When life comes full circle
The last 4 weeks have left me with a sense of what it feels like - when life comes full circle!
Getting to introduce the world of Pilates to a 15-year-old, who is the same age as her mother when she first started working out with me has been special.
Seeing her go from “I don’t like exercising” to “I feel strong, I can do this daily!” has been simply wonderful.
A Pilates Journey with Multiple Sclerosis
I share here a personal account of an individual with Multiple Sclerosis whose life has been positively impacted with Pilates.
” In twenty years of having MS (multiple sclerosis), I have tried everything. Pilates was new to me.
The results were not overnight. It has been just a year and I can feel it working….”
How Things Look
I often point out to my clients and students, ‘To make a movement look easy and simple requires a lot of work. Don’t judge an exercise by how it looks.’
Exercises that look fluid and easy, even graceful, often tempt us into wanting to try the same. We overlook the work and time required to reach that level - to make the movement look like that.
Workout for Strength, Not Stress
We have been so deeply conditioned by the ‘no pain, no gain’ workout philosophy that anything less does not feel like a workout.
Why do we feel the need to associate our workout efforts with a negative emotion?
Instead, why do we not choose positive emotions such as strength and energy to reflect our efforts?
What is H.I.C.C.?
The High Intensity and Core Challenge (H.I.C.C.) is a personal training program at The Zone Studio.
It is a high intensity program specific to each individual. Because, high intensity is not a general, one-size-fits-all level when training.
Intensity is relative to each individual’s starting point. Every person’s level of high intensity in exercise will measure differently.
Your Personal Training Program
A good personal training program will ensure that your workouts are sustainable, allow your body to recover between sessions, build energy, and not lead to stress and injuries.
Such training, that constantly builds progressive challenge as you get stronger and fitter, will show you benefits. To keep you fit, strong, and active - for the long-term!
Strength Training with Pilates
Pilates is popularly identified as an exercise program that addresses postural and muscular imbalances, and strengthens the core. However, the strength training, mobility and joint stability benefits of Pilates are lesser recognised.
What should I eat?
It’s important to find a healthy balance between your eating habits and fitness program. It’s really a loop – where one fuels the other. You need to eat adequately to maintain energy levels, stay healthy and achieve your fitness and weight goals.
The Power of Breathing
Our breath can have a profoundly positive impact on our bodies. Conscious, aware breathing can help reduce stress, lower blood pressure, improve focus and concentration, increase energy levels, lead to faster recovery from fatigue. I could go on!
You are a work in progress
Fitness is much more than exercise.
It’s a lifestyle. And in this, we are all a work in progress.
Choosing the right Pilates equipment
Pilates equipment was developed by Joseph Pilates in the early 1900’s. In current times there are many companies manufacturing Pilates equipment, with designs that have evolved to make the equipment more versatile and adjustable to address varied needs.
When deciding on your Pilates equipment, whether it is a single piece or a wider range, it would be worthwhile to discuss your requirements with an experienced professional who will be able to guide you to make the best choices keeping in mind the four main considerations (functionality, space, cost, and look).
Working Out With Intent
Consider what your focus is when working out. Do you want to just get it over with? Do you keep pushing your workouts down on your to-do list? Are your workouts about catching up with friends?
Or, do you look forward to your workouts as a time to energise, re-charge and feel strong? And, if those are your goals, do you feel that you achieve them?
Your workout is not meant to entertain you!
Of course, a well-chosen customised fitness program will also lead to you feeling energised – emotionally, mentally and physically. Keeping one entertained however, is really not the purpose of a workout!
So, you may need to re-evaluate the reason/s for the boredom or monotony you are experiencing in your workouts.
Is It Time To Step Away From The Crowd?
When choosing an exercise program or workout to participate in, the important considerations should be – goals, suitability and safety of the workouts specific to YOU.
How to choose a fitness program to suit your goals
Consider what your reasons for starting a fitness programme are – keeping in mind factors such as your lifestyle, current health, and fitness levels. Is there a specific goal you want to achieve – do you want to run, cycle, play a sport or are you planning an activity-based holiday?
The New Reasons to Workout – which one is yours?
The goals and reasons for exercising are definitely changing. Exercising to lose weight and look good is still an important goal, but not the only focus for women, across age-groups.
Being strong, sculpted and toned are some of the current fitness goals for women.
Movement is fascinating
Movement allows us to be strong, powerful, and efficient; enabling us to lead active lives to the best of our abilities.
The simplest movement done with strength and fluidity is amazing to behold.
Quality of a movement is what matters; not just getting there.
Consistency is Key
Consistency is really the key starting point to achieving results in your exercise program; in anything in life actually! After all, no work-out is going to give you results if you don’t actually do it.
Fit. Healthy. Safe. In The Zone
In this new and changed social environment it has become more imperative for us to ensure that we stay safe while working towards staying fit and healthy, both in mind and body.
At the Studio my team and I have always been particular in ensuring a clean, healthful and safe workout environment. With the current scenario, we have stepped it up even further.
What is it about Pilates?
I believe that Pilates as a training method is very inclusive; embracing all other systems of exercise, sport and movement.