Do you need to be calm this week? I know I do. With just a couple of weeks away from traveling, I’m trying to stay calm despite the constant ups and downs of the pandemic. So, I’ve been closing my eyes a few times during the day. Because it helps me focus on my breathing to maintain my center, this is how I am beginning today’s video, and you are welcome to join me.

I am starting with the magic circle breathing. I love it. This exercise increases my lung strength to help me take lots more air in one breath. Then we start on the back in the CRP, not to be confused with the CPR. CRP stands for Constructive Rest Position. In this position, you allow gravity to help you drop your body weight into the mat. It’s great when you’re anxious. Have you ever noticed that, after Pilates, you feel calmer yet alert and focused? That’s because starting on your back allows your central nervous system within the spinal column to relax. This relaxation is further enhanced by Rolling like a ball and other roll-up exercises which massage your spine. So here you have a few simple exercises to guarantee you get your chill on, but why are you still stressed?

Life gets in the way. I know, I know, as much as this clichéd phrase gets on your last nerve nerve, busy life does get in the way of our peaceful calmness. By being too busy, we can feel high for an extended period which eventually depletes our energy. You see, this is not just being energetic from being busy; it’s the high nervous energy that triggers your fight or flight muscles, leaving you feeling drained. That is not the best way to relax and calm oneself. 

We’re just a few weeks away from the holiday hype, and I’m so excited. Christmas always puts me in a good mood! But I also want to be prepared to finish this year relaxed to enter the new year calmly. So let’s dig into the following exercises to invite our bodies to be calm.

Xo 

 Jeanique