Pilates is so hard!

I have come across many a person who has told me 'Pilates is too hard! I did one class which totally put me off. I ached for days afterwards. Never again!'.

It makes me so sad when I hear this because most likely what happened was that they joined a 'generic' pilates class, where the teacher just taught what they always teach, with no regard for the new client in their class. Did the pilates teacher speak directly to the new client prior to the class, to let them know what to expect? Did they go through their basic medical history? Did they check to see if the client was a beginner? or what their fitness level was?

Pilates is about listening and being aware of your own body. If you're someone who doesn't know what this means, then the teacher should help you realise this. Particularly if you're a beginner, it's important to notice which parts of the body feel stiff, sore, weak, & then understand which movements can help you mobilise and strengthen.

You should definitely leave your first class feeling better physically and mentally; taller; looser; freed-up and ready to try it again. If you don't.....then you need to find a different teacher!! :-)

Sophie teaching a class in Crystal Palace