Still wandering..

Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn. 

Benjamin Franklin

I wouldn't trade anything for this trip down to Boulder. It truly has been insightful, the people I have met (DISCLAIMER!) are warm and inclusive, open and honest. No fancy tricks, just time spent to understand Pilates better, in depth. Why I love Pilates? Because it's just plainly logical, Debora agreed. 

I am grateful to have met teachers who are ever so willing to share and pass on their knowledge. Although, I wouldn't have revealed that I was teaching Pilates back home in Singapore... because HOW ODD and how on earth this Asian girl managed to get an accommodation at the University when she's just visiting, HAHA!

I've barely scratched the surface of the rock, I know. It's exciting, AND scary. I've met teachers who have guided me to be body-sense more aware and inspired me to keep learning and be a better teacher, but I haven't met one who truly inspires me to understand WHAT I am teaching and WHY, not just HOW. Specific as she can be, yet she makes it plain simple and digestible. It just takes time to unlearn (and relearn) and reprocess information. Change doesn't happen overnight. But I'm glad I made this first step because... well, I can't explain, maybe it's just a personality thing. 

I also wanted to share Eve Gentry's work, which I thought would actually clear doubts and allow my peers and fellow Pilates practitioners understand the idea of "Imprint" better.

Part 1

Part 2

Though I mostly teach 'neutral spine', I am just saddened at the fact that for years my idea of imprint (as was delivered), was actually not what was intended. I'm glad that has been clarified earlier.

Never take the information given to you for granted and accept it. Question it and reacquaint with it if it makes sense...

That being said, last 4 days in Boulder! :(

Thoughts

"...all Pilates teachers should find someone excellent to watch over and guide their own Pilates practice. This can be pivotal to the development of oneself and one’s teaching." 

~ Mary Bowen (Source: Pilates Anytime)

I couldn't agree more. I remember when I met Mary Bowen in her specialized "Pilates Plus Psyche" workshop organized in Singapore, I was the youngest in the room at the age of 27 (she guessed so too.) I was in the midst of finding myself, discovering the route that was ahead of me. I honestly hadn't imagined (or planned for) this journey, having graduated in a degree in Chemistry. 

"Don't fear because of your youth." She said, as we went through our individual personality types. "Don't be too hard on yourself if things don't work out the way you want them." 

7 years isn't too long at all. I've just passed the infant stage of my career. 

I'm grateful to have met Pat whom I look up as a teacher mentor, very fortunate to have her guide me and help me understand the true essence of Pilates- so many different schools, so many different styles... I'm still trying to find my style. It's always good to get understanding sorted, and simplified. I think I tend to complicate things...

The past week has been an opportunity to learn, and unlearn things. I can't imagine what else will unfold as we spend more time together.. So what is Pilates? How/what have we been taught, and how/what have we been teaching?

I am surely more inspired to understand better. Time really is in its essence. 
Who needs more time? ✋