January 2014
Let’s take Romana’s famous question “What did you learn today?” to a whole new level, refection-style.
Inspired by a dear colleague’s post I realized that 2013 was a big year of study, community and connection for me.
However I had not paused for a moment to consider the year as a whole.
What did I learn this year?
Ask questions. You never know what you don’t know…
In 2013 I began Teaching the Work, the 2nd Vintage Pilates’ program of study with Jay Grimes. My classmates were my best Pilates pals after our year of being together for the inaugural class of The Work in 2012.
And we were 6.
Small. Intimate. Nerdy.
My usual – now former – M.O. is to stay mostly silent in workshops. While listening, taking notes, working out as much as possible and thinking over client scenarios that will surely benefit from my new knowledge, I am rarely the student that asks specific client-related questions. Perhaps deep down I fear my question will reveal my complete and utter ignorance of the Pilates method…
Well, time to get over that.
I suddenly heard myself asking pressing questions about Spine Corrector exercises with a specific type of client in mind. Oh, and that old favorite The Open Leg Rocker…
I can’t begin to tell you the amount of understanding that poured in from asking just one question. It opened up a whole new way of looking at my original concern.
See? You never know what you don’t know.
Stay curious, 2014.
Make yourself uncomfortable
You just might like it. Perhaps it will be cozier than you had anticipated.
4 Responses
So true, Andrea. I can relate. I think it is so important to get beyond what holds us back from asking questions and just delve in! Thank you for sharing your experience.
Thanks so much for reading Karen 🙂 Here’s to a bold 2014!
I had to think on this one for a a while…. I’ve got one for the relationship aspect of Pilates: the road to healthy and productive relationships is paved by consensus rather than with compromise. And one for Pilates itself: Keep moving and let the brilliance of the moves – with their many layers – reveal themselves in your body. Both apply in so many ways and carried me far in the past year. Now, I’ve just got to keep up the work in 2014!
Eliza,
You have made a big statement that I will claim for a goal in 2014 as well.
“Keep moving and let the brilliance of the moves – with their MANY layers – reveal themselves in your body.”
Excellent. A mantra even. Let’s try it on for size in our next workout 🙂
LOL. It’s 2014. Be revealing…