Testimonials

Emily Barnes - October 2005

A few months ago I graduated from the Teacher Training Program at Excel. It was a solid year of study, practice teaching, and workouts... I even dreamed about Pilates exercises; my husband insisted that I was part of some kind of Pilates cult!

Now that I have graduated, I no longer have the stress of being tested, but my interest in learning the Pilates method is still strong. Although I now have experience, I learn something new about an exercise or a better way of explaining a Pilates concept almost weekly. One of the greatest things about going through the program is that by learning to teach a Pilates exercise, one gains a greater ability and understanding of the exercise itself.

A lot of times when I am teaching, people will say that there is almost too much to remember. Although there is a lot of detail to master with each exercise, I discovered that the more I practiced Pilates, the less I felt overwhelmed. As I progressed, I was able to see similarities between exercises so that even if I was learning a very advanced exercise, I knew which muscles I should be working. When I started Pilates, I had trouble with the relatively simple 'chin to chest' position. I just couldn't roll up high enough. This was due to tightness in my back from years of playing the violin, and also from ballet. About half way through the program, I started noticing that I was rolling up a lot higher than I used to, making use of my core and proper form. This may not seem like much, but it was amazing to me that I was actually able to roll up to the correct position. For anyone who has felt limited in their ability to stretch far enough, jump high enough, or run fast enough, you know what a great feeling it is to improve, increasing your general health. I feel like I have a completely different body than I had a year ago. My upper body is 10 times stronger than it was, my posture is better, and I understand how to support myself in all positions by using my 'core.'

When I started Pilates 5 years ago, I thought of it as just another exercise regiment to get 'in shape.' I did ballet, stretches, a little running, weights here and there, and some Pilates when I found time. Posture meant not slouching in a chair and holding my head up when I walked. I thought I had pretty good posture.

Thru the program, I discovered that Pilates is more than exercise - the exercises and philosophies are guides to learning about posture, breathing, and using proper body mechanics - so that we can 'Return to Life' and not be controlled by aches and pains; a more involved and comprehensive version of being 'in shape.' During the program, my husband took up swimming and soon started to have neck pain. I watched him swim and noticed that during the breast stroke, when he took a breath, he did so by arching his neck and leaving his back straight - something we would never do in Pilates! I told him that he should 'scoop' and think of lengthening forward through the entire spine uniformly, opening the chest, and keeping the neck long. He rolled his eyes, but tried it anyway... his neck pain has gone away. Pilates concepts should be applied to all types of movement - other exercise regimes and daily activities... Return to Life!

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