As a Pilates and Yoga Instructor you know that some of your clients get frustrated with their progress.

Whether it’s a simple stretch or a flowing series of moves that they can’t seem to remember.

You gently guide them each class, giving them simple adjustments and nurturing reminders that “one day they will get there”.

But even as you say this to them, you can feel their impatience and at times, anger at not progressing faster.

Some of them show it outwardly by grimacing, sighing deeply or telling you that they “don’t get it”.

And others internalize their frustration, preferring to keep their struggles private.

So what can you do to soften their focus?

How can you take them from a place of turmoil into a place of calmness, so they too can experience the joys of moving their mind and body as one?

One way to help them step out of frustration and into calm is to take a different path – to teach them to “let go”.

The letting go process isn’t just a physical one – of releasing the clenched muscles.

It’s about releasing the mind – of stopping the “I have to do this now…I have to touch my heels to the mat…I need to push through this…”

The striving and relentless pushing they’re experiencing in their mind is massive – and the tension you’re feeling from this is just a fraction of what they’re feeling inside.

So instead of feeling stressed that your clients aren’t responding to your teaching cues and progressing, help them stop over-thinking.

Sit them back on their heels, forehead to the mat and arms outstretched.

Support their forehead with a pillow or towel and allow them to get grounded and quiet.

Where could you take yourself and your clients if you stopping the relentless striving and “have to do this now, or else…”

What possibilities and paths might open up with this new path – of getting grounded, peaceful and calm…without effort?

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