An impromptu Teacher’s Meet Up organically turned into a “thing” that a bunch of us wholeheartedly agreed to continue doing together.
A few months ago, I walked into the Bob Liekens’ memorial gathering to a sea of faces and hugs that I hadn’t seen or touched in years. It filled me up. We were all filled. We were there for his remembrance, and while losing Bob was immensely sorrowful, the room was not. The room was filled with a camaraderie and spirit that was incredibly powerful.
As teachers, we are all doing our thing globally with all the tools and toys of technology; living on our phones and cameras and sharing thoughts, tips and ideas to a virtual audience of followers, students and colleagues. But, it is the touch, wink and groan of another live person next to me, on the equipment, that is the thing I realized I missed with many of the people in that room that night. Having access to that feeling is what I wanted to selfishly re-create in a workout session with some powerful teachers.
Tela Anderson, Real Pilates; Brett Howard, Pilates Haus; Nicole Alvarez, Pilates Addiction
As part of one of my “What If Musings,” I sent a text to a handful of friends that I thought were of like mind and heart, and asked if they would be interested in setting aside an hour to work, sweat, laugh and be led by a teacher we respected and loved; Brett Howard. Some of the group had never met each other in person; some of our connections were years in the making. All of the small, intimate group members knew the work would stick us to each other. We respect each other. We support each other. We get each other. And that was the sole purpose of creating this “thing to do together.” As it turns out, we all needed an hour or two to refill ourselves.
“You can’t do better than doing what you love with people that you love”
–Tela Anderson, Real Pilates
With my first Pilates teacher, Juliet Harvey, by my side, and my current teacher, Brett Howard, guiding us through the work in his studio, I will admit, I felt giddy with joy that it all fell so smoothly together. The others in the room were the teachers, friends and colleagues that inspire me by their work, their form and their fastidious approach to teaching Pilates. We are friends, teachers, instructors, confidants and lover’s of quality movement.
This was about supporting each other as part of a community of Pilates Teachers that love to move and flow.
Over drinks and lunch, we asked each other, what if we keep it going? In short order, a second date was selected and a few more names added to the list. We talked about rotating the teacher for the session and keep it flowing; bringing in more teachers and keeping the energy upbeat, positive and joyful.
“It was a ‘come together moment’ and the energy and positiveness afterwards was amazing.”
— Juan Estrada, Real Pilates & JFitTraining
Nicole Alvarez, who like Tela Anderson, traveled from Pennsylvania for the session, said, “The joy is in practicing and sharing what we all know with each other; having the opportunity to teach each other is an honor…all walk way with tools to add to our teaching skills…. it will also draw the monotony out of our own [private] practice.”
Brett was open and so giving of the work he was so graciously given by Romana. We all moaned, groaned and accepted each exercise as it was given.
— Nicole Alvarez, Pilates Addiction
Our collective energy, sweating, giggling and moaning together was truly the gift of the day we gave to each other. You cannot put a price on that connection. To keep the joy in the work and continue the process, we acknowledge, as Juan so sweetly states, “ ‘energy creates energy’ and anything not feeling good would need to be left at the door…one may only proceed through the door with a complete, upright and positive approach.”
We will be doing it again. As #PilatesFriendsUnited
The next session date is set for March 17 at 2pm. I am delighted it’s going to be a “thing” on Sunday(s) in Jersey City.
Gina Jackson, is a classically trained Pilates Teacher and has been teaching along the Gold Coast of Hudson and Bergen County, NJ for the past fifteen+ years.
Certified by Power Pilates of New York, Gina has trained with Master Teachers Bob Liekens, Susan Moran and Brett Howard; loved workshop training with Cary Regan and Blossom Leilani-Crawford and has particularly enjoyed listening to the personal stories as told by Pilates Elders, Kathy Grant and Lolita San Miguel.
An active teacher and blogger, Gina manages a private personal training business supporting a myriad of clients, teaching all to honor their health, strength and life with the principles of Pilates at its core.