Pilates Thoughtful Tuesday: Returning to Normal After the Extraordinary

A mischievous monkey explores an open suitcase in a Sanya hotel room, paradise outside.

There is always a moment at the end of a convention when you stop and realise how much you have absorbed. This past week has been a reminder of how far the Pilates method has reached. A tropical island filled with passionate teachers and dedicated movers, a mix of languages, laughter, and learning, and even a few monkeys who decided to join the adventure.  

Teaching Reformer, Cadillac, Mat, and Ladder Barrel sessions was a privilege, and the Ladder Barrel stood out as a personal favourite. It is always the combination of focus, energy, and shared commitment that makes these experiences unforgettable. Being surrounded by educators from all over the world, each bringing their own interpretation of the method, was both humbling and inspiring.  

This island (Sanya) has a culture so different from my own. The language is sharp and tonal, the pace unpredictable, and the people kind and curious. Watching a colleague chase two monkeys out of her room with pillows reminded me how travel keeps you alert, laughing, and grateful.  

Now, as I prepare to leave, I find myself thinking about the return to everyday life. No breakfast buffet waiting, no packed class schedule, no one asking about the next workshop. The shift back to routine feels sudden. Yet that is where the lesson lies. What we experience in moments of privilege and excitement should come home with us. The professionalism, the warmth, the shared passion for teaching movement.  

The true luxury of this week was not the hotel or the sunshine. It was being part of a community that believes in what we do. Pilates continues to connect people across cultures and continents, proving again that mindful movement is a universal language.  

As this Thoughtful Tuesday arrives, I leave with gratitude, inspiration, and a reminder that while conventions end, the work continues wherever we are.