How Much Is Too Much?

A critical question has manifested itself among my fellow apprentices, which as a dancer I find to be particularly intriguing: is more always better in Pilates? Being the classic example of a physical overachiever, the dancer is a specific breed, constantly aspiring to hone and perfect his or her body by going above and beyond what is asked. For example, in ballet class, when the leg is intended to be slightly raised off of the floor, it is commonplace to find this special human being trying to give oneself a bloody nose with that intended to be “low leg.”

The dancer, as a larger idea, represents the avid gym goer, the lawyer, the nanny, the financial investor, the restaurateur, the clothing designer, basically anyone and everyone who is human. We are constantly striving to reach our personal best whether it be in the work or social arena, testing our intellectual and emotional capacities…therefore why would the physical be any different? It isn’t, but Pilates allows us to channel this go getter attitude in a way that is healthy, athletic and intellectual. Often in my observation at Core do I witness the dancer in all of us burying one’s head into his or her chest when we all know the Pilates curl requires the shoulder blades to be on the ground or rocking back to the neck or even head in rolling like a ball when we have been explicitly told to tilt back only to the thoracic spine.

The six fundamental principles of Pilates (breath, concentration, control, centering, flow and precision) enable the system as a collective to be designed sensibly with our best interest at heart! Our Core teachers want us to feel and look great! While beginner, intermediate and advanced Pilates may differ in order and exercise, the essence and primary objective remains the same: to maintain the strength of a core that could defeat an army while the rest of the body is engaged in harmonious movement. Throughout my own practice, I have found that I reap benefits much more when I effectively direct my attention, exerting more energy in certain places while tending to finite detail in others.

This may be comparable to our relationships: if we spend all of our time with only one friend, what happens to the rest of our friendships? Pilates invites the idea of full-bodied technique as opposed to extreme focus and effort on one area of the body while the rest of the body suffers. When performing an exercise that is truly correct and precise, whether it be a roll up or a pull up on the chair, it is easy to become not only physically engaged but highly exhausted by the third repetition. This revelation further exemplifies Grandma’s great ole saying that somewhere got lost throughout the years, “quality over quantity.”

It truly amazes me watching someone truly great do Pilates. If you all receive a chance to do so (hello Core teachers!!), you may find that the subtleties and details become magnified in action. I try to channel my dancer within me everyday, a persona that is wonderful yet may need to put on the brakes sometimes and listen to the teacher that is always there, myself!

• Digg this!
• Tweet this!
• Stumble this!
• Share on Facebook
• Share on Reddit
• Bookmark at Delicious