Teaching STING, the performer!!

Melanie:
Tell us about teaching STING!!

Answer from Melanie Byford-Young

I arrived at the back stage of the amphitheater around 5:15 pm, signed in and heard the rules (no autographs, no photos, no personal questions, no throwing myself on him during the workout, no pinching his bum and squealing….the regular stuff). I was told that if we were working well together, the session may be an hour; if he wasn’t liking the workout, the session may be over in 15 minutes!!!! I was told to make it a difficult advanced workout, and not to be too nit picky.

(Imagine STING doing side splits on the reformer with his guitar!!- OMG!)

So at around 6pm, STING’s assistant went to ask him IF he would like to do STOTT PILATES®. He arrived at the door, we shook hands (as he gazed into my eyes and told me that I was one of the most beautiful women he had ever seen and that the reputation of Pacific Northwest Pilates proceeded my visit…oops, that is the fantasy version! Back to reality). So down to business.

I started with breathing side on the spine corrector and it was a nightmare!!! I swear I though he may stand up a walk out on me!!!! I ended up demonstrating one rep and from there on things went much better, thank goodness. I did some difficult stuff on the spine corrector and skipped over any other exercises with too many complicated steps/ cues.

From there, I went to the reformer and worked his legs really hard with footwork, sleeper and the jumpboard. From there, we continued with backrowing, long stretch and a series of advanced exercises like tendon stretch. STING does not talk much during the session, so it was funny when I asked if he was feeling the ab work and he barely squeked a “yes’ out of his mouth. When he was doing the side lying feet in straps work, he felt a huge adductor pull, let out a little yelp and said he would be hitting the high notes at the concert! He he he.

So I got to work with him for an hour, and when he said it was time to finish up, I said something like ‘ bummer’ and then got to do two more exercises! I had at least 12 more exercise planned!

STING is incredibly strong and flexible! Very focused and disciplined!

The highlight was after the session, we shook hands and he said something to the effect of ” well now I have to go and cancel the concert, and you have to go tell everyone”.

After that, I went out and met Carole, my husband Kevin, Daphna and her husband and several other friends. Needless to say, I was still flying and talking a mile a minute!!!! The concert was awesome, especially with Stings sweat on my finger tips!!! I got t touch STINGS bum!!

So there is the story! I did not get to meet any of the other band members nor his wife. I did not get a back stage pass, or an invitation to the villa in Tuscany (yet). Unfortunately, I tried to get Leslie or Daphna to be able to work with him the next night in the Gorge, but his people hired someone from Seattle who he had already worked with. Next time hopefully.

This week I am going to take my midweek madness course through the ‘Sweat like STING” workout. We are talking of posting it on our newsletter so you too can teach the STING workout.

Thanks to everyone for running with my energy and making this whole experience a reality and so much fun! You have now seen me at almost my highest energy level! Watch out if he comes back!

You guys are the best!

Wednesday group class….. watch out!
Melanie

Tagged as: celebrity, performer, STING, STOTT PILATES®, STOTT PILATES® Cadillac, STOTT PILATES® Injuries and Special Populations, STOTT PILATES® Reformer, STOTT PILATES® Rehab Program