Teachers - What Are We REALLY Telling Our Movers With Our Cues?

I'm sitting at the airport for the first time in over two years - woo hoo for travelling again!

In typical Alex fashion I arrived way to early.
I've had a good walk around - both outside and inside the airport, been that weirdo in the corner of the terminal doing some stretches and movement, and now want to get these nagging thoughts in my mind out to you.

I've been having a lot of discussions around woman-hood & femininity and the expectations we place on ourselves as women recently. I also just read an AWESOME monthly newsletter from Amy Bowe - you can check out her stuff here: https://www.instagram.com/amykatebowe/ - about loving our body for what it can DO, totally seperate from what it looks like.

Even if you don't identify as a woman I think that it's super important that you participate in discussions around this - so that you can understand, and support the women in your life.

As Pilates and movement teachers we have a direct impact on the women that join us in the studio.

Is the language we are using with them about their bodies EMPOWERING them? Or are we just another part of their day reminding them that they are never [insert any adjective used to describe women here] enough?

I have had to deeply examine the language I am using in the studio and reflect on the values I want to uphold in that space.

I work hard to no longer use cues like....
"Draw in..."
"Flatten..."
"Pull in & up"
"Narrow your waist"
"Aim to create a gap between your waist and the floor"

For me, these cues reinforce the notion that we should always be aiming to make our bodies smaller, skinnier, to take up less space.

This is a notion I am deeply opposed to.

These days you'll hear me saying things more along the lines of.....
"How far can you reach?"
"How much space can you take up?"
"Be as wide as you can..."
"How long and tall can you be?"
"Reach out to the far corners of the room..."

In my own small way trying to encourage the women in the room to TAKE UP SPACE.

How are you upholding your values in your teaching?