Remembering My Why

I’ve talked about your why before - the reason you choose to do Pilates. It is different for just about everyone. For some it’s about toning up. For others it’s about bone health and building strength. For some it’s an hour of de-stressing and coping. And for others it’s rehab. Whatever your why, I am glad you are choosing to Shine with me and with Shine Pilates.

I know my why but sometimes I have experiences that are hurtful or discouraging and I need a reminder. I had one of those today. A client I had helped with an injury and then post surgery with rehab requiring lots of modifications and figuring out what could work and what was unsafe called. She’s been gone all summer so I haven’t seen the progress she’s made but knew she had continued with Pilates. I was happy to hear she was keeping at it. Today she called to tell me she was back in town and would not be coming back to the studio. She said she found another studio that was so much more challenging and a just a great workout unlike her experience at my studio. The reality is she was very complimentary to me while we were rehabbing her and training together. I also have always asked for feedback and requests. It was incredibly hurtful after all the effort I made for her. I wondered why someone would be so unkind as to call just to criticize someone who had cared and helped them in the past?

It rattled me because my why is helping people to move and feel their best. I left a lucrative career in Advertising and Marketing because I had a strong desire to do something more worthwhile. I saw the power of Pilates and loved being able to share it with others. I show up because I care and my priority is keeping you safe not doing the latest flashy thing that is being posted on the internet. Staying true to the Pilates principles is key to me otherwise we are just doing bootcamp on a reformer. The reality is when done right - the simplest movement in Pilates can be extremely challenging. It’s why I keep my studio small - so I can be hands on and really cue each person.

This evening I had a lovely full class of ladies who laughed and maybe groaned a few times during the ab series and left feeling challenged and happy. I received a nice text from one of the ladies after class letting me know it was a ‘great class’. I needed that today. She’s my why. They are my why. I’ve had the honor of truly helping so many students change their bodies and even lives … I’m holding on to that.