As I write this blog I am holding my 4-day-old son in my arms and dreaming of the Pilates method I love so much. Today I want to talk about my personal situation and how I've managed to bring the Pilates studio into my home. So many of us love the method created by Joseph Pilates. We love it for many different reasons -- the way it makes us feel, the results, our mental physique, the community our studio has built -- whatever the reason, we are hooked. We look forward to class each week and may feel a little giddy on the drive to the studio wondering who else is in class and what the instructor has in store for us that day. I know I feel that way each time to walk in the doors of Studio Flo.
Recent life events have taken me away from the studio that has become my home more than I'd like. When my first born son was 14 months old my husband deployed to the Middle East; being the sole caretaker made getting to the studio nearly impossible. Remember that 4-day-old sleeping in my arms? Well, I was also pregnant with him while my husband was gone. As you can imagine, I was exhausted and at times delirious. Now that I have 2 children, under 2 years old, I am asking myself, how am I going to keep my passion for Pilates alive without a reformer in my living room? How am I going to stay motivated without other students in class encouraging me along?
One of the amazing aspects of Pilates is that you can do it anywhere! I could sit here and give a list of exercises to do at home that would give you whole body workout; but if I did that I would just be copy pasting Joseph Pilates original Mat class order. With my current situation I don't have a solid hour to dedicate to a full Mat class at home. Once I start my workout my toddler runs over and climbs on me like a jungle gym or as soon I start The Hundred my baby boy will cry and want to be nursed. I know I am not alone in this department. Trying to find "me time" and keep children happy is a constant battle. I want to share how I incorporate Pilates into my everyday routine. Hopefully you can gain some new information and find a way to bring these simple practices into your life regardless of how busy your life is at the moment.
When I wake up in the morning before I get out of bed, I warm up my spine by doing Book Covers (laying in your side with bent knees and and hands grasped behind head, open top elbow as much as you can while keeping hips stacked, let your gaze follow your elbow) Spine Stretch Forward (sit upright with legs straight, hip distance apart, arms reached out in front of you, reach forward into flexion while working opening up your spine). When brushing my teeth I work on my Dr Kegel's Isometric Contractions. When I have the time to try and clear my mind, such as sitting in traffic or nursing I like to work on my progressive breathing, it helps me relax and focus on the right here and now rather than the million things on my to do list. One exercise I find time in my day to do is the Double Leg Stretch (starting in c-curl with knees into chest, reach arms overhead while legs reach away from the body). This exercise has everything I'm looking for in one movement. It works the power house, opens up the back, works on axial elongation, coordination and never gets easier.
It is so important to have a healthy family and getting everyone involved in Pilates is important in my household. While my toddler may be too young to "do" Pilates with me, he loves to watch me practice and I find ways to include him. For example, when I Roll Like a Ball, he finds it hilarious! Or when I do The Hundred I blow in his face as I exhale and he tries to copy me. I make elephant, angry cat, horse and seal noises while I do the respective exercises and he mimics me. When my new born gets a little bigger and stronger I will practice my teaser holding him.
Life can get unexpectedly busy but that is no reason to put your physical and mental wellbeing on the back burner. If you can't make it into the studio that day, it's okay. Try to do some exercises at home to boost your mood and energy and jump back into class tomorrow. Hopefully this gave you a few ideas on how to bring the Pilates method into your everyday life, all day long- not for just an hour at a time. Pilates is not just a form of exercise it is a lifestyle. A lifestyle we have all grown to love.
By Kaitlyn Bradley