Turn Ons: Authentic Pilates, lots of Gratz Pilates equipment (my fave!), Mat, Tower & Wunda Chair group classes in a warm, homey, comfortable NYC loft.
Turn Offs: Only that I have to schlep downtown for classes. Maybe I'll just move...?
Rate My Date:
- Not My Type
- 1 Night Stand
- Crush
- In Love
Happily Ever After
It happened while lying supine on the Trapeze Table at Re:AB Pilates, a NoHo studio owned by Brooke Siler and the woman behind the brand that boasts a list of celebrity clients, its own Authentic Pilates Certification plus books and videos for Pilates geeks and aficionados.
It was my first private Pilates session in years and I was excited about a little one-on-one attention. But what I wasn't prepared for was the life-altering experience that would occur during my 55min session with Christina. As I lie on the Trapeze Table, I felt under no uncertain terms how my post-marital trauma, fear and resistance to change (PMSD) had somatized. My muscles were clinging to my bones in desperate survival mode. They didn't want to let go. They preferred hanging on to any semblance of stability despite the pain or discomfort I was in.
I realized that in Pilates, as in life, I need to become grounded again; be present in my body and simultaneously open myself up to transformation, change and forward movement. It was concretized right then and there just how stuck I am in my body, mind and spirit. I hadn't realized the extent of my resistance and immobility because I'm such a workaholic; powering my way through challenges by keeping busy rather than paying attention to my core needs. Similarly, when Pilates gets challenging, I inadvertently avoid sourcing my core strength because it takes far more inner-focus and concentration than simply overworking my strong, dependable and easily accessible muscles. In Pilates, as in life, I strategically find ways to convince myself and others of my indomitable strength. But I'm a fraud! (Shhh. Don't tell anyone!) This epiphany elicited so many emotions that I almost cried while doing "footwork" on the appropriately named Reformer. I was so grateful for Christina's compassion, skill and insight. She felt it more imperative to help me rediscover the strength that comes from conscious breathwork and moving from my "powerhouse" rather than appealing to my ego's desire to do all the advanced work Mr. Pilates ever created. She understood that true strength comes from a place deeper than one's ego.
I'll admit that, after all of my years of Pilates experience, it was humbling to feel as if I were starting from scratch again; just as I'm re-building my life post-divorce. But now I realize on more than just an intellectual level how important it is to free my mind of self-imposed expectations, be present, accept where I am in the moment and move from there. It isn't easy in Pilates... or in life. But now I'm truly ready to be reformed.
33 Bleeker Street, Suite 2C
Getting There By Subway:
- 6 to Bleeker Street at Lafayette
- B, D, F, M to Broadway-Lafayette at Houston