In an attempt to achieve wellness, many people during Pilates class focus only on outward appearance. But did you know that there is common sense that in order to achieve the look you want, you first need to focus on your emotions so that they are reflected on your outside? I firmly believe in this theory and feel that whatever is going on internally will be reflected externally in whatever form, whether it is during Pilates class or not.
Society today encourages momentary gratifications. It is very common to find people who want quick solutions to situations, immediate answers to some questions, ready guarantees instead of trust, acceptance by others, etc. I challenge you to examine yourself and see if you are experiencing problems similar to the ones I just mentioned. If so, I challenge you to reflect on this and understand how these issues are affecting you externally. If you stop for a moment and listen to your heart, you will find the answers to what you are looking for. Learn to trust yourself and your outward appearance will be a reflection of your inner beauty.
The Pilates Class
Now let’s understand how this concept is related to the Pilates Method. Do you agree that most people decide to take Pilates classes for outside benefits? There are many people who practice Pilates regularly and feel as if they are achieving the physical benefits they were hoping for as a result.
Well, I can tell you from my personal experience that changes will not happen until you look deep inside yourself and notice the inner issues that are being reflected in your outer image.
There are many ways you can sabotage your success – negativity, insecurity, lack of self-esteem, exercising too much and lack of nutritious food, etc. Yes, you can see temporary changes in your body, but if you really want to see it change permanently, you must challenge yourself on the inside to have it reflected on the outside.
If you are stuck in this type of situation, you may not recognize this behavior in your life. Many people use this difficult process as a security guard. Look for signs. For example, if you find yourself always letting yourself down and focusing on negative thoughts, you can be sure they will be reflected in your outward appearance. If you are training more than you should, in the extreme, if you deprive yourself of sleep and avoid recovery time, your body will reflect the neglect, and the results you are looking for will be affected.
“The Pilates Method recognizes that monthly changes are blocked if they get too much attention. They have to grow naturally, they cannot be forced. In the Pilates Method, the emphasis is on doing and being. Your mind is directed to your body, focusing on what is happening as it happens. Learning, growing, and integrating, like changes in body shape, are achieved with activity, without conscious stress on goals. You must be concerned about the present; the future takes care of itself.
This is one of the reasons the Pilates Method is so much more than an exercise for me. It requires you to step away from this crazy world and enter a space of engagement between mind and body.
“Other quick exercise systems get boring, mainly because you don’t have a sense of involvement in what you’re doing. All you care about is going through a certain number of repetitions in a certain amount of time. It doesn’t matter how you do these moves, as long as you finish them. Distractions – music, counting aloud – are the only reliefs. This type of exercise is ineffective and almost impossible to take advantage of. The best each person can do with this is to achieve a little pleasure from their own effort. The Pilates Method is different. It embodies your physical and mental process so that you are not just an observer, watching your own difficulties, but a participant. When you finish your Pilates class, you will feel refreshed. Energized. Every muscle is stretched, toned, and massaged.”
In conclusion…
If you really want to change your body, you must love yourself first and start with issues of insecurity and inner protection that may be holding your body back from achieving well-being. Your body is the only one you have and it is the temple in which you experience life. Respect yourself enough to take care of your mind and your physique, whether through Pilates class or for self-love.