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World Yoga Day: 3 preconceptions about yoga that I can no longer hear
by Anika Schulz
I did it! This is what a month of Wall Pilates did for me
23.2.2024
Translation: Elicia Payne
I did Wall Pilates every day for a month. Did I manage to keep it up and was I actually fitter, stronger and more flexible after 30 days? Here’s how it went and what surprised me most.
I hesitate for a moment before pressing the download button on the Pilates Challenge app. I’m probably going to permanently destroy my algorithm and should prepare myself for a flood of ads on weight loss programmes, sports apps, life coaches and similarly annoying content. And «click»...there goes my algorithm. Hopefully for a good cause.
Let me start by saying, my sportiness comes in waves. I have phases where I exercise a lot, and then I have more sluggish phases, like right now. It’s not a major problem. But these lazy phases shouldn’t go on for too long otherwise getting out of them will be difficult. So for the next few weeks I’m planning a very short but regular Wall Pilates workout.
First of all, I’m delighted at how easy it is to get started with the free app after I only have to say no to a paid subscription once. The selection of Pilates apps is enormous. I decide to go with one my friend recommended to me, otherwise I’ll probably get lost in the flood of options.
Day 2: Everything will be better today – or maybe not?
After yesterday’s hasty start, I want to take more time to prepare today. In other words, I need a real wall space and the unsuitable sleeping mat should be swapped out for my yoga mat. I set off in search of a good section of wall. After a bit of rearranging, I finally find it and get started. The exercises are similar to yesterday’s and I get through them quickly.
Day 3: Now the conditions are right
Glad that I now have a suitable wall space without the risk of slipping, I already start to recognise some of the exercises. This makes it easier to actually do them. On the whole, it stays varied because the individual sequences change quickly. Each session is so short that it doesn’t take me any effort.
My verdict on week 1
Every day I’m happy that I’ve started the challenge. The app covers the basics – simple exercises I can easily do. I’ve been able to find five minutes every day (so far) and after just a few days, I can already feel the effect.
Week 2: I’m (still) going
I passed my first week with an A+, now I have to keep my motivation up. I admit it, I ignored my app on the first day of the second week. «I’ll find five minutes» I thought to myself. But there simply wasn’t the right moment on day eight. So I do double the workload the next day to catch up.
Apart from that, this week is similar to the first. But I’m a little bored of the exercises now. The initial element of surprise is gone, but that’s not a bad thing. I simply change it up myself. I stick to the 40 seconds, but do other Pilates exercises here and there that I know are good for me.
My verdict on week 2
The brevity of the exercises makes it easy to stick with them and make up a day if necessary. I notice a significant difference already. My arms, legs, stomach, everything feels firmer and fitter. I get into a routine, I (almost always) do the daily exercise session quickly on the side, without needing to convince myself.
Week 3: My discipline is dwindling
The classic problem sets in this week. My focus and discipline starts to dwindle. From day 17 onwards something comes up every day and my experiment is threatened. I fail to do my exercises three days in a row. Either the time was too short or I just didn’t feel like it and – I have to admit – one day I simply forgot.
My verdict on week 3
There was a short period where my experiment almost failed, but I managed to get my act together. My learning from this week is that, even if the exercises take up so little time, there are days when I don’t get around to doing them.
Oh well, it’s just a trend and they’re often pointless. At the same time, this is good news for those who have no free wall space because Wall Pilates also works without a wall. Apart from that, the fourth week was also pleasantly unexciting. I’m back in a routine and do the exercises every day.
My verdict on week 4
Welcome routine, goodbye persuasion! Now I’ve got into the Pilates habit. I’m glad that I’ve persevered this far, because now that I’m used to it, my daily Wall Pilates session usually runs all by itself. I usually do the exercises at lunchtime as a nice switch up from computer work.
What should I try next? Daily dance workout, strength training, jogging, yoga ... Or something completely different? Let me know in the comments!
Header image: Mery Ochoa/Digital Life
Anna Sandner
Senior Editor
Anna.Sandner@galaxus.deScience editor and biologist. I love animals and am fascinated by plants, their abilities and everything you can do with them. That's why my favourite place is always outside - somewhere in nature, preferably in my wild garden.
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