Broadening my horizons...

One city, three days - three (very different) movement experiences

I already had a seed of an idea. A quiet and persistent little voice encouraging me to get out of the safety of my own little Pilates bubble and see what else is going on 'out there'. I had quietly played with the idea of trying to incorporate some exploration into my career somehow.

When my partner Dan suggested I could tag along with him to Europe's largest conference on psychedelic consciousness, in Exeter I thought it might be my opportunity to dip a tentative toe into the world of networking, vlogging and exploration.

I got to Google, did some research and reached out to three different people / places to arrange a visit:

1. Georgia Vaines - a Pilates teacher specialising in BASI methodology and working in a private 1:1 capacity in her own studio

2. Sisi from Mind for Motion - a specialist in gyrotonics, working privately in her home set-up.

3. Studio Pilates - a group reformer studio franchise born out of Brisbane, Australia.

I had made contact with each of the three studios to explain my little mission, check i can (cringe!) do my vlogging and arrange a time slot for my appointment. I was ready!

Dan & I packed ourselves up in his camper van and headed West to Exeter. My appoitments were'nt spread out evenly, meaning I have a very busy Thursday, with two ppointents and a ton of city-walking! Luckily the weather held out on day one as I stomped around the city, before the rain came in.

1. 'Hanging Out' (literally!) with Georgia Vaines

Sarah trying a back extension on the Cadillac in Georgia's studio

I set-up my camera (okay iphone 16) on my stand in the corner of the bright naturally-lit space and nervously tip-toes toward the large metal frame dominating one half of the space. Georgia guided me through some spinal-warm ups in the form of some different roll-downs on the chair 'your back moves really nicely' she encouraged me as she watched haw-eyes to my body and the way I was executing these initial exercises. Phew!

footwork on the cadillac

As a Pilates teacher myself I was interested in 'checking in' with my technique. We all get into our comfort zones, programming and teaching the movements in the style that we are most drawn to - how would I fare being taught and challenged?! Can I really do this Pilates thing??

Turns out, yes - not bad actually Sar...

The outcome of my session was exactly what I needed - a general sense of reassurance about my movement and abilities. Georgia had a brilliant balance of authoritative energy and trust-worthy technique-correcting - balanced by warm and encouraging feedback - even whipping out her own camera at one point during 'the saw' because 'you do that so well'. Phew!

It was my first tentative step into a longer, bigger project reaching out to meet other Pilates teachers, and to deep-dive into Pilates as a phenomena, industry, profession and global movement... My tech was basic, my interview techniques lacking - but I was doing my first 'teacher talk' and Georgia's openness, acceptance and encouragement was so very welcome as I embark on this next stage in my Pilates journey, and I remain very grateful to her for her time and help with my first vlog.

Check out the vlog for more on this visit:

1. 
   

   sarah's vlog about visiting Georgia Vaines in Exeter

   
   

   
   

2. Trying something new: spiral medicine