An intelligent body and enduring mind need to be strong – yet resilient. We want to feel agile to move with freedom, with the ability to relax when needed and be tough when required. Living the 21st century’s fast-paced lifestyle means that we need to adapt to the fast change as they come at us. Being aware of your breathing is one way to get there. 

Breathing is a powerful tool that we take for granted. It’s the pinnacle of  Joseph’s Pilates work. It’s both a fundamental principle and a goal of Pilates. We’re lucky to have Joe’s words from his book Return to life to remind us that to practice Pilates means that we need to focus on how to breathe: “above all learn how to breathe correctly.”

Not only does breathing teaches us how to access our deep core muscles, but when we coordinate our movement with our breath, it’s like doing Tai Chi – meditation in movement, a place of contentment and calm. In that one split of focus on our breathing, we enter the now where nothing else exists, not your worries, not what you have to do tomorrow, or what happened yesterday. The now is where we feel balanced, centered, and grounded; we get a sense of well-being without any doing. Anxiety arises when we can’t accept the now, what is presently in front of us or what we have, and as a consequence worry arises because we can’t predict the future. But when we are in the now, we feel empowered because, in that particular moment, we can only do what we only do which is taking care of what’s right in front of us. Life will then give you the hint of how to take care of tomorrow, which when it arrives will be the now. 

Worry arises because we can’t

predict the future @jeaniquepilates 

So let us remind ourselves that the most important part of our practice is to focus on our breath. 

I challenge you this month to think about how you breathe and to remind yourself when life isis overwhelming that one conscious breath can be a meditation. When you get tired close your eyes and take a long, deep breath, when you are about to shout or get angry at somebody, your spouse, your kids, or your co-worker, instead of dropping your anger on them, take a deep breath. In fact, let’s just take the advice of ‘the father of NOW’.  Mr. Eckhart Tolle.  

“Be aware of your breathing as often as you are able,

 whenever you remember. 

Do that for one year,

and it will be powerfully transformative.« ~ the power of now 

So in class this month you will hear our teachers, more than before asking you to pay attention to your breath. We’ve gathered all types of tips, quotes and images to help you breathe better. Don’t forget to share your personal image or quote that helps and remind you how to breathe. Do your part because, at the end, it’s your practice. Here is to wonderful year of Pilates 

Xo 

 Jeanique

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