And so, my first week of Pilates has officially come to pass. I have to say, today being a rest day has found me missing Pilates. As I write this I'm stiff. I don't feel as relaxed or comfortable as I have this last week.
One of the most underrated benefits of Pilates is the way it just makes your body ... I don't know, flow, easier. The muscles don't stiffen up as badly. Having the ability to do Pilates in the evening, having that to look forward to, was missed today. I really wished I could have done Pilates today but the calendar said take a rest day, so rest I shall.
I've learned a lot of new things this week. This entire experience has been new for me. My body has been subjugated to numerous new things and it's taken a while for it to get used to that, but I feel like my body is really starting to adjust.
Pilates isn't just a physical discipline, though, it's also a mental discipline. Having to focus on the proper breathing and proper form is tough at first but as the days have gone along I feel like I've gotten better at it. I still get sloppy towards the end of the videos, when I start getting gassed, but I feel like that'll get better with time.
I have some things I need to work on, though. My mental discipline is being a bit hampered by that voice in my head. You know the one, the one that says "You look like a freakin idiot doing this, why are you even here?" That voice has been bugging me all week. On some of the more embarrassing videos, it has been screaming in my ear.
It breaks the concentration and I need to do a better job just getting over it. Sure, what I do looks ... strange ... but its working. It has definable results and it's a challenge, something my body hasn't really had in quite a while.
Physically, I've found the workouts this week to range from intense to a bit relaxed. As Cassie (the instructor in the videos) says, we all are at different levels. I can do cardio fairly easily but the super flexible movements are beyond me. I'm not that flexible. I don't know if I'll ever be, but I need to do a better job of relaxing myself during those frustrating bits.
Being frustrated and tense can't possible help me be more flexible. I need that from a physical standpoint as we progress in the videos.
Speaking of the videos, I do wish they weren't just specifically targeted towards women. I understand completely why they are. Women make up the majority of the demographic for Pilates. The comment section of the videos, the Facebook page, her site, and various other sites confirm this. You have to appeal towards your audience.
I can't name one other guy I know who's ever thought about doing Pilates, let alone actually do it. So, yeah, the videos are going to be targeted at women. The music is going to be pop infused. I know, through research, that the majority of the Pilates movements can be done by men. I'm not confident I can do all of them but I can do some.
Making this appeal to a broader audience would help me not feel so singled about. But that's kind of the point here. I'm engaging in a form of exercise most men stay clear of. Being singled out is what it's all about.
Other than me being bothered by the target audience of the videos, I find them generally appealing. Cassie is super-perky (too perky) and the various pop music bits she uses are not my taste (at all). But she gets results. I can deal with it as long as I get results, and so far I have.
Week one was a challenge. I have been tested physically and mentally. I like that.
I would fully recommend this to anyone, male or female. It's really a great way to get a good workout while also learning things (like the stretches) that can be used without the workout.
In conclusion ... do Pilates. Give it a week. Heck, four days. It's good to you. Thanks for reading. See you good people tomorrow for Day Eight.
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