You made the contact, booked the session, maybe you bought a new paire of anti-grip socks, and you are now wondering what happens next.
Starting something new can feel uncertain, especially in a private setting and related to your body.
Here is what to expect from your first Private Pilates session with me.
Understanding your body, your needs, your goals
The first session is not a one-off, at least ideally. It is an important part of a process, the process of moving better and feeling more connected to your body. The starting point is a discussion about you and your lifestyle. I may ask you about what other sports you do, or that you have done in previous years, I may ask you to describe a typical weekday or weekend.
A history of injuries is very important, and how you feel in your body. It is always treated in confidentiality and this conversation should really give you a feeling about whether you will be able to trust the teacher in your journey.
We will finally talk about your goals. Do you have a very specific need? One client wanted to be able to do a great teaser by the end of the program. Do you want to improve a recovery from an injury? Or do you want to feel stronger, taller, generally better in your body? They are all very valid reasons to start.
The teacher will also assess your body and your movement. This is not about how good you look, but how you move: are there imbalances towards one side? How is your alignment and how does it change as you move? How well do you control your movements?
As a Pilates teacher, I can assess that the departure gate at airports becomes a very imteresting observation space – once you see movement patterns, you cannot unsee them!
Personalise the approach from the first session
Group classes can only function as a “one size fits all” format, regardless of how many adjustments the teacher is capable of doing.
In private sessions, the program is built, from the start, around YOU:
- How you move
- Your goals
- Your limitations
I will also typically introduce two equipments during the first session, in order to give you a better understanding of what to expect but without overwhelming you too much. More often than not, we will start on the mat, then move to equipments. Future sessions could focus on one piece of apparatus only, or could be a mix, but I find it useful to introduce a mix in the beginning so you as a client can have a glimpse of the complexity and many layers we can peel in 1:1 settings which would be difficult in group classes.
Focus on quality, not quantity
People are often surprised to see how few repetitions are needed in a Pilates class, especially in a private setting. This is because those sessions are not after a burn, although clients who look for it and would benefit from it can most definitely find it in 1:1. In any case, the focus is how you move, not how many times.
The focus is on precision of movement, control of muscles, breathing and alignment. You will sometimes be surprised to feel a muscle which you did not know exist, and this is the beauty of Pilates. It is not about the big dominant muscles, it is about all the muscles, and the A-Ha moments that come when we finally connect with a muscle, wake it up and learn to work with it.
You may do fewer exercises and repetitions in a prvate Pilates setting, but I can promise you will feel them much more deeply.
What you might feel after
After a first private Pilates session, it is common to feel:
- More connected to your body: many people notice muscles working in away they had not experienced before
- Gently worked but not exhausted: Clients often tell me they could feel their muscles the next day, “but in a nice way”. No risk of inflammation there, just waking up muscles and teaching them how to move together
- Better posture: You may feel taller, stronger, with less back pain for the next one or two days
Your first private Pilates session is the beginnning of a process, not a one-time workout. Consistency is key here, one session will make you feel different for the next few days. With consistent private sessions, you can experience less or no back and shoulder pain, improved posture, more efficient movements in daily life – generally more confidence in a stronger body.
If you are based in Frankfurt and are interested in Private 1:1 Pilates using all equipment and a BASI approach, you’re welcome to get in touch or book a session.
