Starting out, without overthinking
Why my new online program MoveSmart doesn’t start with breath.
There’s a lot of debate in the Pilates world right now. The method has never been more popular, yet with this rise has come a huge diversification of styles and approaches, and discussion over which is best. One thing almost everyone agrees on however, is that breath is a central pillar of Pilates. Most instructors will tell you it’s the first thing they teach in class. So when it came to developing my new online program, why didn’t I use this structure?
This might be controversial, but…
Over 12 years of teaching 1:1, I’ve noticed that some of the people who stand to gain the most from Pilates, don’t have the headspace for a deep dive on breath anatomy in their first few sessions. And if we’re not learning the why behind it, the breath just becomes another thing to remember.
If you’re stressed, stiff, and just wanting to feel better, you don’t need that. I see it all the time in early 1:1’s; conscientious learners who are moving really well (for whom just showing up has taken a lot), scolding themselves thinking they’re “getting the breath wrong”.
Once you have some basics under your belt, and are tuned into your body, understanding how your breath facilitates movement, can transform how you feel and supercharge your progress. But when you’re new to mindful movement, and adjusting to the details, you don’t need another thing to hold in your mind.
Starting from the ground up
In MoveSmart, we truly start from the ground up, focusing on the basics that help you feel better straight away. Of course, we take a few deep breaths to settle in, but then we get on with mobilising our spine (module 1) and hips (module 2), and we move.
By the time module 3 drops into your inbox, you’re already feeling freer, less achey, and more focussed. You’re in the habit of regularly moving, have built some knowledge, and you’re ready to delve into the function of the breath. To experience it fine tuning your stability and igniting your core. Cue the magic.
Why MoveSmart?
This is just one of the ways I’ve built MoveSmart in 8 Weeks out of years of experience working with real people, just like you. It’s designed to set you up for success. I’m meeting you where you are - stressed, stuck, and unsure where to start - and helping you build confident foundations, one principle at a time, and in a way you can process alongside daily life.
So I'm by no means ignoring the incredible power of breath, the opposite is true. I see it’s full value, and want you to as well.
So let’s start the journey to feeling better, one step at a time.