In July I was asked to be a spokesperson for Jenny Craig after they had tapped into the Pilates for Men series we shot on Youtube last year. They invited me down to San Diego along with 7 other people to shoot their 2010 ten minute corporate video.  They were excited at the progress I had made, and I think especially excited at how quickly I was able to lose a significant amount of weight and keep it off. When I look at the first video of that series we shot last summer of 2009, I realize how far I’ve come.  I’m thrilled that people are watching this video series and calling their local Pilates studios and booking appointments.  Anything that gets the word out to the rest of the world that Pilates – both traditional and progressive – is genuinely good for the body, mind and soul is a fantastic word indeed.   We are still seeing some interesting growth in our studio with both men and women interested in combing a nutrition regiment with an 8-pack or 16-pack purchase of either privates or group classes.  They are trying to get the most bang for their buck and it makes perfect sense to do so.

Challenging the thinking of your clients…Since I’m so into cycling lately, I’ll use my new  mindset to share with you how the impossible can become a reality. I went from doing a three mile ride six months ago (and complained about a sore butt the whole time) to completing a 70 mile ride 10 weeks later.  I rode from the Los Angeles Zoo to the Long Beach Aquarium and then back to the zoo in an organized ride with about 1500 riders.  It was hard, I was hot, it challenged me, but I did it in 4:40 hours.  When I tell non-riders about that ride their mouth hits the floor.  70 miles? No way! That’s impossible.  Well, clearly it isn’t.  Now I’m ready to sign up for a century ride (100 miler), and signing up for next year’s AIDS Ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles (nearly 600 miles!).  It has opened the door to me thinking that I would love to ride my bike from the Pacific to the Atlantic ocean.  A mere 3,000 miles trip. I’m not saying I’m going to do it, I’m just saying I think I can do it someday, and I can see myself doing it.

My point is that until you actually embark on something, it’s hard to fathom the possibilities.  I rode from Studio City (the valley) to the beach last Sunday.  I never thought that was possible either.  It was a breeze. Got their in 55 minutes. I think the same translates to Pilates.  If our clients aren’t sure where they’re going, or where their destination is, then perhaps they try Pilates, get through their session(s) and think, “Eh, well I tried it. It was kind of cool” and that’s the end of it. BUT, if we really spend the time with new clients and create a ‘plan’ for each of them individually, rather than just introduce them to Pilates we can better understand where they want to be and where we can take them on their journey. I’ll leave you all with a great quote that you all know, “I must be right. Never an aspirin. Never injured a day in my life. The whole country, the whole world, should be doing my exercises. They’d be happier.” –Joseph Pilates

Until next time.

-Art