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This is a question which is often googled. I thought I should answer this.
I think sometimes as a species we over think things. This was probably a self preservation tool originally to help us source all types of dangers around us, to prevent us being killed by predators.
This now manifests in doubts in our head such as…
Will I be rubbish at this
What if people laugh at me
What if I can’t do it
What if they make me be at the front
What if it has choreography - I am clumsy
What if everyone is super advanced
What if everyone is serious
What if I am too old for this
What if I am the only man/black person/….. there
What if I fart
Let me tell you all of the above could happen but not how you think it will.
Will I be rubbish at this. 100% if you start Pilates and you never have done it before, you are unlikely to be an expert on your first attempt, but don’t worry no one was. I was terrible when I first started, it just takes practise, coming consistently each week, and learning a bit more each week. It also means you have to be kind to yourself, and realised that it’s ok to be not perfect, and that it’s just beautiful that you can move your body and that you intend to keep it that way.
What if people laugh at me. People will laugh bu
t not at you, the amount of times I lost my balance and the whole class has burst into laughter I cannot count, but no one is laughing at me. They are laughing with me because I am laughing my head off also. Losing your balance is funny, I don’t know why, but it just is. It is probably because I am hoping around on one foot flapping my arms around. In my classes we keep things light hearted because life is too serious, we are not in class to become Ballerinas or professional athletes. We come to move our bodies, have a laugh, and a chat with nice, like minded people.
What if I can’t do it. What you can’t do today you might be able to do tomorrow, with some time and patience and even if you can’t who cares, there is always an alternative exercise you can do.
What if they make me be at the front. You can go anywhere you want in my class, no one has a saved spot. It’s grab what you like. People move around each week, and the ones who like to be at the back or at the front, always get the spot they want, it just works out. It’s best you just go where it makes you feel the most comfortable. In one of my zoom classes, the lady puts the sound off, because she likes to hear everyone else chat but doesn’t want to participate in it because she says she talks all day in her job, and that's ok to. Always do you!
What if it has choreography - I am clumsy. Pilates does have an order and a sequence if following the classical from start to finish, however we follow a more contemporary approach and so its not dance-y in any way. I trip over my own feet on most days. Occasionally I put on a flow class, but we break down all the exercises first so everyone knows what they are doing, and then pop them all together at the end for the last 10 mins of class, and then we laugh when we get it wrong, because sometimes things go wrong and that’s ok. We just pick up and continue on.
What if everyone is super advanced. My classes are mixed ability classes and so some people are advanced, and some people are beginners. I teach the exercises in stages, and you can stop at whatever stage is best for you. This makes it achievable for everybody.
What if everyone is serious. Serious people well it depends what you mean. We seriously love Pilates, we seriously want to make sure we get the exercise right to the best of our ability to make sure our body gets the most out of the exercise in the safest of ways, but we are not serious in any other way, but do expect laughing, and story sharing in class, cause life is too serious anyway.
What if I am too old for this. HA! No one is too old for Pilates. Pilates is quite a good exercise for all different types of people, because you can take it at your own pace, you can do a lot of the repertoire lying on your back. I have even taught chair Pilates classes for people who do not want to get on their back. Your body is capable of wonderful things, you just need to remember its your individual journey, so you can take it at your own pace.
What happens if you are the only man … black person … beginner…. or insert here whatever makes individual. I know that this can seem daunting but the group is very welcoming, and you can always ask me if you are on a search for another person who is like you. We are a safe space.
What if I fart...........
Lol - Well let’s just hope it’s impressive. Better out than in, and it does happen. I am not suggesting we all get our trumpets out, and have a free for all but if one does slip out, expect a big roar of laughter and then us all just carry on with the show. There are some exercises which lean more to gassy exchanges than others, such as rollovers and rolling exercises. I did have one client who informed me that the reason why she dashes out of the room quickly before rolling exercises is in preparation for the pre-fart so she can roll with ease in her mind, lol. Farts are a part of life. Sh*t Happens.
In answer to the original question of where to start, the answer is right now, don't think about it, just do it. You won't regret it, and all those questions will soon leave your mind, and you will just be enjoying moving.
If you want to come move your body, and chat with some nice folks, in a non judgemental way, then feel free to come to class with us. You are more than welcome to come for a FREE taster, just contact me on
https://www.thankupilates.com/contact
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