Homework is a part of practicing Pilates

“Concentrate on the correct movement each time you exercise, lest you do them improperly and thus lose all vital benefits.” ~ Joseph Pilates

If you know me at all, you know I’m a student at heart. That’s the big push for me to film Pilates exercises you can do at home that are similar to Pilates exercises practiced at a studio using apparatuses. Have FOMO? Sign up for my newsletter for these exercises and tips.

I learned from my 2 mentorship programs last year that back in the day of being a student of Joseph Pilates, you’d get a couple of exercises to do at home, and at your leisure. In fact, that’s the inspiration for Joe designing the Wunda Chair. It was for his student’s homes, including the fancy folks who would summer at the Hamptons.

I’ve mentioned before that I’m teaching my mom at my home studio. Here’s an update on her progress with her approval, of course!

She can carry 2 (two!) grocery bags, AND walk up the stairs to the front door of her apartment building, AND walk up one flight of stairs to her apartment. Last year, she was able to carry 1 grocery bag and walk up the wheelchair ramp to the front door of her apartment building, then take the escalator one floor up.
She can step on and off curbs as part of walking around her neighborhood. This was another situation where she looked for those wheelchair ramps to walk up or down so she could cross the streets.
She’s able to get in and out of her car by actually lifting her legs using her center WITHOUT using her arms to lift her legs one at a time to get in or out of the car. She had resigned herself to thinking this is what she had to do now, accepting that this is just a part of getting older.

THESE ARE MASSIVE WINS! THE PROGRESS SHE’S MAKING IS BIG, HUGE NEWS!! WAY TO GO, MOM!!! I was squealing, shrieking, jumping up and down, clapping, hooting and hollering, and hugging my mom when she shared all of this with me. Even as I write this blog, I have a huge, beaming smile on my face, and I’m pretty sure my eyes are twinkling! This update makes me so happy to write and share, and I’m super proud of my mom’s progress. It simply warms my heart that I’ve been able to help her with Pilates by applying the knowledge I learned from my 2 mentorship programs last year.

My mom usually has a weekly session. However, there are times when life gets in the way, and we can’t fit in a weekly session. I’d love to see her 2-3x / week because she would get the most benefits from Pilates as its effects are compounding. (Note: This is true for everybody and for any movement practice.) So, to keep her moving and practicing when I don’t see her, I gave her homework after every session, told her to practice daily as many exercises as she can remember. She’s still practicing some of the homework that I gave her on day 1! Sometimes, I give her the same homework, and sometimes, the homework changes based on what I’m seeing in her body as she works out in my studio. TL; DR: What’s important is that my mom is doing her homework, and it definitely shows every time she stops by the house, and how she practices her exercises around my studio on all the various apparatuses I have.

Another example of homework – My teaching partner through one of my mentorship programs is also doing her homework through her physical therapist, as she’s finally seeing someone for various ailments that have been plaguing her for the last year. She’ll be the first to tell you that she does not do homework. But with how bad things have gotten in her body, she’s taking it seriously because she does not want to find herself in this situation again. The difference she feels after doing her PT homework, then practicing Pilates is FIRE! She’s feeling more connections now in her Pilates practice, and the cues I use make more sense now than before. In her case, she needed to be put back together, and address the source of her issues (not the symptoms) so she’s reaping the benefits of her Pilates practice even more than before.

All this talk about homework – I have a personal win to share as well. I’ve been seeing a personal trainer for weekly sessions since the end of summer last year, but not as consistently as I would like with my availability. To aim for consistency, I asked for homework routines that I can do at home or on travels. In less than 1 year, I got my hip tilt even at 9 degrees! Ideal range is between 7 and 10 degrees. This may not mean much until I share with you that my hip tilt on my left side was 2 degrees, and on my right side was 8 degrees. I was able to make the biggest changes in the first 6 months as my left side went from 2 to 4 to 6 degrees, then I plateaued for a bit as it took another few months to even out left and right at 8 degrees, then evenly increase both sides to 9 degrees.

It may not have taken as long as it did, but I was unable to see my personal trainer for the last 7 months due to ski-cations and work schedule changes, but I kept up with my homework twice a week so when I was finally able to see my trainer, and re-measure my hips – woo hoo!!! Not only did I finally get that left side to catch up to the right, but I’m making improvements to get both hip bones more level. Proof that muscles can move bones into alignment. Now – can I get to 10 degrees on both sides???? Let’s see!

I guess I got my homework gene from my mom – hahahaha! Thanks Mom!

In my own Pilates practice, I’m still continuing to practice weak-strong-weak when I’m working one side at a time. It’s still obvious that my left is weaker than my right even with even hips.

Hopefully, that’s inspiration and motivation for you not only to get your Pilates practice in, but also to do your homework to get results that change your body. Think about any fitness modality, or rehab, there is homework involved. Consistency is key. The discipline is up to you.

You should get homework from your Pilates teacher so you can do a few exercises at home, especially if you’re only able to make it into the studio once a week. If you’re not getting homework, don’t be shy to ask! Unfortunately, real changes in your body do not come from weekly sessions. They come from the frequency of movement, the application of good form, and incorporating strength and mobility training. I’m sure any Pilates teacher would love to give you homework 😀. Speaking from my own personal experience of giving out homework, as well as asking for homework, I’d personally love to give you 1-2 exercises specific to you that you can do at home to replicate Pilates exercises you would do at my home studio.

Book a private with me today!