Finding Love for the Fundamentals

When we are learning something new, we are often so eager to get past the fundamentals and on to the next stage or accomplishment. I know that as a child, I thought the fundamentals were boring. I was a Scottish dancer from age four to nineteen, and we always had to practice our foot, arm, head positions, turn out, and basic steps. I wanted to do the choreography, not practice pointing my toes! It turns out that the head teacher knew what she was doing, because having strong form made the dance look great even if you missed a step, and knowing your positions and basics made it easier to learn a dance and more complex steps. Going back to the fundamentals of anything works much the same way, helping us to progress and go deeper with our knowledge. 

The Value of the Basics

I listened to a podcast recently that spoke about Kobe Bryant’s talent and practice. Even when he was one of the top basketball players in the world, he would warm up with the fundamentals. He knew the value of the basics and that having a super strong foundation made him a better player. The fundamental movements were literally second nature to him thanks to the time he would spend on them. 

Pilates is the same. When I was first learning Pilates, everything seemed like a new exercise and I didn’t connect the dots between each exercise. As I did my own teacher training, the instructor explained them, but I still only saw the obvious ones. It was a lot of information to take in when I was learning so much about Pilates. Over time and with practice, I’ve learned much more about how the exercises are connected, something that going back to those basics helps with. 

I taught my first teacher training program last year, and as I taught the course I became aware of how much time it took to teach the first ten or so mat exercises. As we went along, I was able to refer back to the fundamental exercises that we already had covered. From there, we’d add in complexity. For example, the hundred is essentially a mini-teaser. Then we do horseback on the reformer, which is also a teaser, but in a new position with gravity pulling us differently. 

Be a Beginner Again

I like to go back and refocus on the fundamentals of Pilates for myself, and will occasionally attend a beginner’s class or series. Why would someone who’s been doing Pilates for nearly twenty years want or need to do “beginner” pilates? When I go back to the fundamentals, I always learn something more about my body and how I move or hold myself when I work on those exercises.

Going back to the basics is also very different now, compared to when I was a true beginner. These days I have a deeper awareness of both Pilates and how my body moves, so the fundamentals are smoother and stronger. I even have the odd ah-ha moment that then helps me achieve movements I may have been struggling with. 

I’m actually having an ah-ha moment while I type this! I have called some of my Pilates series “Beginner Pilates”, but these classes are for everyone. They cover the fundamentals of Pilates so are the perfect place for beginners to start, but they are also a great way for more experienced Pilates lovers to review their practice. Look forward to seeing some more Pilates fundamentals from me soon!

Read More: How to Start Pilates as a Beginner

Until then, the fundamentals are a great thing to practice at home, whether you are a true beginner, advanced in your Pilates practice, or are an active person looking to keep moving well and reduce unwanted tightness and injuries. 

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