How Pilates helped me through my divorce, and still helps my mood today.

Do you find that your head is constantly elsewhere, whatever physical state you are in, a ‘to do” list, or the next task, or fixating on some annoyance that you just cant shake is continually chattering away?

I find this a lot.

I very rarely relax and exist in the present moment unless..

Im doing Pilates!
This is the only time my mind chatter stops and i’m totally focussed and in the current moment. My mind and body are finally and totally connected.

“Pilates focuses the mind and body through controlled movements, breath control and precise muscle engagement.”

Joseph Pilates said :

“Pilates is complete coordination of body, mind and spirit”

When i’m doing Pilates I have to focus to enable my body to execute the moves. I would find it impossible to go through my shopping list at the same time as executing a Pilates flow. That total surrender of the mind to the Pilates has helped me through my toughest times and still helps me deal with challenges today.

During lockdown, all of my Pilates classes moved to zoom. My marriage ended. I was a self employed single parent. I was not entitled to any government help as I had only been back in the UK for 18 months. I had to keep going and I had to make a success of what I was doing.

Pilates and being there for my clients was my mental lift. To be able to focus and remain Physically strong and active, to connect with my clients, to find and read a daily inspirational quote (despite somtimes feeling tears with emotion as I read it out) .. that kept me going and lifted me up.

Life has changed so much for me now, all for the better. But I still appreciate how its only when I do Pilates that my mind is fully engaged in the moment and mentally I feel so much better for it.

Im grateful for that. And i know this is true for so many of you too

PS - I still see my zoom clients twice a week, its been over 5 years and some I have never met in person but hold so close to my heart