My Pilates Journey... and it’s just the Beginning
It's slightly embarrassing now, but the truth is I thought Pilates was one of those infomercial get-fit-quick sorts of things. Back in 2005 when I lived in Orange County and I ran a high-end accessories boutique my assistant manager invited me to a mat class. I followed her there mostly because we enjoyed hanging out and I was looking for something new in my fitness life. I had no idea I was walking into the BASI headquarters, and I honestly had no idea what Pilates was. The instructor had us begin with the 100, and I was hooked!
And, by hooked I mean addicted! I wrote the store schedule so I changed it so I could go to this one Yoga studio that offered Pilates classes daily. I was there at least four if not five times. It's also where I met Pilates instructor Lisa Hubbard. I didn't ever take a class or session on the equipment. It wasn't until I moved to Los Angeles that I even stepped foot into an actual Pilates studio. And, I really didn't think much of it. I was struggling to find classes that were as exciting as the ones I went to back in Orange County at times I could go and for prices, I could afford.
It really was the universe's fault. I went to a class, and I left feeling really bummed that it wasn't that great. I loved my new city life but missed my regular Pilates. As I was about to get in my car, I saw a Pilates studio with a first time session special and I called and set myself up a session. That moment changed my life. The teacher I got encouraged me to get trained to teach. I figured I would teach as a part-time gig. I mean, I loved my retail job and I had benefits, a salary, commission and vacation time. I just figured my Pilates teaching could pay for my Pilates passion.
And then the recession happened. And wouldn't you know it but I was making more money teaching Pilates. I ran out of hours before and after running the store. I had to make a decision I had to give up the salary, benefits and vacation time and dive head first into only teaching Pilates. I have never looked back!
Back then I had no idea that there were styles of Pilates. I was a bit naive. I only knew that the teacher I trusted in LA said to get trained by this company and so I did. And, it was a great foundation. But, I needed to know more. So, within a year of finishing one program, I was searching out another. My teaching journey started out as classical and continued to dive deeper into it. After my 600 hour program, I began going back and forth to Boulder, CO to study at The Pilates Center. After completing their master's program I focused on my clients, running studios for a high-end fitness company and teacher training. But, my body and my mind still wanted more. I remember being told to not cue away what a body was telling me. Amy Taylor Alpers observed me teaching and I was trying to help my client not do something and Amy kindly said: "don't cue something away until you know why the problem exists." That stuck with me. Every time I would see a client not be able to do something I would wonder if I cue them what to do am I helping them or just shoving the problem under the rug. I needed to know more.
As luck would have it I began studying at Vintage Pilates and heard about their program The Work with Jay Grimes. I had broken my tibial plateau and after a couple months of trying to get my strength back, I made getting into The Work a goal! Not only would training for it help me with my knee injury but it might be the missing link to what I felt I needed.
I'll never forget hearing Jay Grimes say we talk too much as teachers. The next day I tried to say very little to my clients during their session. Halfway through they asked me if I was mad at them. I froze! I worried that not they wouldn't like the sessions. But, before I could say anything they said: "this is the hardest session."
Now, we were not doing anything different yet. Same Reformer workout as the week before. The only difference was I wasn't trying to talk Pilates into their bodies.
Ever since that moment, I shifted my approach. My clients are now asking questions that help deepen their practice, they are more engaged with their workouts and talk about how they did Pilates at home on their own. I love it!
Nowadays I teach clients online via skype or facetime, in Los Angeles at my new private Pilates studio (opening September 1st 2018) and on retreats. I absolutely love watching Pilates change a body from the start of a session to the end, from session to session, week to week and year to year. I also spend a lot of time coaching teachers and studio owners on their Pilates business, http://www.profitablepilates.com
Pilatespal profile Lesleyloganpilates.com
Be sure to connect with Lesley at https://www.instagram.com/lesley.logan/
https://www.instagram.com/profitablepilates/