Hang on, this is gonna be a long one! Recently, I had the pleasure of taking a Tribeca stroll with a dear Real Pilates client.  She was torn.  She had been with her trainer for years and was feeling that itch to move on.  Obviously, she was concerned that she'd have to leave the studio to avoid any unpleasant awkwardness.  Couple that with the fact that she'd taken some experimental sessions with some other teachers on site and really enjoyed them, and you can see why she felt a walk and talk would be a good idea. So we did just that.  We walked and talked and here's a bit of what was shared.

Every student across all disciplines reaches a time where they plateau, stagnate or even outgrow their mentor.  If a teacher is doing their very best job, this is exactly what should happen.  It means you have exhausted the teacher's arsenal.  You are ready for the next leg of your training.  Graduating from one trainer to another is precisely what we expect to happen here at Real Pilates.  Some teachers will take you on a multi-year journey.  Others keep you for just a few months before passing the torch.  And somehow, this presents an often uncomfortable situation.  The fact of the matter is, it doesn't have to be uncomfortable.  Here's why:

First off, the feeling is usually mutual.  By the time you sense it may be time to move on, your teacher is feeling it too.  This gets muddied because personal training is so intimate.  If a trainer suggests you work with someone else, it can be misconstrued as rejection so it is usually the student who broaches the subject. Occasionally, a teacher will suggest you might add another set of eyes to your program which is a signal that you are ready for a fresh approach or a different strategic plan. 

Second, teachers often specialize with certain populations.  Some trainers work especially well with new clients.  Other trainers focus on the more advanced students.  Moving from one to the other as your training progresses, isn't just sensible, it's often required for you to advance your training. 

Finally, students and trainers really do share a common goal.  We are all working together to meet your fitness and wellness objectives.  There may be times when a trainer disagrees on how exactly to get you to that finish line, but they are always, always shooting for the finish line no matter what.  

Our client had a great outcome.  She's shifted to some new teachers who are a better fit for her at this particular time.  The instructor is so proud to see her move on to this next phase of her training.  And most of all there is a deep sense of gratitude.  Both from the client who is grateful to her trainer for having brought her so far and from the trainer who is thankful to have worked closely with her student right up until she was ready to graduate on to another place.

Bottom line? Change is hard.  And we often resist it.  But growth is a healthy type of change. Embrace rather than resist it remember that which ever path you travel, there ought to be many mentors to meet along the way and just as many to thank for the experience. 

~Alycea

The studio will be full of treats for moms (and people who love their mothers) this May.

May Massage Sale!

Use as a gift for Mom (or yourself!)

50 Minute Massage $80 (regularly $100) Buy here! 

80 Minute Massage $120 (regularly $145) Buy here! 

*Limit one per person. Must used between May 1st and June 30th.

Victoria Cooper, LMT will be on hand with free chair massage in the studio Thursday May 10th through Sunday May 13th.

Reflexologist Melody Rodriguez will be available for free mini-sessions on Monday 5/7 and Wednesday 5/9 from 11am to 1pm.