Fitness, Personal Training, Pilates, Workout, Yoga
Pilates truly is an investment for life. It occurred to me today whilst having my nails painted, how struck I was by the other people coming and going through the Salon. There were the usual mix of women but more disturbingly there were also school girls coming in straight from school, since when did teenagers with long ‘perfect’ Bambi limbs and radiant skin need waxing and threading as part of their school day? I’m not suggesting that as a teenager I wasn’t aware of wanting to shave my legs, but my first attempt with my dad’s razor and no soap taught me a valuable lesson. ‘Beauty’ often comes at a price, albeit an excruciating razor rash cost. I was equally disturbed listening to the various men discussing the merits of exfoliating and comparing Micro-dermabrasion products, obviously I want Men to smell nice but I don’t want them to have smoother skin than me!
And so it seems the unrelenting obsession and media focus on age defying beauty regimes and secrets has now become gender neutral, I used to like chatting to the nail technicians without having to listen to men talking about Nasal Hair removal behind me. My fear is that the further we get caught up with the outside the less we concentrate on the inside. As we can see from the quote above ‘true age’ is not determined by the lines (or frozen lines) on your face but by your ability to move your spine and therefore your body free of pain and discomfort. I’m all for helping mother nature, however one feels is appropriate but it’s no coincidence that Yoga and Pilates teachers often belie their age, in spite of often long days, lack of sleep and reliance on caffeine. What they are consistent with however, is their regular exercise regimes and including movement in their everyday life. This daily appreciation of moving in itself is an extremely effective anti-ageing insurance. People who exercise regularly are less likely to be on regular medication, get better quality sleep, maintain a regular weight and are usually happier, now it seems they also look younger too!
In truth I can’t tell you if it’s the focus on breathing, concentration or the exercises themselves but deep down I have seen for myself ‘the major results of Contrology is gaining the mastery of your mind over the complete control of your body’ (Joseph Pilates) and the subsequent independence and lifestyle choices that this investment supports. Of course life will throw its curve balls, Menopause, Surgery and Illness however, as my clients will testify to, the hours you but in before these events present the stronger and more fluid your recovery. So perhaps as we pick out our favourite lotions and potions we should also be resolving to select our exercise classes with the same care. Just as you don’t believe everything the advert sells you as truth anyone that tells you weight loss, toned arms, lifted bottoms are achievable in an hour a week is at best kidding themselves, at worst lying to you. In an hour I teach awareness and aim to inspire more confidence in movement and moving. But what am I admitting to? of course in my classes we lift, tighten, lengthen and stretch abs, backs, arms and butts all to perfection, my Girls and Boys all leave looking younger and more gorgeous….guaranteed, Pilates says so, well sort of, If we practice every day that is and remember to break a sweat from time to time.
