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Pilates at Re:Ab

Last night, I took a beginner mat class as part of a package I bought from Lifebooker.  I have not taken pilates before, aside from 2 gyrotonics classes (different, but similar, perhaps?), one pilates mat class years ago at Equinox and one class with a private teacher years and years ago because my mother made me go with her.  Each time, I have vowed never to do it again, because I leave with pain in my back, neck and head.  I can see the principles of it, but it's so painful that i never see it through.

2010 is a year of change for me.  I started out with Brooklyn Bridge Boot Camp in January and again in March.  I have vowed to start a yoga practice and I even tried a Bikram class (a good, clean feeling afterwards, but not for me.  I had no energy for the next two days, and I don't do well in heat).  I want to start pilates, because I need better posture, balance and core strength (something I never had, but thanks to Ariane Hundt, I can now do 10 fairly muddled sit-all-the-way-ups with weights).  In the beginning of January, I lost my cat who had been with me for 9 years, and at the end of January, my beloved father died.  I initially wanted to stop everything and sit in the dark and drink bottles of scotch, but I read a quote - "Your life is what's left of his.  Make it good."  Not only do I need to honor my father, I want to get my body ready for a family (NYC taboo to say you want a kid, I know).  So I'm trying my best to continue efforts. And daddy would have pushed me to do these things for myself anyway.  He was very good at pushing me along without actually making it seem like he was pushing.

As for re:ab, the instructor, Brittany, was really sweet and didn't go too fast at all, which has been a problem for me before.  I would definitely recommend a class with her to start your pilates practice.  I did understand the exercises, and even the Pilates Scoop.  I just have to practice the exercises and the breathing patterns.  I spoke to Brittany after class and let her know my issues,  and she recommended I take some individual classes on equipment.  I traded in the remaining sessions on my Lifebooker package and paid a little more and will schedule my classes within the week.  I'm excited!!!!  I did leave class last night with a bit of neck pain and a little light-headed, but I just have to keep at it and learn not to toss things aside so casually just because I am not miraculously good at them right off the bat.  If there's one thing I learned back in January, I can't take anything for granted - not even for a second.