Need to de-load?

I know this becomes a crazy month for most of us. 

Commitments, demands and the building excitement pulling us in all directions.

This is when I find that the adaptability of Pilates comes into its own, and why I've made it the bedrock of all my other exercise. 

Depending on my training and what my current goals are, sometimes I focus on using it to build strength, stability and form.  Other times I use it to improve flexibility and mobility.

At this time of year, with so much going on in every area of life, I tend to adapt my Pilates practice to be purely restorative.

I change my approach to sessions and use them as a way to de-load and de-stress from all the other demands flying at me.  I focus more on the breathing, on how my body moves and feels any given day.

Basically I use it as an active meditation, and a way to ensure I'm in that moment.

I've tried traditional meditation numerous times, and whilst sometimes I "get it" a lot of times I struggle, ending up more frustrated than I started. Not exactly the aim of meditation.

So Pilates has always been my go to, moving helps me to focus on breathing and by focusing on how my body is moving and feeling, I can "quiet" my mind to improve my rest and recovery.

As stress, both mental and physical, has been shown to be one of the key risk factors in injury, this type of active management of it is vital.

So consider what you need from Pilates this month, and just adapt your approach accordingly. 

When everything else in life calms down and goes quiet in January, you'll be feeling restored, rested and ready to step up your training again!

I'll be right there with you with you doing the free Kick Start Challenge again too, so watch out for more details in the weekly newsletter soon!

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