Workout. That’s what I want to know.
When was the last time you worked out and felt so damn amazing that you felt like you had to shout it from the rooftops to even come close to teleporting that singular feeling to the world?
In honor of Pilates Day, this is my homage to the gift that Joe gave the world: The work.
In order to really honor yourself–that miraculous body of yours, move it! Flex and extend it, twist it, cajole it, whisper to it, laugh with it, applaud it, and above all, work it out! Partner with it. It’s yours, and its the only one you got in this life as we know it. It is your house, your true home. So honor it by keeping it happy, and it, will in turn, serve you!
I am often stunned when I teach at large venues and I open the floor for questions, and sadly, one of the most popular I am asked, is “How do I keep from getting bored, burned out?” And I say I am stunned, because people, if you do the work, if you actually workout and taste the juice, that manna from the Gods at least three to five times a week, and I mean working yourself so well and so hard that you break a good sweat and feel like you kick your own A___, with YES, a capital “A,” then boredom and burnout? Be damned I say. Those are two sorry visitors who will never come a calling again.
And when I say “break a good sweat,” what I am really saying is, humble yourself. Each and every time. Push yourself out of the nest, outside your comfort zone, beyond your preconceived limits. Let me put an earth-shattering concept before you: What if when you tried something it didn’t look perfect? Would that be okay? What if you stopped worrying for a minute what it looked like and just abandoned yourself to the sheer joy of moving?
I have news for you: You will feel so incredibly proud and fulfilled after trying something that scares you when you pull it off! And that, that’s the magic stuff that builds on itself. (That’s one of the best kept secrets of the work, until you actually start doing it …) When you give yourself permission to make mistakes and to be human, you know what happens then? You surprise yourself. And more importantly, you feel ALIVE! You return to life. Every. single. time.
And your teaching? Oh man, look out. Because you are evolving through challenge, through this self-imposed adversity, you know that clean, hard work is what your body responds best to, and you then can’t wait to pass it on exactly the same way to your clients! You’re ON FIRE. And you will know with fairly impressive accuracy what they will be feeling as you make them do an extra ten reps of “knees-off” on the reformer– GRATEFUL, oh so grateful and ALIVE!
And so, on Pilates Day, one of my favorite days of the year, this is my charge to you:
Get on that reformer and do yourself proud. Hop on the chair and try the pull-up with one arm, or going up side, but whatever you do, do it with gusto and work hard in the way Joe intended you to … sign up for a class or a workshop that intimidates you, that you think you’re not ready for … take a risk. Be rewarded. Surprise yourself.
And then the next time I see you, tell me how it’s working out for you–those issues with boredom and burnout.
No, really, I mean how is it, working out?
___________
Integrated wellness, fitness and lifestyle expert Jennifer Kries is an internationally renowned mind-body-spirit innovator, credited with being the first to bring Pilates, and The Method, the groundbreaking synthesis of Pilates, Yoga and Dance to a mass audience. Her award-winning videos, The Method Series, Jennifer Kries DVDs, and Fit TV’s The Method Show, revolutionized the fitness community and started the explosive wave of enthusiasm for Pilates and mind/body exercise. Her approach to fitness and wellness is unsurpassed. Jennifer brings unmatched clarity and an extraordinary perspective to her teaching. Jennifer has inspired countless readers, practitioners, graduates of her programs, and viewers alike to embrace her all-encompassing philosophy of movement, art, health, life and energy. Through her inspiring work, she leads people to experience a joyful connection to themselves and to their essential aliveness. Students tap into a reserve of power, clarity and freedom like never before. Her attention to detail, superb teaching style, artistry, and knowledge of Eastern healing techniques makes her one of the most highly sought-after mind-body teachers today.
Catch Jennifer at one of her upcoming workshops in San Francisco, San Diego and Oceanside, California this spring/sumer 2015, or work with her in your own home with her award-winning Pilates Method Master Trainer Series, “The definitive companion guide and one of the most exceptional practice and teaching resources on the market for Pilates devotees and professionals.”
Hi Jennifer,
Thank you very much for this very inspiring articlle. The motivation sparkles in every sentence you wrote. And, it is so true what you say:
“You will feel so incredibly proud and fulfilled after trying something that scares you when you pull it off! And that, that’s the magic stuff that builds on itself”
I share your blog!
Warm regards, Marjolein
I struggle everyday as a teacher to fit in my own pilates practice. I workout everyday, but it’s rarely pilates. I recently (this past week) committed to practicing at least twice a week. I believe in setting realistic goals so I can celebrate exceeding them. I practiced 5 times this past week. The first day, I literally broke out in tears! For so many reasons: 1. because I kept my committment 2. because I was so sad that I let my practice fall by the waist side 3. because I was embarrassed to call myself a teacher when I wasn’t practicing 4. because I FELT AMAZING 5.the pain in my body was gone!