The work of Pilates focuses on gaining awareness of how our bodies move and work, whether walking, sitting or standing still. Our bodies are continually adjusting to keep all systems in balance. This practice is about precision and imprinting productive ways of moving in our subconscious. As renowned Pilates expert Madeline Black (the "Pilates whisperer") states in her book, Centered,"When we start to learn a new movement, the body's sense and coordination are not fully organized. ...The integrated movement practice cannot be performed mindlessly. Over time and repetition, the brain maps and imprints movement information, developing a strong sense of the movement pattern."
Achieving a mindful Pilates practice, or in yoga, requires working with someone who knows how to be a teacher, presents information well and works to achieve precision. In the process, you will also gain an understanding of anatomy, how your body moves and works, and how to improve overall well-being. As Black states, "Practice improves motor skills, which increase the activity of proprioception (Ed: the sense of the relative position of neighboring parts of the body and strength of effort being employed in movement.) and the body maps on the brain."
Many of the clients I work with come to me with systems that are out of balance due to stress, pain, chronic illness or other reasons. As a teacher, it's my job to work toward restoring equilibrium among the body's systems and tap into its natural healing abilities. Helping to make a client's body stronger and more balanced contributes to the ability to adapt to physical challenges and regain equilibrium.
As an integrative movement practitioner, I take the time time to study my clients' movement pattern and guide them away from less desirable movement habits and toward more normalized movement. With the proper cueing, I have seen clients gain range of motion and better balance very quickly. Maintaining a dedicated practice is key to sustaining positive changes outside the studio. Achieving mindfulness in our daily lives will carry the Pilates way of moving, walking, standing or sitting second nature.
Warmly,
Conni
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10 Reasons to Walk
Starting a walking routine is easy. All you need is a good pair of walking shoes. The benefits of walking extend beyond the cardio gain, although that is key. Studies have shown that walking is good for our brain and contributes to a more positive outlook and a calmer mind. Just 20 to 30 minutes of daily walking is like free medicine.Read an article on the Bright Side website for a summary of "Ten Things That Happen To Your Body If You Walk Every Day."