Movements Afoot’s Blog

by Lesley Powell

Valentin, a Pilates Teacher and owner, put it very eloquently the importance of studying with a teacher.  A good teacher will guide you to understand your body and to workout  efficiently.  We all have habits that get in our way of have ease in our bodies.

Even I as a movement professional, attending a class/workshop/private puts my mind and body to a deeper place.  Having a practice by yourself is important.  It reenforces your connections and keeps the muscle memory alive.

My studying with other teachers takes my concentration and my body to another level than working out alone.  Sometimes a teacher phrases something different.  This creates an “Aha moment”.  Or they create such a different structure, warmup and/or flow of the class that helps my body.  By staying fresh in my body changes me on a personal level as well as my teaching.

When a workout becomes too much of a habit and a mindless routine, the body can reflect this.  In my professional life as a neuromuscular trainer,  I have worked with too many clients that mindlessly exercise and then end up injuring themselves.  Or do not really make positive change.

When I was the movement training at a high-end one-on-one training gym, I would see clients after their workout to work on stretching and injuries.   Watching a man do a hundred bad crunches, he later came over to help him with his back.  He had no understanding how to connect the core strengthening to improve his posture.

A great teacher will make you rethink about your body, fitness and wellness.  Movement has always for me is a way of meditation, health and vitallity.