Mindfulness in movement is why I love and use Pilates in everything. Mindful attention to the details, to the origin of the movement, the source of the energy and the power of the core center to facilitate the completion of every movement changes the way we move. By changing our mindful focus to center of our body, to control and concentrate the movement from that space, all of our movements are changed completely – no matter where they are performed, no matter what equipment is being used, no matter how many repetitions are being performed.
My coaching for most students, to encourage a more pronounced shift to mindful movements, is simply this: a) slow down, b) work thru the center, c) control it, d) breathe. In a nutshell, a few of the basic principles of Pilates. Sure, in the beginning, most of us here the words yet miss their value. Occasionally, there will be an “aha” moment from someone in a group class, “you have to really think to do this work!” When that is acknowledged, appreciated and practiced repeatedly, then the fun can begin.
In Susan’s case, we have been having fun for quite a few years. We share a common spirit and sense of self that has made our time together fly by unmarked by dates or years. Our workout sessions have taken place in gyms, in the park and on the running track. She has followed me to hot yoga classes, SLT sessions and followed me out of the gym and into the studio to embrace both TRX Suspension and of course, Pilates.
Susan is a mini-marathon runner, rides horseback weekly, cycles regularly and is a determined and fiercely committed health and fitness devotee. I am proud to call her my friend. I am also equally proud of the substantive and noticeable differences in her body, movements and awareness since she has fully embraced Pilates.
She never runs away from a challenge and jumps at the chance to try something new and different which makes her a wonderful joy to work with. Currently, her challenge of the moment, is figuring out – both mentally and physically – how to master Snake and Twist.
It has only been in the last two years, that we have begun cross training with the Pilates apparatus, as heretofore our work together was primarily in the gym using traditional weights and strength training equipment. We progressed to the complete elimination of dumbbells and weights and began exclusively working body-weight resistance, primarily with Pilates and use of TRX Suspension.
As a result, I introduced her to Pilates Mat by incorporating the abdominal series into every session hour. Of course the Rollup, Teaser, Corkscrew were added, side kicks couldn’t be ignored and soon she began to notice the lines and tone of her body changing. Curiousity and her penchant for change and variety, brought regular Pilates training on the apparatus (1X weekly) to her training regimen, in addition to TRX Pilates 1X weekly.
The wonder and beauty of Pilates brings about the change in movement for all its practitioners. Now that the full breadth of Pilates exercises and movements have been brought to Susan’s exercise table and menu of choice, she is much more fully aware of the application of such “mindful movement” in all her other activities; yoga, horseback riding, running, etc. At least that’s what Susan has become comfortably aware of as she mentally translates the work performed in one mode to that of another. Thus, achieving the “tuck and lift” necessary for a TRX Forearm Pike is the same powerhouse connection required to achieve Snake & Twist. The practice and the progress is continuous.
Mindful vs Mindless Movement
As we age, our consciousness becomes more acute. Our movements become much more purposeful. Our mindfulness to our actions becomes more apparant. We are smarter, wiser and frankly, much more stingy with our time. Time and energy are far more precious to us.
Thus, time spent throwing, lifting and pushing weights around for the achievement of a few cuts in the arm or a few ridges in the abdominals becomes boring, tiring and to the thinking person, feels wasted and mindless.
Whereas, moving the body through a coordinated sequence of movements with conscious, mindful attention to both stability and oppositional resistance; using control, full range of motion and fluid grace can be absolutely mind-blowing!
Essentially, that is how Susan feels at the end of her weekly session. The work has really changed the way she moves.
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Gina Jackson, is a classically trained Pilates Teacher and has been teaching along the Gold Coast of Hudson and Bergen County, NJ for the past fifteen+ years.
Certified by Power Pilates of New York, Gina has trained with Master Teachers Bob Liekens, Susan Moran and Brett Howard; loved workshop training with Cary Regan and Blossom Leilani-Crawford and has particularly enjoyed listening to the personal stories as told by Pilates Elders, Kathy Grant and Lolita San Miguel.
An active teacher and blogger, Gina manages a private personal training business supporting a myriad of clients, teaching all to honor their health, strength and life with the principles of Pilates at its core.