melissamacourek

http://melissamacourek.wordpress.com/

If you want to keep reading about my life follow that link and save it.

In February I moved my Pilates studio home, closing my commercial space on 6th avenue due to economic downturn and an upswing of local competition sporting unbelievable prices.

Over the prior fall and winter I struggled with whether I should close the studio or not. I'd had it 5 years, loved the space beyond words, but the rent went from being 1/3 of my income to my income barely paying the rent, and many months I had to dip into our pockets to do that. Ugh. Frustrating. I tried lots of different ways to provide classes hoping to bring businesses back up, but the thing is I homeschool and therefore only teach part-time and simply cannot offer enough classes and cheap deals to keep enough students coming through to stay open.

Sadly, stalling on closing it cost me a great deal, and as of this week I've finally recovered from most of the damage done by not closing the studio sooner. I'm excited to be through most of the financial repair : ) and I've learned a lot of lessons in business.

My dear friend and beloved teacher, Nan Feist, told me when I was just starting my Pilates career to have the smallest space/rent you can afford, don't buy equipment on credit - earn the money for each piece so it is fully paid for, and don't upgrade in ways that will cost increase unless there is a big value in it. With her I worked in a small loft hidden away in the Merlino Art Center, where the Tacoma City Ballet, Corina Bakery, and the Grand Cinema are housed. She said, you can be hidden if you are a great teacher, word of mouth is how most people find you, and it is true.

My current studio is rent-free : ) and I can work very minimally and homeschool a lot and not panic if a client cancels, what a relief that is.

Since February I've struggled with this space that is a few feet too small for all the things I like to do. I've rearranged and rearranged and I'm certain there is still more rearranging to come, but this latest equipment shift made my studio usable in ways it hasn't been yet, and I'm delighted!!! All my students this week came in and marveled how much better it was, yay!

I'm so thrilled with it I took pictures yesterday. Here they are...

You can't see all the equipment in the photos because I keep much of it tucked away. In the studio I have a Reformer/Half-Cadillac combination machine (in this photo the Cadillac mats are covering the Reformer), traditional Gratz mat, Wunda chair, Arc Barrel, and other small apparatus, aerial silks, and aerial pole.


The Wunda chair.


My favorite place to sit : )


Pilates lessons last one-hour, and can be booked on a fairly flexible schedule. Cost for a single visit $65, or pack of 5 for $250 plus tax. Subjects taught include Evolved and Classical Pilates, Somatics, Pelvic Floor support, Jade Egg, Embodiment Sessions, Menstrual Cycle Tracking, Sex Education with regard to pelvic floor and hormones, and occasionally sitting meditation.

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/07/11/1741529/honk-if-youll-miss-ruston-way.html

Developers of the surrounding property plan to pack the 300-foot-long tunnel with dirt and bury it, eventually diverting traffic onto a broad new bypass road. News of the impending closure has brought on a rush of nostalgia from local residents.

They remember the tunnel not as the deathtrap traffic engineers say it is, but as a place that gave everyday driving the thrilling aspects of an amusement park ride. The road through the tunnel, barely wide enough for two cars, makes a sharp turn at the Ruston end, cutting off visibility for approaching drivers.

***

This afternoon I took my Little Human through the tunnel for the last times, then snapped these photos of it. Goodbye tunnel - I was really fond of you!

I'm interested in going to Nepal to do some volunteer work for a few weeks in this program to help women http://www.volunteeringnepal.org/programmedetails.php?pid=32&page=Women%27s%20Empowerment The particular job I plan to sign up for is helping with health education, likely building latrines, etc.

Because I homeschool I have a really limited income, so coming up with the 2000 to fly as well as the program fee is out of my range of ability. Therefore, much like I did when I needed money to publish my book, I'm creating a fundraiser, this time through art.

I plan to print some of my photos and frame them nicely, frame some of my paintings, and also have a version of my book that comes with a audio lecture (likely the sex class with a bent on the hormonal issues relating).

Here's the first painting I've made for it.

Suggested Life Tip - No matter how cute your cat looks when she's sleeping on one of your favorite shirts do not let her continue to do so or you'll spend part of your day removing massive amounts of cat hair before you can even wash it. Cute cats belong on surfaces that are easier to clean.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/03/magazine/infidelity-will-keep-us-together.html?_r=3&pagewanted=1&smid=tw-nytimes

- Savage believes monogamy is right for many couples. But he believes that our discourse about it, and about sexuality more generally, is dishonest.

- And he does not believe that monogamy is wrong for all couples or even for most couples. Rather, he says that a more realistic sexual ethic would prize honesty, a little flexibility and, when necessary, forgiveness over absolute monogamy.

- Dan has always said if you have different tastes, you have to be good, giving and game, and if you are not G.G.G. for those tastes, then you have to give your partner the out.

*****

I find the thing that makes me most miserable in a relationship is being told I can only love/bond/connect with one person, and that if I feel a bond with someone else I'm supposed to stuff those feelings, which only brings out my most negative feelings.

When I feel I can have the space, feel trusted by my partners, to connect with those rare souls who come through my life that I feel drawn to, I feel the most happy ever, and this brings out my best attributes.

http://www.tokyomango.com/tokyo_mango/2011/06/photographer-documents-drunk-salarymen-passed-out-on-sidewalks.html

(I'm fascinated with Japan)

Really delightful to have such a nice day.

Today I rode my bike up to Art on the Ave. Wow, was it the most crowded I've ever seen it. Last year I didn't go, I was burned out after years of having a studio on 6th and participating. I did miss the art cars, last year, and now I'm equally bummed because there were NO art cars this year! What the???

There was only one artist working. How is this an artist festival when there aren't artists working? Just so much commerce. I'm being negative, I know, I'm just really disappointed.

On good notes, seeing people I know in my community who I rarely get to say hi to rocks. There were some original artists with booths there. The music was pleasant in the center area. People seemed like they were having a good time.

I think the best thing I saw, besides the people I like, was this bike.



I went back to the park I cracked my head at a few weeks ago for the first time since that happened. I've felt stand-offish about that place, scared I'd hit my head again. How silly is that? Interesting how the reptilian and limbic brains entrain unsafe places so immediately into the brain that a recoil from the thought of going there happens in an uncomfortable physical manifestation. I LOVE this park. It was the perfect day to go back there and now I can go again. I wish I would've taken a picture of it today, the light was beautiful, but I was busy having other meaningful experiences enjoying the shade and the privacy, and my mental picture of it is vibrant.

I took my Little Human on her bike around Jefferson Park 3 times. Her fears are fading as her strength and balance improve.

After that, I went into my Pilates studio and worked on movement fundamentals. It felt lovely to stretch and meditate.

Now we are enjoying gluten-free pizza. What a treat!

I LOVE Sundays. I mean, they also have a lot of chores I have to do, planning for the week, grocery shopping, etc, but otherwise I relax, and so the fact that I booked myself to teach today is remarkable because I really, really like to relax.

Two weeks ago I asked the Universe for two new students, and I didn't put any other boundaries on it than that. I didn't want to limit what the Universe could send my way. Two students manifested - thank you Universe for listening - but one can only see me every other week on Tuesday mornings at the ridiculously early hour of 8! and the other needs to see me once or twice a month on Sundays.

They are both incredibly nice people, and are worth seeing, and I need the income so I booked them into my schedule. Waking up this morning and knowing I had to get going before everyone else, all of which are happily still in their comfy beds right now, added a dimension to my weekend I remember not feeling fond of when I used to do it regularly.

All that said, I'm excited to meet this student today, our first connection for movement, and I'll just have to schedule relaxation into my afternoon.

Thank you Sunday for not being too miffed at me for giving you up now and again to get by in life and help others, I can't wait to visit with you next weekend when my dearest Molly arrives for Critical Massive. Yes, it is true I won't be able to sleep in that Sunday either, but wow what a gift in that day so I can't imagine I'd sleep much anyway.