I hope everyone has survived this blustery weekend, with fence panels still intact.
It saddened me yesterday morning to see a great oak tree blown to the ground by the recent storms. In the afternoon, however, I spotted a daffodil in flower – Its flexible stem resisting the strong force of the winds. It brought my mind to the importance of remaining flexible in our bodies and in our mindset, to prevent us from becoming ‘bent out of shape’ by the storms of life.
So back to the fallen oak tree. And what, might you ask, has this got to do with Pilates? Well, I’d say a lot. A Google search reveals that 2 reasons why trees fall over in storms is due to either soggy soil and/or a compromised root system.
Let’s start with the soggy soil. Last night, when dining with friends, we were discussing how the beautiful walks around Colerne were currently not that enjoyable due to the mud. The solution is simple – reroute and avoid until the weather changes. No one likes to get stuck in the mud or worse, end up with a soggy bottom right? Truth is, many people are ‘stuck in the mud’ of their bad habits, such as stress eating, skimping on sleep, ruminating on negative thoughts, skipping exercise (feel free to think of your own), all of which prevents them from becoming unstuck. And when you can’t bend, you may well find that you eventually break.
What about the roots? Apart from absorbing moisture and nutrients, their structural role is to anchor trees to the ground. This requires space to build their infrastructure and adequate watering. For roots to go deep, they need to be watered deep. To be watered deep, they need to be watered slowly. Over the years I have been teaching Pilates as well as coaching weight loss, I have come across clients who sign up for a 6-week course expecting to see the results straight away, with no practice in-between sessions or steady commitment. It is inevitable that these types of clients would not achieve the lasting success they wished for. It is often said in life, as with many things, that ‘less is more. Taking time to slow down, connect with your body, your thoughts and emotions, raises your self-awareness, which leads to better self-management, and ultimately, when the storms hit, you know how and where to brace yourself. You remain strong, resilient and grounded. You develop a strength that enables you to respond effectively to the ebb and flow of life; physically, emotionally, spiritually and intellectually.
What areas of life do you feel ‘stuck in soggy soil’? How can you become unstuck? Signing up for a Pilates course can help to shift your focus and attention back on track to developing a strong body and mindset. I would love to welcome you back. Why not check out the courses page for the new courses coming up. I currently have spaces for all classes, but they do get booked quickly so book soon! I hope my musings have caused a gentle stir in a positive direction for you and, on this note, and hope to you on the mat soon. Meanwhile, be on the lookout for those daffodils and enjoy the colours of Spring slowly returning. Yellow is the colour of hope and happiness!
