of who I am today, was handed to me on a platter this morning when I hied myself to the park and took, in one of its event buildings, a Pilates class that “anyone can do”. Not.

Oh boy, I said when I read the notice in the local shopper that a Pilates class was starting up within walking distance, once a week, 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. So this morning I pulled on my ancient tights, jeans over, a leotard, and drove down because I was getting a late start.

Even so, the class had started, and the desk clerk said I could join in right away and fill in the form after, so I did. One thing I notice about these kinds of classes, whether it is Pilates, or another kind of workout, they believe in many repetitions and they don’t tell you how many, and they add on and add on as you go. I could have done the whole class if I had done 10 repetitions of everything, instead of the 25 to 30 the instructor felt obligated to tack on.

I had no trouble with the stretches, but I am not really strong anymore so supporting myself with my arms creates shoulder pain. In any case, I had a systemic reaction, got nauseated, and developed a cold sweat and stopped ½ hour into the routines. And just lying on the mat didn’t help. I was really sick. I drove home and ate something, which helped, and got into bed, but didn’t feel well for another two hours.

I left without meeting anyone, and I will go back next week, hoping to get there a bit early so I can meet people. And I will pace myself. I will discuss this with the instructor, an attractive 50 something woman in great shape. The other participants did reasonably well, even those who looked out of shape. She also teaches a Yoga class right after the Pilates, and I might choose to do that one instead; also it’s later in the morning which suits me better.

I did tell the desk clerk that sometime around 1962-3, Inese and I were interested in what we were hearing about the Pilates routine. Ballanchine was sending his New York City Ballet dancers to him to strengthen them and improve their flexibility. Inese had been recruited for the NYCB, but dropped out because she had “the look” -- classic body, perfect, turn-out, slight hyperextension -- but did not have the speed. We were intrigued, so we went to his studio in midtown Manhattan and spoke with him personally. He was stocky, about 5 ft. 7 inches tall, and was well toned and somewhere in his mid to late 60s.

After I wrote that, I looked up his Wiki bio and I learned that Joseph Pilates died in 1967 at the age of 83 in New York. So that means that when we met him, he was about 79 or 80.

We didn’t go back because the classes were too expensive for us  I don’t remember now what the charges were, but I do remember it was too much for our budgets. I had no idea at the time that his work would achieve the prominence it enjoys today.

The desk clerk was impressed.

xx Teal