Life coaching lessons from Pilates, the Enneagram, and faith

So…I have a new hobby. Somewhere in the middle of recovering from foot surgery last year and my desire to become more mobile and comfortable in my body, I decided I needed to get my body moving more. For some reason, I was drawn to Pilates and a semi-obsession was born. To be honest, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I also procrastinated getting started.

This all changed when I signed up for a new networking group for my business. Lindsey from Grow Strong Pilates and I became members of the same networking group at the same time. The more I ran into her at luncheons and orientations, the more I felt God pulling me to give Pilates a try.

Trying something new

The reality is that most of us aren’t really good at trying something new. Whether it’s overthinking what comes next or not giving ourselves permission to be beginners, we can sometimes put pressure on ourselves to learn it and do it like a pro.

Recently, I attended the International Enneagram Association conference and took part in a breakout session on the 9 types of rest. The workshop wasn’t my first choice, but I have to say it was God’s choice. I sat down and our presenter proceeded to explain that “rest” looks different depending on your personality or Enneagram type. For my type, the Enneagram type 3, it can be helpful to try something new that you won’t be good at. I’m not gonna lie. That sounds like the least restful thing for this Enneagram type 3…but as I turned to my friend to share our action steps, I found myself declaring I would try Pilates.

Remembering Your Why

After a few days, I signed up for my first class. I didn’t know what to expect so I took to the internet (Instagram) and started watching videos. If you have any inkling that watching videos of people who do Pilates all the time would be comforting, then we should think again.

I showed up for the first class a little anxious and not very flexible. All was going well, until our instructor started handing me objects so I could modify the movements (to make it easier). Did I mention I don’t really like learning curves? I hate the training part of new jobs. I just like to be accomplished from day 1.

After feeling mortified by everyone knowing I was modifying, I got back to my car and proceeded to life coach myself. I give myself permission to be a beginner. Modifying is helping me learn. Yada, yada, yada.

Six classes in and we’re still modifying and I still have a knee-jerk reaction to be mortified. But here’s what I’m learning. It’s important to remember your why. I didn’t start Pilates to be the best in the class. I didn’t start Pilates to impress the ladies I take class with. I started taking Pilates for me and my health.

I wonder if this mindset shift wouldn’t help all of us. With working on self-care. WIth connecting at church. With how we show up at work. With how we invest in our most important relationships.

Remember Your Why…

Consistency is Key

No matter what you’re attempting to accomplish, consistency is key. Whether you’re goal is self-care or health related, investing in new friendships, or just getting better at your work — showing up (even when you don’t feel like it) helps! The more we practice. The more we repeat our patterns. The more we are present, the better we become.

That first Pilates class where I life coached myself on my drive home? I could have chose not to come back. To stay home, and not return. But getting better at all the things of life goes through showing up again. And again. And again.

We’re still modifying at Pilates. I don’t like it any better than I did during the 1st class. I want to do what the rest of the class is doing and if you need to know, my default thought is how can I be the best. But the good stuff? The stuff where it’s changing my body and the trajectory of my health? That’s found in showing up and modifying and remembering my why. Class after class. Time after time. Not giving up but showing up imperfectly.

I don’t know where this finds you, my friend. Maybe your thing isn’t Pilates. It may be that neighbor you’d like to befriend. Finding that new church. Or transitioning to that career you love. It takes starting something new. It takes remembering your why. It takes showing up even when you don’t feel like. In the end, that’s where the magic happens.