Change... Excerpt from September 2010 Newsletter

"For everything you have missed, you have gained something else, and for everything you gain, you lose something else."
--Ralph Waldo Emerson

Well, here it is -- best said by an American icon. Change brings a balance of things. Knowing this doesn't make it any easier. When we are in the midst of change, especially the first painful bits of shaking things loose, we'd rather be back in the stuck spot where things are at least familiar. Yet once we are past that awful and uncomfortable moment when we first recognize some change is necessary, we move into a new flow, a new rhythm. Once we are there we can't imagine being anywhere else. Change can be funny like that.

I bring this up now because as many of us know, I've been experiencing my own bit of turbulence around change. Our baby, the studio, is moving beyond toddler-hood and it's time to treat it as such -- to let loose and see what it will do. A big step. We've invited several new teachers -- Colleen McCarty and student teacher Tiffany DiMartin -- into the Collective with excitement. And October brings with it a new class format, new pricing and a new schedule.

Certainly, we are no strangers to change. I think Pilates Collective may have undergone so many changes that for some of you it seems we've lived multiple lives together. It's true. For whatever reason, we have chosen this path and it has lead us around more curves than we would have thought we could endure.

So, we take another step forward to lose something and gain something. We hope that you will see your way through all of this to our truest efforts to improve the studio for both students and teachers. It takes both, to make our community what it is and to build a foundation that will last. Of course, there will be bumps in the road. Some changes will feel difficult and some that we thought might be difficult, will be easy. The truth is, you never know how it's going to unfold.

As we make these transitions, please feel free to give us your feedback. We want the studio to be welcoming, safe and supportive to all of you, so your thoughts are invaluable.

And on top of all of this, the season dares to change too. I hope you are all thriving and living the lives you want to be living. We'll see you soon.

With gratitude,
Chantill

Pilates Is a Journey - Excerpt from August 2010 Newsletter

Everyday I hear myself saying Pilates is a journey. To see and feel results you need to practice. There is no end point in which the body is "fixed" and perfectly aligned and functioning without some small bit of work to be done. That's the truth. It's a beautiful truth. Our body's are always teaching us, always changing to offer more insights. The true value of Pilates -- of anything -- is in the practice.

We have been working quite a lot on figuring out what draws people to Pilates? How do we articulate the value of the method? How do we help people understand it and want to do it? Sure it's about fitness, health, strength, well-being, but it's also about making a choice to dedicate yourself to something for the long run. How do we portray all of that?

As most of us know, what we thought Pilates was when we first started is not what it ends up being -- even after our first class we start to have a hint of this. This is one of the most enduring qualities of Pilates. It is always changing, revealing more possibilities.

As teachers we've been doing it for so long it has evolved from and into many things. For some of us ease and efficiency are at it's heart. For some of us it's about mindfulness and observation. For some of us it's about injury prevention and a life with less pain and greater strength. I think I can say with confidence we love Pilates because it's malleable and adaptable to our individual needs. It can be anything we want it to be as long as we are dedicated to it.

But why do you do it? Why would you tell someone else do it? What's the value for anyone?

It's just exercise, right? Sometimes we do it, sometimes we don't. We do it because the "They" are telling us that balance and core work is important or that we must get an hour of exercise a day (or whatever "They" are saying). Maybe we come to it because we want to look a little better in our jeans; we want to like what we see in the reflection of the shop windows; we are in pain; or maybe we want a better golf or tennis game. Every reason is a valid and powerful reason. So, if you know why you started, then why do you continue?

Pilates, for me now, couldn't be further from what I first imagined it was (on the floor, pumping my arms wildly because a very imposing ballet teacher said I must and some German guy back in the 50's said we should). Today, (due in part to a more mature sensibility -- thank goodness for everyone -- and much more experience) I see it is a never-ending process of knowing my body better -- understanding, deepening and unfolding. With knowing comes the skill of observation and awareness. With awareness comes the ability to build strength beyond my immediate goals, pain or challenges. That is why I practice -- I see there is always somewhere new to go and it is never boring!

Whatever the answer is for you we are grateful that you've made a decision to practice. If you wish your practice was more consistent that's why we are here -- to help guide and support you. If you want to start practicing, we are here for that too.

We hope that you have found something in Pilates that will be a part of your life for a long time. We hope that your enthusiasm helps to inspire others to investigate the great potential Pilates holds.

We are grateful for this opportunity to offer something valuable into the world and have so many wonderful people to share it with. Keep practicing or start practicing. We'll see you soon.


Chantill

On The Wagon

Greetings All!
It's been more than a year since I've posted directly to our studio blog, but am excited about making it a constant and ongoing forum for our teachers, students and community.

My sense is, however, that blogs work because people blog - so it will be a collective :) effort for us to make this a success. So, blog, blog, blog away!

I will now be posting our monthly newsletter article to the blog so you can read it, send it, comment on it and write your own responses and blurbs - any thoughts or challenges or inspirations you want to share.

We will also now have a link to our blog(s) - as there are two of them technically - on our website so you can access them easily. In attempts to generate interest and conversation I am also working on linking us to other blogs to hear what Pilates enthusiasts and teachers are saying around the country and the world.

Here are a few interesting things on my mind right now related to Pilates:

- We just found out that we were voted Honorable Mention for Best Pilates Studio in Sonoma County in the Bohemian's Best Of for the second year in a row.
I think this is an amazing feat given the plethora of really good Pilates studios in Sonoma county and how long many of them have been around.
We couldn't be more proud to be thought of so highly! Thank you! We'll keep you posted about the official announcement and any parties or specials associated :)

- One of my students, Patty Holden, a nutritionist by education and inspiration, was telling me yesterday that studies have been done that show asymetries in the body can start during gestation. Fascinating stuff. Research is now being done and published regarding diet and blood-type (you've heard of the Eat Right for Your Blood Type) and diet and genetics.
Here are some links - http://www.drpeterjdadamo.com/wiki/wiki.pl/Welcome and
http://www.genotypediet.com/index.shtml

- We are just about to launch the demo site for our Audio Home Practice program and are working hard to get it to you. Keep your eyes and ears posted for PilatesHomePractice.com/Audio. This program will eventually lead to video classes as well! Exciting!!!

First Fridays Mentoring Series Begins Friday, Feb. 5th!

Beyond The Technique – Business Skills, Savvy, & Strategies For a Thriving Pilates Business

If you are a teacher, you don't want to miss this 6 month program (to be taken individually or as a series). It's a wonderful opportunity for teachers to deepen their teaching skills and to learn the skills to be better in business.

In these economic times, we cannot afford to not know how to be savvy business owners. Our teaching and our ability to maintain a business presence are often not linked or talked about. In this series you will have a chance to dive in to the challenges of running a business and being a better teacher.


Here's more:

There is so much more to being a Pilates teacher than receiving a certificate of completion, designing a logo, and choosing the perfect space. And there is so much more to continuing education than learning more technique. You run a business as a Pilates teacher, whether you are an independent contractor, employee, manager, or studio owner. And the ultimate goal of any business is getting and keeping customers. This series focuses on “how” to get and keep your clients, not “what” you teach them.

Join veteran teacher, Carol Appel, for a 6-part mentoring series on critical business aspects of teaching that are often excluded from teacher training programs.

Over the course of this dynamic process – held on the “First Friday” of each month in Petaluma, CA – you will address:

How do you differentiate yourself in an industry where Pilates is now a commodity? What motivates a customer to learn from you, instead of another teacher? What is your personal mission, and your vision for your business future? What are your underlying non-negotiable values that stamp how you operate in the business world? How do you get clients? Are you uncomfortable asking for business? Can you close a sale? What indicators do you track to know how well your business is doing?

In this multi-level group and personal journey, you will learn to:

- Work on your business, not just in your business.

- Embrace your power of selling.

- Promote yourself, generate leads, and convert a prospect into a raving fan.

- Skillfully introduce prospective clients to your services.

- Integrate a client, retain that client and get referrals from your client.

- Fortify your business to withstand economic cycles.

- Nurture true client ability, not just dependency - which translates into true client loyalty.

Each workshop covers 3 elements:

- A business conversation with activities and homework to personalize your outcomes.

- A coaching conversation on the specifics of ensuring client success.

- A collective examination of an exercise. The group will detail an exercise; including the ways to teach it, the benefits, related exercises, how to prepare the client for this move, and what advanced moves this is a preparation for.

Carol Appel was originally mentored by, and worked under Romana Kryzanowska. She has taught Pilates for 26 years; pioneering the high volume Pilates model in a health-club setting, serving on the PMA Board of Directors, and directing a well-established teacher training program. Carol is passionate that teachers are equally strong in the business and teaching of Pilates.

Email us for a detailed outline of the course at info@pilatescollective.com

For registration:

Cost: Single Workshop - $100

Full Mentoring Series - $540 3 or more in a group receive extra 5% off series price

Dates: Fridays - February 5, March 5, April 2, May 7, June 4, July 9

Time: 4 – 7 pm

Location: 800 Baywood Drive, Petaluma, CA 94954

For more questions or to sign up: call 707-778-3552

Go to www.pilatespluspetaluma.com and click on appointments to register online.

Pilates for Everyone: New Resources and Insights

We are excited to announce new offerings at Pilates Collective both for our students and for our teachers, existing and up-in-coming.

Since we took on the role of training teachers in 2007/2008 we have seen the need for continued resources for the Pilates community and more importantly our community.

There are a lot of people practicing and promoting Pilates across the globe, but for us what matters most is the impact we make close to home. As professionals in this ever growing field, it's crucial that we stay connected and involved in the greater community of the world aligning ourselves with cutting edge research and innovation. But as studio owners in Sebastopol, Ca it's even more important that we continue to provide exceptional and caring service to you who have embarked on this journey.

What's NEW:

Pilates for Professionals Newsletter - To connect you with other teachers, trainings, workshops and insights right in your local community.

Let us do some of the leg work to keep you involved and connected with what the larger community is doing. Linked to our new Resource for Pilates Professionals Page on the Pilates Collective website, you'll find articles, podcasts and more to help you improve your work.

The newsletter will include opportunities for community service and philanthropy as well. The San Francisco based United Pilates Collective is actively pursuing this and other ways to promote Pilates excellence and support for professionals. See the link in our favorites section to see what they are up to.

Kristen and I have had the pleasure of being involved with them from the beginning and I am chairing the Scholarship and Philanthropy Committee. See the associated Blog link above.

Find out more about this and other community-based opportunities through the Pilates for Professionals Newsletter.

Sign up now by emailing us at info@pilatescollective.com. Re: Professional Newsletter.

NEW for our students - As more and more students expand and explore their Pilates practice we've begun to expand our Self Directed page to help students continue their success outside of sessions and classes

Visit our Self Directed Page on the Pilates Collective website and see that we've added.

Audio files for you to download of generic or specific self directed routines to come soon!!! Hear our voices in your head whenever you need to.

Twitter and Facebook: Join us on these two wildly ubiquitous social networking sites and help us stay connected. It's the perfect place to give feedback, suggestions, inspirations and more. Twitter.com re: SebbiePilates. Facebook.com become a Pilates Collective Fan.

Also, review us on Yelp! Yelp.com. But be sure to have reviewed other businesses as well otherwise Yelp confiscates the review. AHHH...and no one gets to see it. Thank you to those who have done this before.

No Fixed Points - A Lesson On Flow

I always tease my husband about being like a well worn rock – the way things run over him like water no matter what’s going on. Most of the time, I am more like the random floating tree limb, constantly bobbing around the rock, bouncing off of it, sometimes settling, but inevitably looking for the next place to land, the next fixed point (a planned destination of course.) Lucky for us, we strike a lovely balance most of the time. We find a flow.

Except when we don’t. Then my bumping around goes something like this: “You’ve got to be doing something. What are you moving toward? Where is this leading? What’s the goal? Shouldn’t you be trying to be something? Move forward. Don’t be apathetic. Don’t waste time.” To this end it’s insidious.

You may know this feeling. Bumpy water can also be worry, doubt, fear, perfection (hah!), lack of motivation (this would be a slow muddy like bumping around). Anyway, you get the idea. If we are striving for a million fixed points, the pushing comes from inside. If we are worried or doubtful, the fixed points tend to bump up against us – the pushing seemingly coming from everywhere else.

Lately, though, with things in the world constantly and rapidly changing, fixed points out in the distance don’t really exist. Pretty much what we can set our radars by are the things right in front of us. For the rest, we just have to jump in and try not to get battered against the rocks. The less we resist the less tension there is, the more effective our efforts, the more we flow, the better the ride.

In Pilates flow is a fundamental concept. Flowing movement, control, balance, centering, rhythm are all underlying principles of what we are ultimately trying to achieve by moving with awareness. It’s efficiency, the balance of effort and ease.

In the body, it’s the same thing. When we apply too much effort, more than is necessary for the muscles to achieve the given movement goal, the excess effort is stored as tension.
Tension creates immobility and inflexibility. When the body becomes too fixed or rigid there is no room for adaptation, no ability to flow. The only other option then is to apply more and more effort to achieve simpler and simpler movements and then there is pain and ultimately injury.

A popular sentiment lately is that we humans have to be pressed up against the very edge, forced to stand on the precipice before we change. For me this is proving to be relatively true. The bigger the changes the more I am aware that flow is necessary, that adaptability is critical, ease is vital. Because if I can’t enjoy the ride what’s the point.

A Smiling Meditation

Here is one of my favorite meditations that I may have shared with you before.
It's a nice chance to cultivate and deliberately call on the feeling of joy and contentment.

Begin: Relaxed position sitting or laying down. Eyes closed and body alert and awake begin to track your inhale and exhale. Become aware of the overall quality in your body and if it's possible try to soften into areas of tension.

1. Saying silently: I am aware of breathing in (as you inhale). I am aware of breathing out (as you exhale). Repeat as many times as you want.
Eventually shorten to I am breathing in or just in. I am breathing out or out.
Continue to let your body relax into the natural pace of your breath.

2. Next say silently: I am aware of breathing in deep (as you inhale). I am aware of breathing out slow (as you exhale).
Continuing with Breathing in deep or deep. Breathing out slow or slow.

3. I am breathing in ease. I am breathing out calm.
Breathing in ease. Breathing out calm.
Ease. Calm.

4. The fun part!
For this one you want to elicit a sense of smiling from the deepest part of your physical body, create a smile with your insides. It may or may not produce a smile on your face, but I will venture to guess that you won't be able to help it.

I am aware of smiling. I am aware of releasing.
I am smiling. I am releasing.
Smile. Release.

5. The grand finale.
I am aware of this moment. I am aware of the perfect moment.
This moment. The perfect moment.

Finish by bringing your attention back to your breath and slowly, mindfully opening your eyes.

This meditation was taken from a teaching by Thich Nhat Hanh.