So, what is a Pilates certification, anyway?

I am currently working towards my comprehensive Pilates certification, with the test being on December 13.  For those of you that read this blog or follow me on social media, you know how firmly I believe that Pilates instructors should be well trained.  But what exactly is a Pilates training?  Shedding a bit of light on that today:

I am pursuing my Peak Pilates certification.  Peak Pilates is a classical certification, sanctioned by the Pilates Method Alliance.  Classical Pilates follows the specific orders and exercises created by Joseph Pilates.
Peak Pilates describes their training(s) as:
The Peak Pilates® Comprehensive Certification is a classical Pilates education program distinguished by an emphasis on Pilates as an integrated movement system as Joseph Pilates intended.

I have learned the Pilates mat work, Reformer, chair, ladder barrel, as well as other complimentary equipment, like the spine corrector and Ped-o-Pull. 

The more training I receive, the happier I am with a comprehensive, multi-level training.  Practice and studying most definitely makes perfect, and I never get nervous prior to teaching a class, a private session, giving a presentation on Pilates...my training has prepared me for all of it.
 

So, here is what I have been through:
2009:  Two 4 day trainings, 9 hours each day, followed with a full 8 hour day of testing.  The test includes a practical portion of teaching mat and equipment, being taught to in order to see that I can perform the work, and a written assessment covering Pilates instruction, anatomy and practical applications of the work.

2011:  One 4 day training, 9 hours each day followed with another full testing day, just like above, but with more in-depth training for the intermediate level.

2013:  Two 3 day trainings, 4-9 hours each day.  In December I will take part in another assessment day.  Scary but fun all at once.  After (hopefully!) passing this exam I will have gone through the beginner to advanced work and successfully tested out, showing knowledge in the exercise and method of true Pilates.  My education won't be over, though, the comprehensive certification is just my ticket into the interesting and fun world of advanced continuing education.  Learning to work with injuries, athletes, the super-advanced work...so much fun still ahead!

There are many Pilates certifications out there, some just as in-depth as mine, some more intense, some just one day in length.  Always check to see where and who certified your instructor.  The more training your instructor has, the safer you will be and the more effective the exercise will be for you.

Have you tried Pilates?  
Mat?  Reformer?
Did you know that a Pilates instructor goes through this rigorous of a training?

It isn't easy for any of us...

"It isn't easy for any of us, Pete."
This was said by Peggy to Pete in an episode of Mad Men.  He was lamenting about how hard it was for him to be a working husband and looked at Peggy's life as being single, fun, and no worries.  If you watch Mad Men, you know that that is far from the truth.  What Peggy said has stuck with me.  It truly isn't easy for any of us even though the grass always looks greener on the other side, right?
Today I woke up and was hit with a dizzy spell.  I had tubes put in my ears in 2011 due to chronic pressure and infection problems.  They are slowly growing out, I have one in, one out, currently, and I know that it is causing me to feel dizzy.  My first Pilates session today I went to demo an exercise where you bend to touch your toes. Whoa my gosh!  I felt like the room was spinning!  I then had to teach a 30 minute yoga class.  Wow.  Did you ever spin and spin until you couldn't anymore and then lie down on the floor?  The room felt like it was tipping.  I used to love that when I was a toddler.  That is how I felt today and I definitely can say that I don't love it anymore.  By the end of class I felt like I was going to vom.  But I still had to teach one more private Pilates session.  I was upright and started to feel better.  Once my client's hour was up I was faced with some free time due to a cancellation.  My first thought was to practice Reformer for my upcoming exam.  Then I realized how dizzy I had been and thought about just going home.  Nope,  Can't do that.  I need the practice, and since I am a working mom with an insanely busy schedule I have to grab up practice time when I can.
So, I did my advanced Reformer workout.  And I was fine.  Maybe the yoga had re-centered my balance.  Maybe the hour break from movement in my own body helped.  Whatever caused it, I powered through and wasn't more than a smidge dizzy.
So, while it may seem like me, being a Pilates trainer, can just breeze through any and every workout, I can't.  I want to just go home as often as the next guy.  I feel dizzy and blarfy just like everyone else has at some point.  Yes, fitness is my passion and love so it is my stress-reliever and tons of fun for me most of the time.  But it isn't always what I want to be doing.  It isn't easy for any of us.

What is something in your life that others think is easy for you but you have to power through?

Running the Gridiron

Okay, lets not pretend that me posting anything about football is normal.
If you know me at all you know that I am bored during games and, even when I try to engage, I just don't get the rules and can't stay focused.
But, sometimes a lack of interest can translate into a great workout, right?
When L is at flag football I try my hardest to watch and cheer him on.  Because of work I can't be at any of his games, so this is the only time I get to see him play.  Only, I can't stay focused.  You guys...football is just so weird and boring to me.  I seriously have an attention deficit for the sport.
So, I usually end up going for a walk or run while he practices.
And last night, magic happened!
I think I invented this great new workout but I would like to add the disclaimer that it runs in my family to think we invented things that have been around for years.  I remember my grandma cooking shrimp for us that was sauteed in butter and garlic telling us she had invented a new way to serve shrimp.  "You mean, shrimp scampi?" We all asked.  Oh, yeah...that.
So, anyway, if this workout already exists and you have been doing it and loving it since high school or something, let me know!  I actually did google it and came up with nothing, so I would love to hear if it has an official name.
Enough with my rambling, time for the workout!

Running the Gridiron
Start at one end of a football field.  Run straight down the yard line, turn and then continue to serpentine the entire field down each yard line.
I would sprint some and regular pace some.  The last half I ran backwards down one line, forwards down the next.  
Doing the entire field is about 1 mile, so down and back gave me a nice, 2.23 mile workout, with sprints and backwards training!  I also ran on a junior football field, so running on the larger "regular" football field would give you even more miles!
It was a great opportunity to challenge my pace, zone out and enjoy my music without worrying about cars, dogs or creeps, and just get lost in my happy running place.

Your GPS will look a little confused :)

Try it and let me know what you think!  The possibilities are endless when it comes to variations...you can goal yourself for 1 trip down and back, 2, 3...how ever many miles you want to get in.  And, like I said, sprint!  Run backwards!  Run sideways!  Skip, gallop, bunny hop...have fun with it!  But tell me about it, okay?  I love hearing about your workouts.

Enjoy!