Turns out Bob has been in my life for a really long time. He, along with Susan Moran were my initial introduction to NY Classical Pilates. I was proud to spend a few hours with both Bob Liekens and Brett Howard in review of “Challenges on the Cadillac.” Bob is a true, master teacher of teachers. Having been in the presence of a few true master teachers, one will appreciate and understand why I do not throw that title around lightly.
Bob was one of the teachers of my current teacher, Brett Howard, Director/Owner Pilates Haus and Principal Director, United States Pilates Association. Brett introduced Bob to the group this particular day with great pride. As it was to be Bob’s last workshop in the NY/NJ area before his permanent move to Italy where he will continue to teach, train and coach Pilates through his company, The Pilates Standard.
It is through the likes of Bob and Brett that I find myself enveloped and connected to a community of teachers who exhibit consummate integrity for the method and the lifestyle of Pilates. Everyone I know and respect as a teacher and lover of the Pilates, knows Bob Liekens. Most have trained with him. Many still do (or want to.) It’s just now, we will all need to do so in Italy!
Bob and Brett have an international name in Pilates Training, and a worldwide reputation as tough teachers; with a rather strict and commanding style that is crisp and clean in thought and delivery. Their style of instruction honors the integrity, precision, quality and history of teaching the Pilates Method, as Joseph Pilates created it and as Romana Kryzanowska instilled in all of her students.
A specific, rigorous and authentic movement discipline. A method of “massaging the spine in all directions,” building Strength, Stretch, Stability and Stamina.
Their toughness is what I think drew me to them as teachers to emulate. Some of my favorite exercises are the ones I learned from them after they explained these were “not originally intended for women.” Yeah!? Oh really? Bring it. Let’s do that one! For example, Swakate, Fencing and Bicep Curls (on the Reformer or with the Roll Back bar setup low on the trap table.)
The room was filled with 20+ teachers and Bob was actually quite entertaining in his delivery. From the time I met him more than 10+ years ago, he has always stated, Pilates is “not a performance.”
“It’s not a trophy-awarding discipline. It is a conscious practice. A disciplined approach to understanding and living in the body.”
Reading from notes in an old workshop notebook from the Summer of 2007 (perhaps with a little paraphrasing):
“Pilates is not a trophy-awarding discipline. It is a conscious practice. A disciplined approach to understanding and living in the body.”
Which is why then and today he admonished the group, “No clapping. No Pictures. Just Work. Just Practice.”
Although #RuleBreakerBadAss that I am; as you can see I captured a few gems to document the day. Please see the Related Posts below for more images of Bob and a few other special, Master Teachers that didn’t necessarily want their pictures taken while teaching either.
I remember reading an interview with Bob, in the Sept/Oct 2006 issue of Pilates Style Magazine and resonating with a comment in the last half of the interview when asked, what a Pilates lifestyle meant to him.
“Being aware of living in a body and enjoying the physicality of the life experience. It means being aware of the responsibility you have toward your body. Don’t say “I have back trouble” or ” I have knee trouble” and then just take medications or leave the responsibility to a doctor. Take care of your body and do what you can to prevent these issues. If you move you just feel better, which helps you deal with your mental and emotional balance. So just get out there and please enjoy life. The problem is too many people take their bodies for granted and then can do nothing but complain when something goes wrong. Be aware of what you’re eating and how you’re breathing, be aware of the steps you take, and choose quality over quantity.”
He goes on,
“Unfortunately, in America, it’s quantity over quality. Of course, on the other hand, don’t be a gym nut. That’s not healthy either. After all, Joe Pilates liked his cigars and whiskey too.”
This workshop kept me smiling and laughing quite a bit in the back of the room….and once or twice from the cadillac with a wink or two to Brett on that side wall. I was aware of how deeply my body has absorbed this work over the years and how much I loved feeling that accomplishment.
Thank you Brett. Thank you Bob. Thank you Joseph Pilates.
Related Posts:
Gina Jackson, is a classically trained Pilates Teacher and has been teaching along the Gold Coast of Hudson and Bergen County, NJ for the past fifteen+ years.
Certified by Power Pilates of New York, Gina has trained with Master Teachers Bob Liekens, Susan Moran and Brett Howard; loved workshop training with Cary Regan and Blossom Leilani-Crawford and has particularly enjoyed listening to the personal stories as told by Pilates Elders, Kathy Grant and Lolita San Miguel.
An active teacher and blogger, Gina manages a private personal training business supporting a myriad of clients, teaching all to honor their health, strength and life with the principles of Pilates at its core.