A new year begins…the Pilates body & mind in 2016

There’s something about January 1st that gives us a chance to take stock, to breathe and to know that the longest day is behind us as the promise of spring and brighter days awaits.In truth 365 days of possibility, opportunity and uncharted experiences lie ahead. Good, bad and of course at times more challenging than any of us would perhaps willingly choose.

Today I opened up my email to receive the most wonderful message from someone I taught some time ago. It is always lovely to hear from previous clients etc but what made this message so special was the attached drawings she had previously done and decided to finally give me..

Suddenly I realized just what Pilates had meant to someone I was lucky enough to introduce Pilates too, truthfully I had no idea at the time just what an impact our wonderful Method was having but these pictures capture not only exactly what I love about Pilates but also what I try to bring to my classes and to the people participating.

The Pilates body and mind to me is not only strong and flexible but resilient and able to embrace whatever comes along. The strength is found in not giving up but accepting that even the smallest efforts can result in great changes. That remaining flexible isn’t just about understanding the stretch reflex but also knowing that the mind and body are intrinsically linked to the spirit. The more generous we are with our knowledge and confident we are with sharing what we know as teachers and students the more we ourselves gain in our own practice and understanding of the Pilates Method.

As I look forward to the year ahead, to teaching Pilates Retreats in Italy and Pilates breaks in Cyprus from May through October. To being part of the extraordinary event that will be the Inaugural Pilates conference on the Isle of Man in July.http://ift.tt/1Ukmfe8 .

To travelling back to New York and New Jersey in September to see both Pilates and non Pilates friends and where inspiration is found in a vision of scarlet and where relaxation is most definitely never in the same sentence as Pilates.

But most importantly to exploring and challenging myself to face my fears, to take opportunities as they arise. My only resolution this year is to embrace more of everything and to consciously limit the impact of my own fears. I hope whatever you have or haven’t got planned for 2016 it brings you more than you can possibly imagine. In the meantime I am just a happy Pilates teacher pleased to be drawn with color, humor and instruments of torture!

Wishing you a wonderful 2016 All!

With Pilates Love,

Suzy

http://ift.tt/1UIvAfb

 

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Pilates style and Christmas ideas for the Pilates lover

December has arrived and finally I can now embrace the Christmas spirit and let my inner sparkle loose. Like many teachers I will be working right up to the wire before taking time out for family, friends and a chance to volunteer over the Holiday season. If like me you are time poor I’ve put some Pilates Christmas gift ideas together just in case you are still looking for inspiration. I will only recommend what I’ve tried and tested, I’ve had no freebies, no incentives other than great products from fantastic small businesses. Santa if your listening please put some legwarmers in my stocking…

Pilates style…

Take a look at the wonderful clothing line at http://gymluxe.com/ I was fortunate enough to discover this line of clothing at a fitness exhibition and loved their look. I’m not really a Lycra, crop top sort of girl, my dancer self still needs layers and ease of movement to add on and take off as I warm up and cool down, both when I work out and when I teach. It does not get better than this and the quality has withstood the rigors of teaching full time which is no small test.

Eat well, be well…

If its time to reconsider your approach to eating start with http://ift.tt/1vyytFK run by the inspirational Toral. Her food, her workshops, her passion will make you reassess the way you look at food and the way you can choose to look after yourself. This is not about denying yourself but nourishing yourself. Invest in a healthier you for 2016.

A healthy heart…

Consider buying a gift that helps others. I will be volunteering for http://ift.tt/TKMOxe but they have an online shop where you can purchase things for the animal lovers in your circle. There is also http://ift.tt/1MDZQ7a The fantastic thing about this site is that you can find things which will personally appeal to your loved ones. A blanket for a chilly granny anyone?

Massage away the working week.

As a qualified Reflexologist I cannot say enough how important Massage therapy and taking time to heal the body is. I go to my local salon for a chance to slow down http://ift.tt/1Ns1i0j, a family run business rather than a large chain has the added bonus of making me feel part of the community. Wherever you are most Salons offer vouchers, so if you haven’t done it yet why not pop in and step out a more sparkly version of yourself whilst picking up something for a friend.

 

The fountain of Knowledge.

For those truly passionate about Pilates consider ordering

The Red Thread: The Integrated System and Variations of Pilates – The Mat : Kathryn Ross Nash. 

 

This book is a true gift for any Pilates enthusiast, think of it more as a reference book than a ‘How to’ book as its full of experience, knowledge and fun, alternatively you could pick up a copy of Fix your feet using the Pilates Method (also Kathryn Ross-Nash). Its an easy and affordable way to improve the practice of anyone that loves Pilates and will gain some serious Brownie points for Christmas..

Time out and Tune in on a Pilates Retreat.

Why not think about gifting a package of Pilates classes, 1-1’s or even a Pilates Retreat for 2016 http://ift.tt/1MY6CXJ. We run Pilates Retreats and Pilates breaks in Italy and Cyprus and will happily put a Christmas package together. We might be biased but we believe our Pilates Holidays really do provide you with an opportunity to put the greatest investment in yourself you can. Over a four day weekend or six day break you will experience intensive Pilates, stunning views and healthy food with a little dose of indulgence. After all Pilates is about balance not extreme living.What better way than to start the New Year looking forward to a Pilates break!

So that’s some of my Christmas Pilates ideas…Thank you for reading and of course feel free to let me know about products you like and use, we love discovering other small businesses to support and advocate

Let the sparkle begin….

Suzy Mitchell

http://ift.tt/1UIvAfb

 

 

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Pilates for life….Pilates for dogs

A dogs life….

I’ve been blessed to have dogs in my life for a long as I can remember. I’ve always loved large dogs the best, always rescues and rarely the dog I thought I wanted but always the one I was meant to have and the one I needed to learn the most from.

Oscar (pictured left) is my oldest and he is reaching his end days. Sometimes working with bodies and watching bodies can be as much a curse as a gift, the smallest shift of movement patterns that would go unseen by others are immediate to me. I see, I feel and I try to help.

I knew Oscar’s issues were neural and not muscular, the sudden mal co ordination, his seeming ambivalence to something that was clearly slowing him down and debilitating his everyday adventures. I followed my Pilates professionalism and instinct and had a Vet look at him. My darkest fears were realized, there’s nothing they can do but at least there is no pain. As I’ve mentioned before I don’t adhere to the term weakness when I’m working, there are merely strengths to be worked on. I’ve worked with enough clients with terminal cancer to know and understand my limitations but this is a member of my family. And it hurts not to be able to ‘do something’.

I’ve been contacted by a wonderful Pilates teacher offering help with Osteopathy, +AlisonSalmond you cant know how grateful I was for your offer of help and positive attitude and a wonderful example of social media bringing people together. This weekend we brought him to the country, yesterday we walked in the torrential rain just because he loves it so, he always loved mud the best, today he stopped, he didn’t want to go on, its the first time he’s ever done that, and I heard the crack of my heart as my partner gently walked him home whilst I continued with my youngest pups eager to challenge giant pigs and play Russian roulette with donkeys who’ve been there, done that and kicked the tush of an over exuberant dog.

Just as I have done many times before I put one step in front of the other and I breathed, I watched the river, previously a gentle stream racing forward, taking everything with it not strong enough to withstand its powerful force. I tried to get my biggest boy to find a calmer presence amongst some very patient ponies whilst I considered my options for my oldest and now weakest. When we arrived back Oscar was waiting, guarding, watching and very much present, his spirit is vital, his body the only thing that is failing. And so here I am in my moment being forced to take one day at a time, having been reminded gently by those that care that even lying in front of the fire can be enough sometimes.

I don’t know what tomorrow will bring, even if I deep down I do, my Pilates training has taught me all I can do is my very best in life, with energy, with positivity and with a passion for life but just sometimes I wish I didn’t see the changes, didn’t feel the subtleties, didn’t notice the river rushing forward because sometimes you are forced to wander where the previous nine years went. So tonight I will love, tonight I will let tomorrow find itself and I will let my Old man sleep by the fire, knowing that however much we think we as humans can change things, the river will always move forward. I am a Pilates teacher but tonight I am a broken hearted one being reminded that letting go is as important as holding tight.

With love to All the Pilates community

Suzy

http://ift.tt/1UIvAfb,

 

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Just One Step in Front of the Other, Imprinting Footprints through Pilates

We buried a friend last Saturday, we said goodbye to a kind, loving man I wish I had known longer. Once again the sands of time so frequently governed by Cancer had run their time too soon. As is so often the case at funerals you learn so much more about the person you knew. This man was a teacher, not a Pilates teacher but a school teacher who has left so many footprints in Children’s lives that it’s not even possible to perceive of this man’s presence not changing lives for generations to come.

When we choose to teach as a profession, whether it may be in a University or in a Pilates class, we leave footprints. Not only the lives of our clients, but of our loved ones, our children, our friends and our colleagues. Everything we advocate sends a ripple, a resonance which relies on trust to propel it forward onto greater things. Passion, knowledge and experience are only worth having if you have the humility to share them respectfully, graciously and with integrity. It is a choice where we as professionals sit in a profession that is increasingly being sold out to profit, ego and point scoring. I have never said I was anything more (or less than) a Pilates class teacher, just like my rescue hounds I am an indeterminable mixture of schooling and Pedigree. But I do love what I do, I love many of the people I am fortunate to work and train along side and I do believe the heart of this work should be protected fiercely. I have seen many judged on their passion, mistakenly accused of arrogance, imperialistic attitudes and Bullying. Since when did having an opinion make someone a Bully?, that easy over political correctness just  makes light of what can be a very significant problem within the Teaching profession. Teaching is tough because learning can be tough. If we are not learning we are not truly teaching from the heart but from what someone else tells us is so, without question. When we are lucky enough to find the right teachers in our lives, it’s our job to treasure them, question them, challenge them and to respect them unequivocally, even when their opinion differs from ours. Just as we take care of our clients, professionally, carefully and with integrity these qualities should surely be Industry standard.

So whether you are fortunate to be learning from a friend living with cancer, his extraordinary wife and children. Whether you are blessed enough to have friends, clients or colleagues that share their Pilates and life lessons honestly and openly. Whether you are blessed enough to have the most amazing Mentors and teachers steering you through storms, both professional and personal. Focus your energy of being THAT kind of teacher. We owe it to ourselves like I owe it to my Pilates class students. Imprint your footprints through life with passion, with knowledge, with humility, with learning with laughter and be kind to yourself. In the words of my friend just ‘be the blessing you want to be in others lives’.

 

 

To absent friends.

May your journey be guided by love.

Suzy

http://ift.tt/1UIvAfb
http://ift.tt/1KFNkZ9

Looking forward to the next Pilates class.

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A little NYC humour…

Go on be honest, we’ve all done it  

 

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Loving NYC….with Deborah Lessen

  

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Just one step in front of the other....

We buried a friend last Saturday, we said goodbye to a kind, loving man I wish I had known longer. Once again the sands of time so frequently governed by Cancer had run their time too soon. As is so often the case at funerals you learn so much more about the person you knew. This man was a teacher, not a Pilates teacher but a school teacher who has left so many footprints in Children's lives that its not even possible to perceive of this mans presence not changing lives for generations to come.

When we choose to teach as a profession, regardless of the subject. We leave footprints. Not only the lives of our clients, but of our loved ones, our children, our friends and our colleagues. Everything we advocate sends a ripple, a resonance which relies on trust to propel it forward onto greater things. Passion, knowledge and experience are only worth having if you have the humility to share them respectfully, graciously and with integrity. It is a choice where we as professionals sit in a profession that is increasingly being sold out to profit, ego and point scoring. I have never said I was anything more (or less than) a Pilates teacher, just like my rescue hounds I am an indeterminable mixture of schooling and Pedigree. But I do love what I do, I love many of the people I am fortunate to work and train along side and I do believe the heart of this work should be protected fiercely. I have seen many judged on their passion, mistakenly accused of arrogance, imperialistic attitudes and Bullying. Since when did having an opinion make someone a Bully?, that easy over political correctness just  makes light of what can be a very significant problem within the Teaching profession. Teaching is tough because learning can be tough, if we are not learning we are not truly teaching from the heart but from what someone else tells us is so, without question. When we are lucky enough to find the right teachers in our lives, its our job to treasure them, question them, challenge them and to respect them unequivocally, even when their opinion differs from ours. Just as we take care of our clients, professionally, carefully and with integrity these qualities should surely be Industry standard.

So whether you are fortunate to be learning from a friend living with cancer, his extraordinary wife and children. Whether you are blessed enough to have friends, clients or colleagues that share their Pilates and life lessons honestly and openly. Whether you are blessed enough to have the most amazing Mentors and teachers steering you through storms, both professional and personal. Focus your energy of being THAT kind of teacher. We owe it to ourselves, imprint your footprints through life with passion, with knowledge, with humility, with learning with laughter and be kind to yourself. In the words of my friend just 'be the blessing you want to be in others lives'.

To absent friends.

May your journey be guided by love.

Suzy

www.seraphinapilates.com