I felt like a little kid in a candy shop with so much excitement after booking these two sessions on the same day with two notable 2ndGenMasters in two different time zones.
My body and mind know the repertoire, yet it’s the subtle nuances of each Master professor that makes the difference. As a result of the instant access to so many Pilates teachers across the globe, in a way, it feels like I have entered a graduate school program in Pilates, with a seat at the front of the room. This particular day exaggerated that feeling immensely.
Brooke Silar is in the UK and Saul Choza is in CA. I booked a 12N session with Brooke on the Reformer and an afternoon session with Saul on the Wunda Chair. It was pure, unadulterated joy with other teachers around the world.
Genius of ‘Reverse Engineering’
Why go forward when you could do it backwards?
Yes she did! She flipped the script and kept it flowing. Classical teachers all know the order of reformer workout, along with the sweetest variations. The brilliance of doing the workout in reverse was the magic of this hour with Brooke.
It forced us all to stop, think and not go “into automatic pilot” mode.
It forced us to slow down, engage and listen to her – except when Zoom screwed up the occasional transmission. For example, we were on two springs, coming out of Long Back Stretch, going into Stomach massage, I immediately started in c- curve and she must have looked at me at that second and caught me – in the front row – and directed “no, it’s twist and reach.”
Overhead, of course, at the end feels so much better. I don’t think anyone likes it where Joe placed it in the order. #justsayin’
Much has been said about Brooke, by so many already. She is an icon in the industry. While there may have been 30+ teachers in the “virtual room” and she recognized names and faces of many of them as either former students or colleages, it was my first interaction with her. As long as she will continue offering virtual sessions, I will continue to jump right in; her vibrant spirit speaks while she teaches. Anyone would feel completely at home and at ease. She is an absolute joy.
May 22 2020
Afternoon Wunda with Saul Choza
I thoroughly loved every minute of the small-sized Wunda class with Saul. An intimate class group of about 4-5 teachers. He taught, and participated; got up close to the camera to peer into the room of each student and praise, correct and adjust. I could hear his voice louder and almost feel his breath telling me to “drop those heels, Gina.”
Yes, my thoracic curve needs a lot more work, he zoned in immediately to that stuck spot; his cue for “downward and internally rotating” the shoulder/arms for more thoracic serratus engagement was spot on. It is my own admonition to my students, “release and drop your shoulders” but with a lot more depth and anatomical alignment.
“Heels down Powerhouse Up”
One of the highlight movements I appreciated feeling was #Corkscrew inside the frame, which I wouldn’t have understood had I not recently read (devoured is more like it) Christina Gadar’s book. Once inside the frame, a #BalanceControl split stretch is absolutely divine.
The second movement he cued was what I think of as a “dancer sequence” at the top of the chair during #GoingUpFront. Since I am a non-dancer, I think it’s why Brett never includes it in any of my sessions with him (it’s foreign … what the heck is passe anyway?) So I worked the balance aspect with the leg circles and will know better the next time.
Needless to say, I am loving this Graduate-Level-Front-Row seat with these #2ndGenMasters. Planning on taking full advantage of every opportunity. I think we all should.
