What the mind can conceive, the body can achieve

That’s how Ole Eugenio paraphrases Napoleon Hill’s words ("What the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve").
To the who that the above demands. Ole Eugenio is a STOTT PILATES Instructor Trainer who is based in Singapore, where he has his own Pilates Studio called Options. (I like that name; it goes ahead to state what should be, but very often isn’t, obvious to people – you got options, go ahead and take them!)

We had Ole with us for two weeks this month to teach the Intensive Mat Plus (IMP) and Intensive Reformer (IR) STOTT PILATES courses that we were hosting at The Zone. This being the first of it’s kind in India we were very excited about this program that will lead to the first batch of STOTT PILATES Instructors in India.

Being the pioneers in anything always has its challenges along with, of course, the great sense of exhilaration and excitement for all that is to come. For instance, though Pilates as a form of exercise is gaining recognition and popularity in India there is still a great lack of knowledge on what it really is. This has allowed a number of individuals to step in as authorities on the subject, regardless of their knowledge and credentials. One can even find classes being conducted where yoga and pilates is being offered as one and the same (I know of a place that refers to pilates as western yoga!)

I am constantly amazed at all those (unfortunately too many) individuals who having exercised for a period of time actually begin to believe they know all there is to know about fitness and exercise. This mistaken self-belief often leads them onto taking up the mantle of fitness instructors and personal trainers!
Please……
Fitness, I believe, involves a scientific approach along with a certain amount of knowledge of the human body and physiology. Months or even years of exercising may give one a keen sense of body awareness of themselves, but that does not translate into knowledge of the subject that can be used (experimented) on others professionally.

Pilates is an amazing form of exercise. And I don’t say that lightly, as my fitness routine over the years has included gym workouts, group exercise, yoga, tai chi and of course pilates. It’s a very precise method that requires a great deal of focus and control to be able to perform the exercises. They often look so graceful in their flow and form; only when one attempts the exercise do you realize the control and core strength required to do them and make it look that good!

Which brings me to something I said earlier about the importance of being adequately qualified, in the field of exercise and fitness, to actually be able to work with others. The STOTT PILATES courses in that respect are very extensive; with their contemporary approach they provide an amazing foundation leading to an in-depth understanding and knowledge of pilates. To further build and strengthen this foundation, the intensive course is followed up by many hours of practice, physical review and observation before you can take your exams. The end result (provided of course that one puts in the required amount of hard work with diligence) is that you emerge with the confidence of one who has the knowledge of, as STOTT PILATES Programs are often referred to, an ‘Ivy League’ pilates program.

Looking at this intensive program being taught by Ole, with his years of pilates experience backed by his amazing and approachable teaching methods, makes me wonder about the pilates certification programs that are available, in the form of single weekend workshops or even on-line courses, that people do; get ‘certified’; and then go ahead to teach others. Must be some exceptionally accomplished teaching and great aptitude on the part of those individuals that allows them to, so easily, learn and understand pilates to the extent that they can teach it safely and effectively!?