It's The Only Thing That Worked to Make Me Workout!

A photo with Charlie!

I grew up asthmatic. As a kid, when I play, I didn't enjoy the idea of having to run back home after a good time with friends because I was having difficulty breathing. This is why I've consciously avoided rigorous activities. I have also shunned away from an important activity that has many great benefits but many of us find tiring to do - working out.

Then, one day, in October 2018, an Instagram page called The Pilates MVMT followed my account. Intrigued about what it was, I visited their IG page. To my pleasant surprise, I fell in love at first sight with the photos. They showed beautiful and subtle plants inside a studio. The place seemed serene. Next, I googled what Pilates was about. After reading and learning about it, I decided to change my life for the better. It was when I said: "I'm going to try exercising. I'm going to do Pilates." So I did. And I have no regrets!

It was because of The Pilates MVMT and the instructor named Joey that my perspective about working out and movement changed. I thought it was all about pushing yourself hard to complete an exercise, or punishing yourself and exerting your maximum effort even if you're not comfortable anymore just so you can prove to yourself that you're strong! With Joey, I learned that it's not the case at all! I hate working out, but with proper guidance, and understanding, it is actually enjoyable after all!

So today, I'm glad to have Joey and The Pilates MVMT as my lovely guest for today's post. My goal of writing this is to encourage all of us to feel and understand the importance of mindful movement, stillness amidst the chaos, most especially in turbulent times like now. That's why I did a short written interview with Joey. 

Please help me welcome, Joey! 

The Pilates MVMT Instructor Joey with Charlie and Chaplin (Photo snipped from IG)

"Hi! I'm Joey - the founder & studio owner of The Pilates MVMT. We are a boutique Pilates studio located in the quiet estates of Kovan (Singapore). When I'm not teaching Pilates & Rebounding workouts in the studio, you can find me attending Pilates and Rebounding classes, spending time with my fiance, or taking care of our 3 furkids (a dog, a cat & a bunny!)"

1. Describe Pilates.

Pilates is a core-strengthening workout that helps to improve posture, mobility, and stability by maintaining the 5 basic Pilates principles in each exercise:

[1] Breathing 

[2] Head & Neck Alignment 

[3] Scapula (Shoulder Blade) Mobility/Stabilization 

[4] Ribcage Placement 

[5] Pelvis Placement

2. How is the word pronounced?

PI-LAH-TEHS (British English) 

3. What makes it unique from other forms of exercise?

In contrast to faster-paced, high-intensity workouts like HIIT or CrossFit, Pilates is a low-impact workout performed in slow & controlled movements. Minimal repetitions (around 8-12 reps per exercise) are involved, so the muscles are not expected to work to the point of complete fatigue. 

The goal of Pilates is to target the smaller muscle groups in our body (e.g. transversus abdominis, pelvic floor, gluteus medius/minimus, serratus anterior, etc), which are the main cause of injuries & pain when neglected. I highly recommend cross-training (i.e. doing different types of workouts) for this reason, as Pilates makes a wonderful complement to higher intensity workouts which target the bigger muscle groups.

On the reformer during a private one on one class with Joey

4. Who can do Pilates?

Everyone! 

Most studios offer beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels of Pilates classes. There is a good variety of Pilates classes in Singapore that focuses on specific body parts, pre & post-natal, moms-and-bubs, elderly-friendly, and athletic conditioning. It all comes down to how the class is programmed, and the cues used in class to cater to each target group.

Pilates is also suitable for those with injuries from trauma or prolonged wear & tear. A 1-to-1 private Pilates class would probably work best in such cases so that the instructor can program a more rehab-based workout tailored to the clients' needs.

5. What is the impact of this exercise to you?

Pilates changed my whole perspective towards what "working out" meant.

I used to workout with more external goals in mind: lose weight, tone up my thighs, have abs.

Now, I work out with a different set of goals: improve core strength to move more safely & efficiently in daily life, and to balance strength & flexibility to reduce stiffness in my body. Everything else that happens (e.g. more toned muscles) after these 2 goals is a bonus! If it happens, it happens. And if it doesn't, that's also okay.

Approaching my workouts this way has been extremely liberating and empowered me to treat my body with more love, kindness, and appreciation.

It became less about the external factors (such as looking good or being better than others), and more about an internal journey of growth. I started to make significant progress in my quality of movement and strength once I stopped worrying about what I couldn't do, and worked with how my body felt on a day-by-day basis instead.

Joey and the studio plants.

6. What are 1-2 myths about pilates that you know? What's the real reason?

#1 Pilates & Yoga are the same.

There is a common misconception that Pilates & Yoga are the same as they have similar looking exercises (e.g. Pilates Swan Prep vs Yoga Cobra Pose). However, there are many differences between how Pilates and Yoga classes are programmed and taught, as well as the equipment used in each discipline.

While Yoga is mat-based with the use of props such as the Yoga wheel & strap, Pilates can be done on both mat & equipment (e.g. Pilates Reformer, Pilates Chair, Cadillac, and Barrel). The goals of both workouts also differ; Yoga mainly focuses on improving the flexibility of the joints and body, whereas Pilates works on strengthening the core muscles to reduce muscle imbalances.

#2 Pilates is only for women.

Pilates classes are mostly attended by women, but it's also suitable for men! As men tend to use physical strength & momentum to perform movements, they are usually stronger in bigger muscle groups (e.g. quads, biceps, triceps) and weaker in smaller muscle groups, which are the target of Pilates exercises. 

Pilates would also make a perfect recovery workout for men to regain good functional mobility, as those who do more strengthening exercises are more prone to compensate with lower flexibility.

Side stretches

7. Is it easy or difficult?

Due to its simple-looking and slower-paced approach to exercises, people often mistook Pilates as an easy workout. Pilates may look easy, but its difficulty lies in having a full mind-body focus to maintain the 5 basic Pilates principles (described in Q1) in every exercise.

As your strength & stability grows over time, you can begin exploring varying difficulty levels that continue to challenge you safely! 

Charlie's portrait with a studio plant. Snipped from The Pilates MVMT Instagram.

8. Who are your inspirations in Pilates? 

Singapore - Sharon Brendia, Erlinda Galila

International - Anula Maiberg, Niki Carr, Leslie Logan, Grace Hurry, Agi Falenta (a lot more, but these are my top few!)

8A - What led you to do Pilates?

I used to dance competitively in University, and our training sessions were usually long and intensive.

It was very much about pushing past the fatigue, and without proper guidance on cooldown & warm-up, I eventually developed knee, back & neck soreness which affected my sleep. It also made it difficult to sit through lectures - I had to excuse myself every 15 mins to release the pressure on my back.

However, injuries were common and seen as just part of a dancer's life, so we pushed past the pain for the love of dance. 

In my 3rd year of university, I took up an internship opportunity to be a Pilates trainee instructor. Prior to this, I had no clue what Pilates was, but it seemed like the most interesting job to me out of a list we were given.

My first Pilates class was on the Pilates Reformer, at the studio I was interning at. I felt so energized, aligned & lengthened after the class! I knew immediately that this was something I could do for a long time without fear of injury. We were required to attend classes daily as part of our training, and I noticed my back, neck & knee aches start to subside - and so did my insomnia. 

I wanted to help people the way Pilates had helped me and decided to dedicate my whole career to helping others get stronger, sleep better, and be able to lead a pain-free life.

9. If you were to recommend a Pilates workout to those who want to try, who would you recommend them to? or where?

I would welcome anyone who wants to try Pilates with open arms at The Pilates Mvmt of course! :D

Some studio photos:

A regular set-up for a Mat Pilates Class.

The Pilates Reformer

An exercise block and ring on a mat used during class.

Foam rollers good for massaging knots and tight muscles before, during, or after class.

My bag hanging from the shelf.

Hydration is important. 

My favorite quote and spot at the studio.

Calming music is played in the background while we wait for class to start and throughout the entire experience.

View from the studio. Love the trees and plants!

10. What's a takeaway that can you share with others?

Cultivate the habit of talking to your body and about your body with kindness & patience.

Most women have been hardwired to be critical of our own bodies due to the pressure of meeting often unrealistic societal standards, but remember that your body listens to everything you say. Practicing this will not only increase feelings of self-love and self-confidence but also opens up a safe space for yourself to heal/progress at your own comfortable pace!

An after class photo with Joey.

More photos and fun experiences after a typical Pilates class at the studio:

Cuddles with Sunshine the Golden Retriever

So many cuddly friends!

Hi there!

I'm glad and thankful to have come across The Pilates MVMT and Joey. I feel that way because now, I have a new sense of appreciation for movement and mindfulness. I am able to appreciate working out more. And finally, I have experienced myself that working out isn't always about achieving that perfect shape of the body, but it's also about treating our body and ourselves with kindness and care! 

That's it for now! 

You can check out The Pilates MVMT here.

Love,

Mary Jedde