Paulina
“I wanted to find a better and more sustainable way of stretching & also to find someone who would help me understand how my own body works, because when I was a kid it almost felt like during stretching my body wasn't even mine.”
What other hobbies/ professions do you have?
Aerial Arts, Walking, Running
When you begin training with me, what were your main flexibility goals?
I had a specific flexy goal in mind I wanted to improve my flexibility to level up my other hobbies.
I wanted to learn more about flexibility technique
What brought you to flexibility training? (e.g. a goal, a feeling, a curiosity…)
I always kind of liked stretching and I loved the idea of being flexible - especially as the demand on the flexibility tricks is high for aerial sports - but as a kid in gymnastics (before I took a really long break before finding the aerial community) I always had coaches who would push me into and over my range in passive stretches and my body tends to get really tense now only when I think about it. I wanted to find a better and more sustainable way of stretching and also to find someone who would help me understand how my own body works because when I was a kid it almost felt like during stretching my body wasn't even mine.
What were you struggling with before we started working together?(physically, emotionally, or logistically e.g. pain, fear, lack of progress, confusion, inconsistency…)
Well I always blamed my shoulders and back for not being flexible - I used to have panic attacks going into a bridge pose and therefore I couldn't even get myself to work on what I thought was my biggest problem and this would spiral into pushing myself too much and after that not coming back to stretching for a very long time. But during work as I am slowly gaining the understanding of how the body is interconnected I am learning to love the work and finding ways that work for MY body with you.
“…to be honest jealous - it was keeping me from the tricks that are achievable to people who would come to class for the very first time.”
How did that challenge make you feel?(Physically, emotionally, or both — whatever feels true.)
Very angry (especially with my own body which was fuelling a lot of self hate) and to be honest jealous - it was keeping me from the tricks that are achievable to people who would come to class for the very first time. And even though I knew that my main thing in the aerial was my strength, the fact that for a long time I felt extremely lost with flexibility felt very discouraging.
Had you tried anything else before joining KMM? If so, what was missing?
I tried yoga and online video programs but for me - as my body reacts a bit different to some stretches - not having someone to adjust my technique was not effective and I also forced myself too much every time which would cause me to not stretch regularly and the warmup stretches during my hoop sessions just weren't enough for me.
What made you choose to work with me / join KMM?
Instagram tutorial on aerial hoop where you would show how to lead with the hips to get into a pose which felt impossible for me for the longest time and various coaches were not able to get me there. But with following your instructions even though it was still a bit difficult I was able to get there in a matter of minutes.
“…For me it was definitely a mindset shift - this shift is now resonating though all of my life. … I stopped pushing & started exploring”
What was the moment you realised things were starting to change?(A movement breakthrough, a mindset shift, a feeling in your body…)
For me it was definitely a mindset shift - this shift is now resonating though all of my life. Showing me that love and gentle approach with a lot of curiosity gets you much further that pushing real hard once in a while. I still love pushing myself but now it feels waaay different when it's not with anger. This happened rather quickly in matter of weeks with my back and when I stopped pushing and started exploring, breathing and enjoying but I still feel that this change is happening and I am always finding more love in myself for myself (in everyday life not just stretching)
What specific tools, techniques, or support that we explored working together do you feel helped you the most? (Feel free to mention anything from class cues to emotional encouragement.)
The core engagement and the hoodie pull for splits and the tailbone positioning. That's something that I am still exploring and still trying to get into my pattern.
How has your flexibility or movement practice changed since we began? And how do you feel in your body and mind now, compared to when you started? (Feel free to share physical progress, mindset shifts, or anything else that feels meaningful.)
I am training more often and I look forward to the stretching - that is the biggest change. I am feeling way more in my body (aware) during stretches. I am not trying to escape the sensation but rather with with it and respect it. I still have bad habits that are annoying but I am noticing them way more often which means I can correct them or at least that's the signal for me that I should go easier to unlearn them.
“…the calm that I can feel now during stretches and the fact that I am able to think about what I am doing with intention”
How did working together help you overcome your flexibility struggle or original challenges?
I would say it is especially the calm that I can feel now during stretches and the fact that I am able to think about what I am doing with intention. But also the new stretches that I didn't know existed before that we found together that work for me are a huge leap
What has surprised you most about this journey?
I still have goals and I want to reach them but the shift I had in the way I want to achieve them changed a lot and that surprised me. I feel like now I know that the journey is not linear and that things that are there one day might not be the other and that doesn't mean I am in regress - it just means my body needs to go easier and I just never had this mentality before - for me it was always push and always be better than yesterday.
What part of your progress are you most proud of? (This could be a pose, a feeling, a habit, or a new level of confidence.)
Definitely the fact that I am able to stick to the routine and I am excited for the training - it is usually a highlight of my day.
“…The fun & meaning you'll find along this journey is much greater than the goal you might have in your head right now.”
What are your goals now? Think about the next step in your previous goals, &/or any new goals you now have.
I still have a goal to catch my legs in the cocoon but the approach changed, now I want to get there safely even though it takes longer and not just get there no matter what.
Is there anything else from your continued journey that you would like to add or feel is important to share? Or do you have any tips, recommendations or wise thoughts for anyone else wanting to begin their flexy journey?
Flexibility changes your relationship with yourself for much better if approached correctly
What would you say to someone who’s struggling with flexibility and thinking about joining KMM?
The fun and meaning you'll find along this journey is much greater than the goal you might have in your head right now.
