Pilates and Peace
It’s time I pull this one out of the drafts. When I say that Washington MO “saved me” I wasn’t kidding BUT that wasn’t the only place that helped me when I needed it.
A few years ago I “parted ways” with a previous employer and a place that I genuinely loved being a part of. The circumstances were absolutely ridiculous as to why I was let go or parted ways or whatever the fuck makes you feel better by saying because there were none. No fights, scandal, secrets or issues just purely the fact that this person was threatened by my presence. Which ok I get it, I can be a lot, and I can be passionate when I speak, and I ask a shit ton of questions BUT I am loyal and a hard worker. So, I know for a fact that I was not the problem and for that I am grateful this person “let me go.” (seriously no hard feelings towards this person because they felt what they did was what needed to be done, and you can’t blame a person for that) Now let me say it was awful in the moment. I was PISSED and when I get mad, I cry because the alternative is way worse. I had to turn my phone off because I got flooded with hundreds of messages from clients. I took some time and let it sink in then BAM Covid hit. So, I had sooooo much free time. Then out of nowhere I got a message from a person who suggested I meet with her friend about a job. I did… and I will be forever grateful for that. Seriously FOREVER!!!!!
Pilates changed my life. Simple as that. I am not talking about just the practice of Pilates I am talking the people too. I met with the owner of a studio and immediately felt at ease and have been with her ever since. This studio came into my life when I needed it the most. It became my safe place when the world around me felt like chaos. The plants and the studio became “home". I would drive in from Washington MO 4x a week to the city for my “job” which doesn’t even feel like a job at all. The instructors became my peace, and the feel of the concrete floor and cork studio floor became familiar at a time when all I craved was stability. The owner of the studio has created a space for everyone and everyBODY. No competition, no judgement, no pushing yourself to the brink of injury… just peace and tranquility. Pilates itself is a life changer then mix that with amazing people, and you have yourself an amazing place to be. I could come here and just be. Nobody really knew what I was going through, and it didn’t matter because when I walked through those doors it all melted away. The clients became well clients..just that. At the old place I had to engulf the clients lives into mine and somehow lost myself in the process. Now let me say that I LOVED the clients at my old place and still talk to most of them today. They were literally what got me through the day. (I still have notes and gifts given to me when they dedicated a week to me that I will never forget) BUT this studio was different. I was not expected to know everything about everyone and could just be present. It was a healthy boundary I was not familiar with but quickly appreciated. Best.decision.ever.
Above all else I would say the best part is that the owner thanks me. Daily. Everytime I leave for the day. Every. Single. Time. I know that may not seem like much, but it is. Coming from a place I felt unappreciated to being seen gave me life. It is amazing what a Thank You can do for a person. No matter where life takes me, I will be forever grateful and appreciative for this place and its people. At a time when I needed stability this place gave me peace and safety and that is something I will never forget. So yea, Pilates changed my life… mind body and soul.
