“Contrology develops the body uniformly, corrects wrong postures, restores physical vitality, invigorates the mind and elevates the spirit.” – Joseph Pilates “Return to Life through Contrology”
Most of us like to have a goal that we are working toward in any activity that we undertake. A person takes music lessons with the goal of performing at a recital at the end of the year; someone learns a new language with the goal of being able to hold a conversation; someone else takes up running with the goal of completing a marathon. All activities can have an associated goal with them to help us measure our success and to give us something to work towards.
Pilates is no different. Everyone that begins their Pilates journey has a goal and it is very rarely the same goal for everyone. On my intake forms in the studio one of the questions is “What specific goals have brought you here?” Here are just a sampling of the replies to that question:
- Toning
- Overall health and wellness
- Strengthen core
- Reduce neck pain
- Strengthen back muscles
- Increase flexibility
- Calm nervous system
Each of these responses is a physical or mental goal that is attainable within the Pilates Method. But how is success measured? Does a person need to reach a Level 5 practice before they can feel like they have advanced?
In a word, No.
The best way for us to see the advancement in our
Pilates practice is not within the Studio.
It is out in our daily lives.
Can we sit and stand in proper posture? Do we have less pain in our backs (or necks, or hips, or knees, etc)? Can we bend over to tie our shoes up? Can we balance to get our pant legs on? Are we able to vacuum the living room without needing to take a break? Can we walk up a flight of stairs without dragging ourselves up with the handrail? Can we get down on the floor to play with our kids or grandkids?
Joseph Pilates measured progress with how much “zest and pleasure” we were able to achieve in our bodies and minds. He wanted his exercises to help us in our lives, not just to be able to do fancier moves.
True progress is measured in how you feel,
how you move,
how you think.