Janepie33 Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 Last Christmas I joined a local Pilates class on a Saturday morning. It was lovely and peaceful and a great way to start Saturday. The teacher is kind and gentle and the other ladies are calm and focused. I then mentioned the class to a friend, who mentioned it to another friend and to her daughter. The 3 of them joined the class in January. The dynamics of the class completely changed. The friend of a friend (who is also a sort of friend of mine) monopolises the teacher by asking for help for every single pilates movement, stating loudly "I can't do that one, it hurts my back, old shoulder injury, knee, little toe........". The teacher spends a great deal of time sugesting alternative positions for her and consequently we don't get as much done as we used to. Often I feel like shouting at the 'fiend' (who I get on with socially) and telling her to be quiet and to just get on with it and I leave the class feeling quite wound up because of her. Have I just turned into a grumpy old woman? Any advice greatly appreciated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlo Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 What a shame that your class has been spoiled. I frequently turn into a Grumpy Old Woman too and would probably feel the same in your shoes. The teacher is in a difficult position as she has to take notice if someone is in difficulty or even just says that they are! If this person hadn't joined the class, maybe someone else would who would be equally irritating. To be honest, there are people like that in most of the classes that I do! I just try and ignore them. Is it worth having a quiet word with the instructor who may be able to say something to the effect that "any questions, come and see me at the end of the class so as not to disturn everyone else." Other than that I suppose it is either bite your tongue or try and find a different class.... Sorry not to be of more help but hope that you don't feel too grumpy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 Often I feel like shouting at the 'fiend' (who I get on with socially) and telling her to be quiet and to just get on with it and I leave the class feeling quite wound up because of her. Was that a fr. slip? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 Can you maybe have a word with the instructor & see if she can suggest a different class for her - one for those who are less able? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarrensWorld Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 "Am I really mean and horrid?." No I don't think so, but I think you made a little mistake in inviting a friend and her 'fiend'...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scramble Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 I don't think so I think it was meant to be something relaxing and enjoyable and often when you invite friends to things like that, what you went there to do kind of flies out of the window. I agree with Cinnamon, is there a different class she could become a part of? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 I'd have a word with the instructor - a good teacher should be able to make sure that everyone is included and that no one monopolises her time! I would be equally as annoyed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 no love you are a noraml woman who probably has too much going on in her life and feels pulled in all directions. Try monopolising the teacher a bit more yourself, after all you are paying for it. I feel mean and horrible a lot of the time but I'm not really ..... what I am? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 And I can't spell - you are NORMAL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy chickens! Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 I like ' noraml' looks like a mix of normal and hormonal, ie typical woman!! And no, not mean and horrid - I hate it when there's a newbie in the step class I do, it means the teacher can't up the level and make us work extra hard, but the important thing is you don't resent the person, just the effect on the class. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Looney Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 No you are not mean at all! I used to go to a pilates class, and I loved it, the teacher was fabulous. But I was pregnant and as the bump got bigger the teacher used to spend more and more time with me showing me alternative positions. I started to feel like I was getting more than my fair share of the attention. It wouldn't have been safe for me to do the usual exercises without the additional advice so I decided it was time to leave the class. I would have a word with the instructor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenanne Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 .... but the important thing is you don't resent the person, just the effect on the class. I really like that, it's a great way of looking at it. To echo everyone else, try haing a word with the teacher. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janepie33 Posted August 11, 2009 Author Share Posted August 11, 2009 Thanks everyone. Advice much appreciated. I will go back to the class in September in a different frame of mind and speak to the teacher if I get cross again. Yes, 'fiend' was definitely a Freudian slip! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
