Why should I pick up the box? The importance of being independent in your Pilates practice

By Daniela Escobar

I can never forget the day when one of my long-term clients asked me why she should pick up the box during the short box series instead of me picking up the box for her. As a Pilates instructor, I understand that the movements we do in the studio can be translated into our everyday lives. However, it can be difficult for someone who was never taught that to recognize it.

Let me take you back in time to Joseph Pilates’ studio in New York City when he was still alive. It was an open gym, similar to my mentor Jay Grimes and John Steel's description in his book called "Caged Lion." When you went for your first lesson, Joseph Pilates or Clara Pilates would teach you a few exercises on the reformer and maybe the Mat. After a couple of lessons, you would be on your own. Of course, there were pictures on the wall with the exercises, and they would be there to correct and assist everyone as needed. As soon as the client was ready to progress, they would add a couple of new exercises, but that was it. There were no notes. It was just you, the reformer, and your routine. This means that the clients were independent since day one, and they had to be focused enough on their own bodies to know what to do.

Clients were taught to be responsible for their own workout and safety in the studio from the very first day. The instructor acted as a facilitator or guide, monitoring clients for better alignment, effective pace in the workout, and hands-on adjustments, among other things. However, being independent goes beyond just knowing the order of exercises.

"There's a point where you become Pilates and Pilates becomes you” is one of the many valuable insights shared by Jay Grimes in his workshops. This means that the way you perform Pilates exercises in the studio will translate into how you perform similar tasks outside the studio, like picking up a bag of groceries. Additionally, Pilates requires a lot of problem-solving - such as figuring out how to sit on the short box, pick up the strap, and tuck one foot after the other. These skills may come naturally when we are young, but as we get older, they become harder. Even simple things like setting up the extension straps to do frogs and circles can teach us a great deal of fine motor skills. In summary, if your Pilates instructor is not doing everything for you, you can take the skills you learn in Pilates and apply them to your life outside the studio.

Being independent teaches you to be self-sufficient and recognize when your body is performing certain movements such as going up stairs, which is similar to “Going up front" on the Wunda/High Chair. Similarly, when sitting up, you can use your center just like you do during Rolling Like a Ball or the Roll Up. Remembering what you do in the studio can help you make good choices outside the studio, and therefore prevent injuries.

Pilates goes beyond the studio, promoting self-awareness and autonomy. By applying Pilates principles of problem-solving, body awareness, and self-sufficiency, daily challenges become easier. We develop a deeper connection with our bodies, leading to better well-being and lower injury risk. Let's take these lessons and move with intention and confidence in every aspect of our lives.