I have a Pilates dream, and it’s been growing in my mind for quite a few years.
And now, it’s time to make it real!
It began when I was training to become a certified Pilates instructor. I had been studying Pilates more than 10 years before I began teacher training, but I was astonished how different Pilates was when I truly internalized it and knew it for myself. It’s a very different thing following instructions in a lesson or following along in class versus the deep and personal relationship you form with the work when you practice independently. For me, Pilates transformed from a favorite exercise regime to a deep, rich, empowering, and illuminating relationship with myself, one personal workout at a time. Ever since, I have wanted to share this gift with people.
Now it’s time!
Kensho is now offering a new class option - Personal Practice.
Here’s what it looks like: It’s a set class time, limited to 4, and will make use of all the apparatus in the studio. What’s the difference? Unlike a ‘normal’ class where everyone does the same thing at the same time, in Personal Practice you are following a workout personalized to you, and you are free to work at whatever pace you like. All under the watchful eye of an instructor!
I liken it to learning the piano. Every week you go for your lesson with a teacher and you learn something new, but for the rest of the week you have to practice in order to be ready for the next lesson. So if, for instance, you’ve been taking classes or lessons and would like the opportunity to practice what you’ve learned and deepen your experience, this is just what you’re looking for!
Here are just 5 reasons why I think Personal Practice is so important!
1. Personalization
Part of the appeal of taking private lessons is the amount of personalization you receive. It’s not just general, cookie cutter workouts – your teacher is creating a repertoire that will have the greatest positive effect for your unique needs. Personal Practice will have that level of individualization and freedom! You are free to practice the Pilates that is best for you, rather than the more generalized programming and pace of class. And for the price of a class! BOGO!
2. Empowerment
A guiding principle at Kensho is to empower you to your own health and wellbeing. And while it’s greatly beneficial to have the guidance of a teacher as you learn about Pilates and healthy movement, truly magical things begin to happen when you feel empowered to provide this for yourself. You can take ownership of your Pilates and your health!
3. Transformation
When you are empowered to experience the work for yourself, you learn it more deeply. You internalize it. That means you take the benefits of the work you’re doing out into the world to help you in your daily life. And that’s where it counts! No matter how great a workout, if we can’t take that information into our bodies and minds then it cannot create lasting change. And unlike a class, where it's easy to let your mind wander as you follow along, in personal practice you need the complete focus of your mind on the workings of your body. This is where Pilates is the most powerful.
4. The Method
Pilates is unique from other movement modalities and forms of exercises in a number of ways, but I think the most powerful and noteworthy difference is the incredibly intelligent and effective methodology Joseph Pilates designed. Every exercise builds the body toward functionality and health, but the real genius is in the whole body, systematic progression built into the work. Pilates can meet you wherever you are, and then guide you step by step toward a uniformly strong, stretched, and vital self. When you can harness the power of the Method, you have a tried and true blueprint for every step along the way.
5. Results
We want to see the fruits of our Pilates labors, and practice and repetition are the way to see the fastest and most beneficial results. While we wish we could ‘bank’ our workouts to last us through the week, I’m afraid it doesn’t work that way. The more often we do our Pilates practice, the faster and thoroughly our body and mind see results.
Bonus!
You have an instructor with you while you practice, so you can ask questions, problem solve, and learn valuable tips as you work. It’s all the pros of private lessons and classes, with even more benefits!
If you are interested in beginning a Personal Practice, contact us and we’ll help you get started.