2024. A new day, a new week, a new month, a new year. What significance does this hold for you?
You may feel the urge to change. You may feel inspired to grow. You may feel called to begin again. It is easy to feel the pull of many voices. But which is your own?
Over the years the external pull has grown weaker for me. In its place, a deeper alignment with my inner voice. And this voice isn’t asking me to change.
If I could offer just one message, on this auspicious day….. focus on all the things you are already succeeding at. The things the light you up. Bring you joy. Make life magical. This holds the power and momentum you will need in 2024.
In the coming weeks, I hope to share more about the small successes that fuel my everyday. But for this post, I thought it was appropriate to begin with the true consonant in my life. Something that doesn’t need an upgrade or a fresh start. It has been around for over 100 years and it has never gone out of style.
Joseph Pilates
Joseph Pilates was born in Germany in 1883. He was a frail child and suffered from Asthma, Rickets and Rheumatic Fever. Pilates refused to surrender to the toils of his illnesses and instead dedicated his life to improving his physical strength.
After practicing gymnastics, martial arts and body building, Pilates concluded that there were 3 determining factors of poor health. Inefficient breathing, bad posture and a frivolous life-style. This became the inspiration for his training techniques.
In 1914, at the onset of World War I, Pilates and a group of students were held at an internment camp on the Isle of Man. He vowed that they would emerge stronger than when they entered. During this time, he refined his techniques, and developed a minimal-equipment system of exercises, which he called Contrology. The system incorporated traditional fitness exercises with movements that Pilates had studied in Yoga. It also focused heavily on core postural muscles and creating mind-body connections to control each movement. While interned, Pilates used his methods to rehabilitate seriously injured veterans.
Joseph Pilates went on to teach dancers, professional athletes, opera singers, businessmen, children with scoliosis and even breast cancer survivors. His innovative methods garnered a devoted following. His regimen builds strength while also increasing flexibility. It isolates individual muscular development while also cultivating a total body awareness. It creates muscular endurance while also addressing spinal stability. It is as he said; a complete coordination of the mind, body and spirit.
Joseph Pilates had completely revolutionized fitness.
A Legacy
As a practitioner of almost 20 years, it feels like an honor to teach the Joseph Pilates method.
Many of you might recall the retelling of my first Pilates class. I could run 10 miles, but I couldn’t hold a plank. Pilates changed the way I thought about fitness and overall health. It challenged me physically and mentally and forced me to slow down. Looking back on the inception years….this is exactly what Joseph Pilates intended.
Pilates talked endlessly about being persistent and patient and dedicating yourself to a daily practice. His ultimate vision was for people to live an optimal life – both physically and mentally. His famous words; Change happens through movement, and movement heals. I can’t think of a more pertinent message, especially on New Years Day.
Joseph Pilates didn’t care about the first few weeks in January. His approach was life-long, and yours should be too. Achieving optimal health and wellness comes down to how much value you are willing to put on daily choices.
Focus on your Successes
What has worked for you this year? Pilates will always top my list.
That is why I am more committed than ever to developing my practice. I am ready get back to the principles.
Starting this week, I will be offering a new weekly class, in addition to my hour-long class on Saturday. I will be called the Bonus Burn. A compact, 10-20 minute class, utilizing the classical Pilates method. It can be completed as a stand-alone class or added a few times to your weekly routine.
Below, is the first class in the series. I would love for you to try it!
Are you ready to embark on this journey together? Are you ready to deepen your Pilates practice? Its time to focus on what you are already successful at. Read more in my NEWSLETTER.
Purchase your class passes HERE.
See you on the mat!
