Only 3 more lessons until the completion of this challenge. I feel as though I’ve made significant progress and I’m not ready for it to end.
My progress includes increased hip flexibility; I’m now able to stand while bending one leg across the barrel and keep my knee parallel to the ground. My hamstrings are still tight, but no longer uncomfortably so. I’m able to get a good stretch without feeling discomfort behind my knee. My body awareness has increased and I’m better able to focus and utilize specific muscles. Heather doesn’t have to remind me as often to zip my zipper — it has become more of a habit. I think I’m most pleased with my increased muscle tone and definition. I’m in a good place. I’m liking my body again.
Week 9, Private lesson 1: We started with the jump board. I recommend the jump board if you ever want to tire your legs quickly. Then Heather had me lie on my back, sideways across the reformer (my head hanging over one side, my legs the other). I sat up extending one leg, then the other and both. First, my arms were in front of me, then I tried to do the exercise with them behind my head. I couldn’t do it so I cheated and moved my arms forward in order to sit up. Arm position makes a tremendous difference in the degree of difficulty. To finish the lesson, Heather had me bend backward over the barrel with one leg extended and took my picture. Afterward I tried to do a handstand, but didn’t feel confident in my arm strength. Handstands and somersaults are easier in the pool.
Class: My sunflower classmates are ever supportive. They root me on and compliment me on my progress. After class this week, one classmate told me that I look younger compared to when I started. I’m appreciative of the kind statement, but inherently skeptical. My classmate used the word “vitality”. I assume that since I’m sleeping better and my stress level is lower due to exercise and endorphins, I at least look less haggard.
Heather was away teaching others to become Pilates instructors so Anthony subbed and we subjected him to our sassiness. We faced the tower and pulled on the straps to work our arms, we faced sideways in mermaid and did more arm strap work. We stood sideways on the reformer and pushed out and pulled in for slide splits. With our arms on the footbar and our feet in Barbie position, we pushed out to plank and in to work and stretch our shoulders and arms. Plus we did leg circles, peter pans, bridges and long spine.
Private 2: Heather had me do exercises on the mat and then on the reformer. We did a stomach series and then 100’s, raising first my upper body up from the mat, legs in table top, then pushing my legs out (while staying zipped), raising my legs up, bending them and bringing them in toward my nose and back out straight again. Then reversing. We worked on my turnout on both the mat and in leg circles with straps. I went up into a bridge and extended one leg. My left supporting leg kept cramping. Another stomach series included raising my arms overhead, out, and tucking my pelvis, all in teaser on the mat. We then worked on teaser on the box with the reformer and I was able to make it more fluid once Heather pointed out to me that I need to continue engaging my lats, rather than throwing them away as I start thinking about my legs. We again bent back over the barrel and did it sideways as well. Heather asked if I could get up gracefully and ladylike from that position. Nay-nay.
Next week Heather will measure me and post my progress. Even before that final measurement, I know I haven’t just lost inches. I’ve also gained confidence in the strength and capability of my body.
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