I was sad that a Wellness Center cancelled my demo class with them for their Wellness Day. A Wellness Center having a Wellness Day!?!? They called me last month, I happily agreed without asking for anything in return, then suddenly 2 days prior to the event, they called me to cancel.
They kept saying "We are still unfamiliar with Pilates..." and then "Only 1 person registered for your class so far. The others signed up in the yoga, ballroom, & taichi classes." I said, "Great! I'll be there!" They said, "Sorry Ma'am, we decided to cancel it so it won't be a waste of your time." I said, "Oh, I respect your decision, but one participant is still one living, breathing, willing human being. One participant is never a waste of time. There's always a first time. It starts with one person."
In the end, I said I feel soooooo sad that a Wellness Center won't even give Pilates a try and let themselves benefit from it. They apologized profusely to me and they said they would "look forward to having you maybe next year." Pilates belongs to the Wellness space, together with Yoga, Tai Chi, and other practices.
I was ready to volunteer my time, heart & soul for that Center which happens to be in my alma mater. I have been eager to share my knowledge with my school and show them that I, an alumna, have achieved much.
Pilates was introduced formally in the Philippines in the 1990s by Cecile Sicangco & Paolo Villarroel, among others, and I salute them. Yes it took 70 years for it to reach this country (with all the fantastic equipment shipped in!!!!), and look how much it is accepted, appreciated, and loved now here and the rest of the world. Some practitioners & instructors like myself, are possibly obsessed with it. We have celebrities, elite athletes, top executives, senior citizens, pregnant ladies, cancer survivors, and the list goes on.
I don't say that Pilates is the absolute end-all & be-all of Wellness, but it is definitely one of the best ways to stay well. Why refuse? It will save us from medical bills, injury, illness, anguish, & stress.
So there, I was saddened briefly. Here I am ready to help and spread goodwill, as best as possible. I can't believe that a Wellness Center would exclude Pilates from their programs. I guess some people are not yet ready, not open, or receptive to new things that are greatly advantageous. They have their own time.
Joseph Pilates was a revolutionary visionary in the 1920s. He'd probably be surprised himself if he heard this!
Let go and let God. Life goes on.
