A Close Thing

Tonight was the last session of my beginners pilates class.  There were 6 but I only made it to 4 unfortunately - one week I was poorly and then the next week 2 buses failed to show up and I missed the class which led to me writing my first ever letter of complaint to the Brighton and Hove bus company whose timetable is merely a suggestion it turns out.

Anyway, I found the classes beneficial none the less although my brilliant intentions to practice each morning failed to manifest itself as well - now there's a thing eh? 

This evening was nearly very memorable because I spent most of it trying to contain a massive fart! We had to keep lying on our backs and raising our legs up to chest height which was tricky to maintain at the best of times, and I kept imagining how the class would react if I let rip - which very nearly brought about the event itself. It was very touch and go...

So it turned out to be an uneventful class in the end, but I thought I'd share it nonetheless.

Aaaaaand Stretch!

I went to my first pilates lesson last night and actually quite enjoyed it. I'd asked for vouchers for the Natural Health Centre for my birthday and had received £80 worth from my Mum and my Brother. I then used them to sign up to a 6 week beginners course because I'm starting to feel like one of those wooden collapsible toys!

I'm not massively sporty and I shrink away from any hippy-type things - I won't even go near herbal teas, and if I've got a cold I want cold hard drugs not some bloody echinacea.  Anyway, I knew my back wouldn't strengthen itself on its own, so after years of procrastinating, I finally bit the bullet and signed up for a course.

It wasn't actually too bad and, after a short while of having absolutely no idea what I was doing, and once I'd worked out if I was breathing from my ribs, chest or stomach and which bit of my pelvic floor I was supposed to be engaging on which breath, I think I got sort of got the hang of it.  It was only an hour but I felt some benefit and am happy I signed up.

Some people had done the course before so they immediately grabbed the top mats, the best bands and 2 spikey balls that you put under your arse to balance on; and they maintained a serene smug expression throughout the lesson. You could keep your socks on as well which I liked as I'm a bit funny about people's feet and I don't like being cold either. It was raining all evening so I didn't really want to leave the house, but I was glad I went afterwards.

What made me feel really pleased with myself is that this morning I got up and tried to replicate the moves on the front room floor. I figured that there was no point only doing it when I go each week, plus I'd find it easier each time if I'd practised in between lessons. I'm intending on doing the intermediate course with the remainder of my vouchers, so I should make an effort to keep up the daily practice really.

It's been good learning something new, especially something that I'd not normally have a go at. I've only signed up cos my back is weak, but I also don't want to go into my 40's like a creaky clapped-out old banger! Have any of your guys had a go at yoga or pilates or are you all a bit less exercise-shy?