When walking outside after today’s lesson, I felt so great. My body was feeling as ‘’one’’, it felt complete. My walking improved comparing to when I walked in. Pilates did it again!Making the muscles longer!

I am trying to make my muscles longer and stronger, so that my way of walking will improve. To make my muscles longer, it is important for me to repeat exercises. Endlessly. Sometimes an exercise I have already done before simply does not work. I do the Hundreds with my legs in a 45 degree corner, but sometimes I am also stretching my legs. This does not work every time. Marjolein really is the best in knowing when to stretch and when not to stretch. She knows when the best way is to work the normal (old) way and when to challenge me.

I also like to train my back muscles. I had a really hollow back before starting Pilates, but this has improved a lot ! The Roll Back is a good example. In the beginning, even sitting up straight was difficult and now I am rolling back pretty far already ! Another very special exercise for me is the Swimming, my back muscles really feel LONG after doing this exercise. It makes me feel like a supermodel but I am only 1.60 mtr high !

Miranda van der Ark