Advice From An Elder

by: AndreaDow
Total views: 447
Word Count: 346

Sunday, June 1st

I had not heard very much about Pilates elder, Jay Grimes, so I was excited to see the recent article in PilatesStyle Magazine about this master teacher. Not many besides Jay Grimes can say that their first two Pilates teachers were Joe and Clara. With his expertise, Mr. Grimes has taught across the country going back and forth between Los Angeles and New York since the 1970's. He has a huge celebrity clientele, conducts workshops and masters classes around the world and also makes numerous television appearances, according to author Siri Galliano.

As reported by Galliano, Grimes happened on Joe Pilates after a ballet teacher recommended he go to Joe's studio to pick up a class. I love how Grimes described the original studio- it was small, crowded, smelled of sweat and the walls were lined with photos of Joe and his clients. "The atmosphere was definitely one of business. This was not a place for messing around". Grimes also talked about the fact that there was no complaining, "you shut up and did what you were told". Fashion was last on Joe's list and he expected his female clients to wear their hair up and no jewelry. Joe also expected clients to change their own springs and set up their own equipment from the first lesson. In Joe's mind, you were learning his method which meant you needed to understand how to use the equipment correctly.

When asked what the true Pilates experience is, Grimes responds: "a good session will massage your entire body from the inside out. Long term, you will reach a point- and this takes years- where you become Pilates and Pilates becomes you". I love this quote and think this is so important for people to understand. Pilates truly is a way of life and more than just a series of exercises performed on equipment. Your work just begins in the studio, it is the work we do outside of the studio that is truly our Pilates practice. Thank you Mr. Grimes for continuing Mr. Pilates work and traditions!

Rating: 5.00