I guess you have noticed, we usually like to have an article about a person in the Pilates community in each edition. Today is no different. Want to introduce you to a sensitive and dedicated fellow who joined Pilates Intel a few weeks back, an Osteopath based in London, Jon Watkins. Jon wrote this article himself, saving us the effort of doing so. Which is good, because lately I have a full on war with the hair growing in my ears, and all of my time goes to plucking and trimming it. But enough of my ear hair, I will write an article about it for a future edition. For now, let’s get to know Jon.
I read Jehane Lindley”s article “Coming of Age” with great interest. I have been teaching Pilates for six years now and still very much regard myself as a newbie, especially after meeting inspirational instructors such as Amy Taylor Alpers this year.
I was first drawn to Pilates in the final year of my osteopathy degree. My dissertation had made me aware this was a popular referral form of exercise amongst osteopaths and I felt that safe and effective exercise was a large gap in my knowledge. Another osteopath friend had begun training with Polestar Pilates and invited me to their studio so he could practice the repertoire. I was immediately hooked and loved how the studio equipment made what appeared to be some very simple movements very demanding if you did not cheat and how it highlighted exactly where my body was not producing quality movement.
I started my Pilates journey by gaining a Studio Equipment Rehabilitation certification with Polestar and have never looked back. Since then I have been involved with several different styles of Pilates:
- A more clinical and modified approach where I lectured Physiotherapists on modified Pilates, specifically looking at using Pilates as part of the treatment of common musculoskeletal disorders.
- Body sculpting combining more traditional exercise with circuit training principles.
- Recently my never ending search for improving my teaching has lead me to studying classical Pilates with second generation Pilates instructors.
All of these different styles have had an influence on me. My teaching style is constantly evolving and with time and experience I am still finding the me in amongst all those influences.
Like Jehane I am a calming influence who is great for stressed clients but who is also not afraid to kick some butt when it is required! After all Pilates is supposed to change your body and you do need to put in the work required, it’s just a different kind of work from what many people are used to from their exercise. The observational skills learned as an osteopath also transfer very nicely to Pilates and one of the positive comments I often hear about is about my attention to detail.
I can hand on heart state that I love my job. It is a privilege to work in a field where there are so many passionate individuals. We might not always agree on each other’s methods but at the end of the day we are trying to help our clients to return to health through movement, which is so rewarding and exciting when they make their breakthroughs.
Learn more about Jon at www.freerangepilates.com