5 Pilates Phrases I Hate (and so should you)

Here goes: 

1.  "CORE STRENGTH
The word core moved from being an identifier for a set of values, beliefs and home of apple seeds to one of sculpty, tone-y, functional-ish spot-training-movement-programming.  It's now part of the fitness zeitgeist and is almost necessary when describing integrated programming to the public because of it.  But I still don't like it.  

My problem is that the word "core" is static. People who want core strength usually have been told they need it by a medical professional or want the aesthetics that are consistent with the definition of fitness.  But these "motivators" don't accurately reflect the core of who we are and how that influences our movement strategies that we use to make life moves.  We're so much more dynamic than a crunch or a plank.  Our centers are homes for so much more than *just* abs. 

2.  "LOWER BACK"

In my 20+ years of teaching movement - globally, in fact - I have NEVER, in my life, heard a person say anything positive about their lower back.  The only exception is when I've helped someone's lower back feel better, (damn, I used it) but that started from a negative expression about how their lower back felt when coming into the session.  

I am not minimizing that people experience LBP in huge amounts.  I'm one of them. But what I've learned is that there are a good amount of instances where the person has been guided to focus SO much on their lower back out of fear of pain or injury that they aren't able to zoom out to investigate what else might be contributing to the issue and/or how we can help. 

As a movement teacher, I know it's my job to remind my clients - virtual & in person - of what's possible.  When I'm successful, the absence of pain is well...nothing.  We're not super aware of something that doesn't exist anymore, we just know that we feel better.  

So, while I think it's important to know about the area where pain is occurring, you'll rarely hear me use the phrase lower back in my classes.  Instead, I talk about the waist, bottom of the ribs, top of the sacrum, dimples on the back, belt line etc.  Novel language can help to create new conversations that sometimes help to flip the script towards possibility. 

3.  "GOOD/GOOD JOB"

Ok - I'm working on this one, too.  As a "good girl" in recovery, I recognize how the affirmation "Good!" can create some performative expectations. 

I say the thing to do.
Client does the thing.
Thing is done well.
I say good. The end.

Do you see the issue? I'm holding all of the power, which is not a great system in building confidence or autonomy.  

While I do think positive reinforcement is a necessary part of a training paradigm, the shift I'm making is towards "Yes, and" as my affirmative language.  It sounds a little more like this: 

I say let's try X. 
Client tries X.
I say "Yes! What were you thinking about when you did that?"
Client, unaware that there would be a pop quiz, needs to do it again before giving me an answer. 
​I say Yes! I love your approach to that one!"

I'm guiding & affirming, guiding & affirming.  This really works in helping people create their own strategies. And when a person owns their movement strategies, they are relatively unstoppable. 😊  

4.  "ZIP UP YOUR SKINNY JEANS"

*Clears Throat........Ahem.... Fuck that shit.

Moving on. 

5.  "BELLY TO SPINE"

See #4 and also consider that there are a lotta things between your abdominal wall and the bones of your back.  It's a near-to-impossible thing the make happen and while we all understand what that phrase is after, (cough - thinness) I don't always think we know why we're after sucking in the stomach. 

OH and don't give me that antiquated stuff about the Transverse abdominus.  The suck is only one part of the equation.  Some do need activation, but mostly we need dynamic movement of the trunk without the expectation of being skinny while we do it. 

I like to approach this one with metaphors for length: 

"Stretch your torso as if it were elastic from top to bottom (stretch armstrong/elastagirl image.)" 

"Create space to feel your breath move the front, side and back of your body."

"Imagine you were hanging from the monkey bars and feel your center lengthen with gravity."

None of these five phrases serve your teaching.  You're so much more dynamic that these.  Stop using them.

Instead, use novel language that makes sense to your client and offers a picture of what you want them to experience, rather than what the book says.  Trust yourself. 

Develop a language of teaching that is special and passionate to you and of course, keep it simple ;). 

Much Love Jenna

P.S. Here's the thing.  I know that it's easy for me to write all of this down and walk away, but there is work that will need to be done to make a shift. 

Good news: The shift can happen quickly, efficiently and with my help.  And while it might be uncomfortable, it will not contribute to lower back pain 😝 . 

Of course, I'm biased.  I know that my participants leave programs with stronger teaching skills and a better understanding about where their teaching is headed. But that's my goal - to help YOUR pathway.  

So if you're ready to dive in to doing things differently, this is your chance. Week One content of the Pilates Comprehensive Clinic drops tomorrow & now's your chance to join our first cohort.  Click the link to get in on the evolution. 

xx