Pilates

It's been almost a year since I started doing pilates about once a week. I've had experience with yoga, but I didn't really know much about pilates (which I understood to be a class workout on a mat, just like yoga). A friend I met who lives in the neighborhood has an adorable little boy my daughter's age, and she is a certified instructor. She wanted to teach classes in her apartment - but could only teach three people at a time. So a few of us signed on to get the party started. At first, I wasn't sure I liked it. It wasn't yoga and I didn't really know what I was doing. But after a few times, I got the hang of it - and I have definitely noticed an improvement in my core strength! My running may have also been positively been affected, because last year I ran faster paces than ever, and even ran some of my best races as well.

In addition to the physical benefits, my friends and I have a chance to chat and rant and plan and support and encourage and reassure and praise and reset. We do this in-between moves - it works for us, since there are only a few of us and we aren't beginners anymore. Our children play together with a babysitter while we "workout" - which is what they understand their mamas are doing. This arrangement has also worked really well for Baby - she loves the sitter and her friends, and feels so comfortable in the environment. It has given her a chance to play in a small group setting with kids her age, and the regularity of the routine has also been beneficial. I cannot think of a better way to attend a pilates class!

I'll also add that since we moved to Chicago, I don't have many running partners. I do run with Baby (!!), my husband, and whichever Sticks happen to be in town, but I'm not in a club or on a team and I don't attend group runs (although almost every running store has at least one organized group run - usually free). But my schedule doesn't really allow for that now, and I've adjusted to the solitude. I don't mind running solo at all, but I do miss the conversation that would often elevate an ordinary group run. Not to mention connecting with other runners and meeting people like me. So, in a way, pilates workouts have allowed me that chance to socialize during a workout.

Here's a pic my friend took at yesterday's workout -

My mom commented that I looked so happy and she loved seeing me having fun. I agree - I'm definitely in my element (even if that element is fairly new to me and something I want to complement my running - not detract from it). But I'm so grateful that I have this opportunity and hoping it can continue indefinitely.

First Note: despite my silliness posing on the reformer, we are all business during the hour long workout...I'm just a goofball and that is NOT a pilates pose ... ;)

Second Note: We rarely use the reformer during our classes, though we have on occasion. We typically do mat classes.

Third Note: I highly recommend pilates for core strength and flexibility - especially if you are a runner! But that is just my opinion. No one paid me to say that.