Student Interview: Mr. Ito (47 years old, male)

Hello everyone. I'm Mary, your trainer.

Today, I’m excited to share another student interview with you.

This time, we spoke with Mr. Ito, who first tried Pilates when our studio opened — and has been coming to class every week ever since!

When he started, he had a posture type known as “sway back.” This posture type usually takes time to improve, but Mr. Ito consistently practiced his homework, and over time his alignment became beautifully stable and balanced.

Let’s take a look at his inspiring progress ✨

Did you have any exercise habits before starting Pilates?

I attended a semi-personal bodyweight training and stretching class.

I also went running occasionally.

However, due to the impact of COVID-19, I had stopped exercising.

Please tell us when and what inspired you to start Pilates!

The COVID-19 situation had calmed down somewhat, and I was looking forward to getting some exercise again.

I knew that if I joined a regular gym, I’d probably stop going after a while, so I looked for a personal training studio near my home — and Pilates was something I’d always been curious about.

At that time, I found out that this studio had just opened and decided to take a trial lesson.

At the time, I didn't know much about Pilates, but I wanted to build muscle strength in a balanced way.

What changes have you noticed since starting Pilates?

The first change I noticed was my posture. I didn't realize it myself, but I think I was told during the trial lesson that I had a swayback. I don't remember when it started, but I noticed that my posture was gradually improving when I was standing in the kitchen or at the sink at home. I also feel like my muscles are getting stronger in a balanced way overall. My body fat percentage has also dropped significantly (although it wasn't that high to begin with).

What are your goals in Pilates lessons now? Is there anything you pay attention to in your daily life?

Rather than constantly paying attention to something, I suddenly notice things that are pointed out in lessons, like posture or raising my shoulders, in my daily life, so I pay attention to them from time to time. If I hadn't taken lessons, I wouldn't have noticed these things, so I think it's good that I've become able to notice them in my daily life.

After three years of continuing, I feel like I've become a little better at things I couldn't do when I first started, but at the same time, I feel like there are more and more things I feel I can't do, which makes me think it's a very deep subject. Before, when I looked at the teacher's example, I would think, "Maybe I can do it?", but now I don't feel like I can do it at all, so I think that in a way, I'm growing, and I think that this can also be a motivation.

Please tell us about any stories that made you feel glad that you were doing Pilates.

I am especially able to concentrate well during lessons, so I always feel refreshed and positive after the lesson is over.

It helps me to be more positive mentally, so I think it has a positive impact on my daily life and work.

You will also become more familiar with the names of muscles. There are many muscles with names I have never heard of, so it's difficult to remember them, but I think it will make you interested in how the body's skeleton works.

Do you have any personal tips or experiences related to Pilates you’d like to share?

Because it's a private lesson, you can have it tailored to your level, so I think you can continue without any stress. If you continue for even six months, you will see changes in your body, so

Once you get to that point, it becomes more fun, and it feels like the things you can do increase little by little, so I feel like I can continue to do it to a certain extent no matter how old I get.

What advice would you give to someone wanting to start Pilates?

If you are even slightly interested, it is best to at least try it out. I went to try it out with that same feeling, and have been doing it for three years now, and I hope to continue doing it in the future.

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MARY: Ms. Ito is now in his fourth year of Pilates and is able to perform most exercises with stable movement and breathing. He can maintain a neutral posture without strain even when standing naturally, and his posture almost never collapses. We are now incorporating advanced exercises into our program.

As they are able to do more, their sense of the body is also being refined, and even beginner exercises can be taken to a deeper level... I get the impression that they are enjoying the depth and fun of Pilates, which can be endlessly refined and explored.

He answered the interview questions very humbly, but he also spoke of the efforts he has been making to improve his flexibility, balance, control, concentration, understanding and practicing the principles, and many other areas.

I think it's wonderful that you are facing your own body so honestly.

Thank you for sharing this valuable experience with us!

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The progress varies depending on each individual's physical condition, and the effects appear and are felt differently by each person.

You may discover new perspectives through the experiences of others.

Also, please pay attention to your own body during the lesson.

I always teach with the hope that everyone will stay healthy in mind and body. The more I learn about Pilates, the deeper and more difficult it becomes, and the more fun I have in pursuing it.

I myself have noticed a positive change over the years.

I hope you continue to enjoy yourself, take care of yourself, and take care of your body.

Thank you for reading to the end!

MARY Private Combination

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