The Repetition Is By Design

Gentle Flow Pilates is for the most part very repetitious from one class to the next. This is done on purpose. Gentle Flow Pilates is a foundational practice. It is not meant to take the place of other fitness activities. It is designed to support other fitness activities, sports and recreation, as well as our activities of daily living. (ADLS)

Autonomy - Gentle Flow Pilates was designed to create new movement patterns that will eliminate pain, prevent future pain, and utilize the strength you currently have and are not utilizing primarily because of muscular imbalances, As we practice and you enjoy results the class participation affords you, you will begin to remember the process, the proper breathing, positioning, etc. In time you could safely perform most of the session and reap the benefits. This will allow you to practice on vacation, or come back to it from time to time, even if you have an extended time away from our group sessions and find yourself in need.

Tempted to Ignore The Details?

If you've participated in a Gentle Flow Pilates, it may seem very detailed. You may feel as if you could simply ignore some of the instructions, cues, and directions, especially once you are familiar with what is coming next. These details are part of the process that creates the new movement patterns. These details also give attention to the focus, and the precise movement that allows for the end result you are desiring. For example, ignoring the inhale at the set up of your next stretch, and simply clumsily placing your leg where you think it should go for a hip stretch, ignoring the exhale with the movement. This replicates movement that brought us to a place of misalignment. We are realigning, balancing, and setting our body up for improved muscle firing. These details all come together to bring about the desired result of muscular balance, front to back, and side to side. These details all come together for the ultimate goal of more strength, more energy, and pain free mobility. This is only one example.

Based on Principles of Pilates

Gentle Flow Pilates is based on the Principles of Pilates. This class is a reteaching of correct form, and the attention to the body as it responds to each position. This class is clarifying for each of us what habits may be holding us back from pain freedom, what habits may be creating pain, and what habits are limiting in all forms of exercise and activity. We participate fully in the principles of Pilates and we allow for a new movement pattern to be created as well as the flow of that movement. In this way we open the door to the end result of more strength, excellent posture even as we age. A fluidity in movement we haven't felt since our youth or younger days, returns, and so much more.

I would encourage you to appreciate the repetition and listen with a new ear, so to speak. Listen for each cue, listen to those things you've heard over and over, and participate fully in them. Whether it's the breathing, the step by step movement from one position to the next, whether its the direction and how to about rising up from the mat at the end of the session, listen for the smallest details and incorporate them. Take your time with the breath, take your time to hear and apply.

As a favorite saying of mine goes, "repetition is the mother of skill"

. Becoming skillful at creating pain free mobility is something to be desired.

Enjoy!