Much of our day – going faster is a good thing! The more you can squeeze in the better. Getting somewhere early not late is great! Doing more in less time – ideal. But one place I am giving you permission and actually begging you to slow down is Pilates class.
Whether you are doing the reformer, chair or mat class – speed is not your friend. Unfortunately, new students often think if they can go faster they will get more in! That’s true if you are running or biking- but not in Pilates. Pilates requires a mind body connection. When we say mind body – it’s not about being spiritual, feeling the energy in the room or anything ambiguous. It’s about feeling what muscles are working, getting your mind to control your body. For example – bending your leg in and out of a perfect table top. That control to have perfect form takes work, thought and precision as well as understand of what you are doing. If you move quickly – you will not be as precise. In most cases – momentum will do the work for you.
Don’t believe me? Try this: Pick up an object with some weight (book, can, purse – something you can hold in one hand). Swing your hand up and down moving the object up and down several times. Now – slow down – take 10 counts to lift and lower the same item. I bet it feels quite a bit heavier!! As you slow down – you muscles need to work the entire time. In Pilates – doing 10 perfect movements will yield much better results than 3 sets of 12 sloppy fast movements.
So please rush to Pilates class but slow down once you get here!
12South Pilates & Personal Training 