I hope you have had a good week, and what a week it has been! 

A lot of uncertainty around for many of us, so let me take you away from all that for a few moments as you read this week’s Newsletter.

I share this week’s exercise with CAUTION. The Saw is a "classical" Joseph Pilates movement — but it is considered quite controversial in its fullest sense, and contraindicated for some conditions such as osteoporosis of the spine or bulging lumber discs. I do demonstrate some modifications, and if you have any problems sitting on the floor, use a yoga block or a folded towel to raise the sitz bones to help with posture. 

This is NOT to be done if you do have any of the conditions mentioned above and in the video.  

Keep away from pain and listen to your body and work at the appropriate level.

Pilates is complete co-ordination between body, mind and spirit

Joseph Pilates

One of the things that attracted me to Pilates was this connection and all through my training it became more and more obvious that — when I practised my Pilates — my mind and my body felt calmer and more peaceful. 

When I first started to teach Pilates, I constantly received feedback saying how well people slept after an evening session, and yet Pilates wasn’t about relaxation. 

So what happens to us when we are connecting the mind, body and soul (or spirit, as Joseph himself states) and being more mindful?

When we are present, conscious and really connect the mind and body we are focusing on the movement and being in the moment, the here and now. This action or behaviour presses the pause button to other thoughts that we are carrying around with us, thoughts about a never ending to do list, difficult conversations, worrying about our children, our parents, our work, our relationships, what might happen, what has happened… 

Being truly present with your mind and body doesn’t mean those things go away, but it does give time out from those thoughts, the thoughts that can in themselves cause a physical response such as a headache, shortness of breath, feeling sick, or irritable. 

So when being present in the moment, whether it be participating in a Pilates session, or practising mindfulness in other formats, we are turning down the volume on those thoughts that result in a negative physical response, and switching to a more conscious channel of what is happening now. When we practise this, the physical response is kinder, calmer and results in a more peaceful state of wellness. 

All it requires is for the mind and body to be together, appreciating the here and now, and being present and conscious. It can be any activity or it can be mindful meditation. For me, it happens when I practise Pilates. 

Find your time, find your space, and be curious to discover how being more mindful connects the mind, body and soul for you.