I can brush my teeth, without pain!' now I know she wasn't talking about canines and molars but that single daily action had become easier for her and I might of well have given her the winning lottery ticket (well not quite, but you know what I mean), I think it was that moment that i knew Pilates had me hooked. little did I know that I would also see this client through heartbreak, grief, a suicide attempt and Chemo. Cancer would claim her in the end at 57 but my moments with her and her trust in me until the end are the reason I'm still teaching and writing this today. She showed faith in me when I had none in myself.
Teaching Pilates can be isolating , If your not studio based you can find yourself running from one venue/client to the next, barely crossing paths with other Pilates professionals other than in workshops and conferences. Sometimes its hard to know where you fit particularly if not great at following rules (which I'm not). I have long since watched Pilates professionals/ organisations head up against each other, arguing, 'authentic', 'real' and 'true' definitions of 'Pilates' as if Pilates could be defined in one word or in one way? No one ever taught me on any course that the exercises I taught a client would mean teeth brushing would be worthy of an Olympic medal.
So when the opportunity came up to be part of the Record attempt for the Largest Pilates Class ever, how could I not get involved? Full credit goes to Donna Pourteymour and her team at http://www.cobhampilates.com for organizing such an amazing event. And quite honestly it would have been easy to say 'I've got too much on '(which I am), Its too far (3 hours in the car) or its Mothers day (it was, and mine came too) excuses are easy but the effort was beyond worth it, young, older, famous, infamous! all formed part of an 800 strong Mat work class taught by the very lovely lisa Bradshaw (and yes, Donna, she is a Goddess, and has been for as long as i've known her) The energy and passion for life in the room was inspiring and I believe even Joseph Pilates himself would have smiled. And so for the few that failed to show, their actions did cost the group a World record but we got to be part of an energizing, inspiring and healing energy that they will never know. Whilst the event had already raised £27,000 for comic relief http://www.comicrelief.com/ at the last count more than that the no shows missed out on the chance to dance whilst brushing their teeth!
Pilates World record attempt Cobham, March 10th 2013
So thank you Judy for the day you remembered to brush your teeth, and all at Cobham Pilates for giving me, my mum and several of my Pilates students the chance to be part of the magic and for those who continue to start sentences with 'But...', 'Maybe....', 'Perhaps....' remember, brushing your teeth is a gift that one day may not be yours.....
Have a Fab week all!
Suzy x
I will be at The Vitality Show March 21st-24th, come and do class (bring a mat), say hello, we would love to see you there!
No comments:
Post a Comment