As you know the four week online pilates class started last week. I’ve been so excited about this for two reasons.
I was/am READY to build my life outside of the baby bubble.
I miss teaching.
I’m really lucky for a variety of reasons and one of them is that I sincerely love what I do. I love teaching one on one because I have a front row seat to watch you transform. I get to see you make connections and celebrate the eureka moments when everything comes together. I love teaching a group class because we get to be in flow together.
And there are a lot of things that happen when we are in flow.
The ones backed by science are:
Heightened sense of focus/concentration
Improved learning (nerves synapses and stuff)
Decrease in worry
The ones backed by my favorite experiences are:
Detachment from things that siphon my focus/energy
Closing tabs in my brain and allowing that space to rest
Clearer thinking
Brilliant ideas
Hilarious jokes
But srsly, when I’m teaching and “in the zone” with you my mind clears in a way that doesn’t result in emptiness, but highlights ideas and memories and connections that deserve a little attention.
In last week’s online Pilates class I explained an exercise that is somewhat simple. Meaning, the explanation and direction is clear and straightforward. The execution however, is HARD! And I was struggling.
I’m going to be honest and vulnerable for a moment. It’s…not easy to be in front of students and clients teaching and demonstrating when I myself can’t do everything to the professional level. I feel kinda weird and insecure and proud and powerful in this postpartum, mushy, changing body! And there are times when I feel the pressure we all feel to live up to the expectations put on women and our bodies. ESPECIALLY as a movement and fitness professional.
As I was doing the movement I was teaching, I thought of my dad and something he used to say (and would probably say again right now, though maybe not because I’ve done some serious work to change our dynamic).
Do as I say, not as I do.
This is problematic on so many levels. And as a parent myself I see every single day how misguided this is. Everett 100% does what I do and DGAF (doesn’t give a fuck) what I say if it’s not what I also model.
And in class I said it because I myself was struggling.
And I kept talking (because I am who I am) and clumsily, but endearingly, corrected myself saying I used to hate when my dad said it so instead of doing as I say and not as I do, let’s actually do as I say AND as I do. Because we ALL struggle, why not do it together?!
Because I can’t remove the struggle for me or for you! I wish I had that kind of power.
My goal is to give you tools to get through the struggle! To navigate the discomfort zone ands get to the other side! I want you to know what to do with your body in all sorts of shapes and movements and situations.
I can’t wait to see what insight next week brings! You too? I’ll meet you back here in your (in)box a week from today and if you can’t wait that long and want more of this brilliant insight and not not telling you what to do, check out this episode of the podcast!
As always, I’ve got your back. I’ve got your front. And I’ve got your undercarriage.
Xo, Alissa