Every day I feel like I am part of the most amazing profession and that all together we bring so much joy into the world.
1. What is your go-to, favourite Pilates series?
The belly busters series from the classical mat work. It is super efficient and sets me up perfectly for a run. I love to add in a few swans, leg pull fronts, side bends and twists before I run out the door.
2. When did you know you’d found your calling with the Method?
In my heart I knew from the very first moment I moved on the equipment. My first day in a Pilates studio; Abbi White had invited me to apprentice with her and there I was. In heaven. Moving in all sorts of wonderful ways that challenged both my body and my mind to be more flexible.
3. Mindfulness is an important part of Pilates. What’s something you do outside of Pilates to keep yourself mindful?
I meditate every day and every month I participate in a meditation study group. This keeps my practice fresh and progressive. I love it.
When I was 16 my mum was diagnosed with cancer. For the seven years that followed she was in and out of remission. The one thing that made the biggest difference to her happiness and energy throughout that time was meditation. Nothing else came close.
No drugs or therapy could bring the vitality back into her body in the way that meditation did. When I was 22 she died and I made myself a promise to learn to meditate.
Three months after she died, I started teaching Pilates. My daily practice of Pilates was my first step into focusing my mind in that kind of way. After four years of daily Pilates practice, I felt ready to meditate. It was an intuitive progression motivated by my deep knowing of the power of meditation.
4. What does a day in the life of Maggie Macgill look like?
Up at sunrise to enjoy a hot cuppa outside with the waking birds.
I do my most important creative work for the day: reviewing or creating teaching material.
I treat my body to a little Pilates before I hit the trail with intense vigour (a run or a ride). Power up for my teaching day….. as much Pilates as I have time for….
Food…
I immerse myself in the joy of Pilates for six hours with private clients. My client base includes a good mix of Pilates Teachers, Health Care Practitioners, those with complex injury and serious disability, as well as high level athletes…..so there is never a dull moment!
Late afternoon I often teach a track session. Private run clients or my high performance juniors. A mix of Pilates and running outside in the fresh air. Super fun.
Somewhere in there I grab some time for admin and connecting with colleagues. I finish the day with meditation.
I then go and find my husband. We cook together and listen to music…. Then a little reading before bed.
That’s a typical run of the mill day. I mix it all up by teaching an online workshop or travelling to teach in other locations…or taking a chunk of time out to do a session with Amy Taylor Alpers (my Mentor in Boulder).
One thing that is sure to happen every day is that I feel energised, inspired, motivated and deeply fulfilled by the work that I do.
Every day I feel like I am part of the most amazing profession and that all together we bring so much joy into the world.
5. What's your top Teaching Tip?
Give yourself a good dose of Pilates every day! Make your progressive understanding of the method through your own physical experience – part of your job.
By committing to yourself in this way, you will be constantly inspired, challenged, and energised. Both you and your clients will be carried by this energy. As we all know so well….
After a Pilates workout we feel more grounded, focused and calm. These things are essential to being able to trust yourself and relax into the amazing work we do with our lucky clients!
