Last month I went into a music shop to buy my husband, Mike, a guitar for Father’s Day.

I walked in and told the assistant straight away that I didn’t know anything about guitars, I just wanted something nice for him to get back into it as a beginner.

He started asking me questions anyway: what tonewood did I want, was I looking for a dreadnought or a parlor body, did it need a solid top or laminate. I had no idea what any of that meant, and even though I’d already said I was a beginner, I left feeling a bit silly, like I’d wasted his time by not knowing the right words.

I actually walked out without buying anything. I was so overwhelmed by the choice, I didn’t know what was right. I nearly gave up on the idea altogether and got him a shirt instead, something familiar and safe.

A different shop, a different experience

Gathering some courage, I tried another shop. I started the conversation the same way, “I don’t know anything about guitars,” and this time I was shown two clear choices.

Having just two options made the whole thing enjoyable. The assistant even played what each one sounded like, and explained everything in simple, easy to understand language.

I happily bought one, and Mike’s been enjoying it ever since.

What it taught me

I’ve thought about that moment a lot, because it taught me something. The environment made all the difference, not my knowledge, not my confidence, just whether the person guiding me made the choice feel simple or made it feel like a test.

Nobody likes to feel out of their depth, or lost in too much choice.

It’s the same on the mat

It’s the same with Pilates.

Nobody walks in the door needing to already know the language of Pilates. You don’t need to know what a neutral pelvis is, or what “scoop” means, or any of it, to belong in that room. Showing up is the hard part, and it’s the part that actually matters.

That’s the whole idea behind how I teach: no jargon, no assumptions, just step by step, at whatever pace you need.

If that sounds like the kind of place you’ve been looking for, My Pilates Time is built exactly around it.

New members get instant access to the 21-Day Strong & Steady Start, a simple step-by-step plan to go from stiff and unsure to confident, moving through your days with a bit more ease, out in the garden, or keeping up with the grandkids.

Twenty-one days free, then $29 a month, cancel anytime.

With care,

Beth