Comparison
This weekend I enjoyed watching quite a bit of the US Open Tennis Tournament. I’ve been learning Tennis myself. It was impressive to see these high level athletes giving it their all.
One thing I have noticed is they make the court look so much smaller than it feels when I am playing on it! It’s hard to comprehend the speed and agility with which they are moving. Their instincts as so well honed they know where to be for the next shot which makes it look easier than it is.
This morning I met some friends and neighbors to play tennis. I’ve been taking lessons and played in a league this year as well. While I don’t expect to play like a professional - my expectations are not in line with the amount of tennis I have experienced! It’s easy to be hard on yourself when you aren’t hitting every shot just how you would like. This is not a comparison I should be making! In reality the comparison I should be making is how I think played last year at this time versus now. I’ve come a long ways. There is a lot I am doing better. I am certainly not close to finished - it’s about progress.
I see this in the studio as well. I’ll demonstrate a movement I’ve been working on for many years and students will expect to ‘nail it’ on their very first try. It’s not a comparison they should be making! One of my mentors liked to say when someone complained that their movement wasn’t as precise or strong or whatever as hers, “Oh have you down this 10,000 times? Because I have!”
Pilates is about progressing. There is no finish line. There is no Grand Slam tournament of Pilates. When we are wondering how we are doing instead of comparing ourselves to the instructor consider this instead.
How am I doing versus when I first attempted this movement or began Pilates?
How am I feeling versus when I first began my Pilates practice?
Am I feeling stronger?
Do I feel more confident with my movements?
Have I solved an ache or pain that bothered me prior to Pilates?
Those are all better comparisons to make because they are truer measures of your progress and most likely will leave you feeling better about yourself and motivated to keep going. I am going to try to do a better job taking stock of what I am doing right and I encourage you to do the same!