Issue #428
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
Go with the Flow
by Dianne Gard
My focus today is less technique and rather a lesson I learned from observing the life of an amazing person, my Aunt Flo, who recently passed at age 95. Her faith and trust enabled her to truly “Go with the Flo(w)” of life. This adds dimension to the Flow principle of Pilates. I am sure we have had days where we don’t feel like practicing, and find those are the days we need it most. My mindset says to ease into it. Breathe. Concentrate (hello more Pilates principals). Follow the movement as it unfolds. Meet the challenges as they arise. Feel your body sensations. Soon I am flowing. The gift of the classical mat exercise rhythms, as dictated by Joe, guides me through even advanced movements. I feel my heart, body and spirit relax, even though, paradoxically, I am working hard. My body knows these exercises, so I trust them. I liken it to an ocean wave and I see again how the natural tide of repetition creating efficiency of movement carries me.
I recently heard again on a Pilates podcast that, as teachers, we are helping to make people connected to their bodies not only for healthy movement’s sake, but to create a heart connection through greater awareness of their feelings. We sometimes confuse feelings with emotions. Feelings are our body sensations: soft, tight, knotted, jittery, heavy, etc. We tend to be a “neck-up” culture, often in our minds, neglecting the messages constantly given by our bodies. Body sensations/feelings are amazing navigational guides for our life if we learn to listen to them, and Pilates is a fantastic way to really encourage neck-up AND neck-down awareness.
I might choose some of these cues when I see clients tensing in a challenging (level-appropriate) exercise: “Notice how your body feels right now. Try closing your eyes for a few moments. Where do you feel tension? If you feel resistance, perhaps allow your breath to carry you through the work. Imagine using the least amount of energy to accomplish the exercise. Where can you soften? Trust yourself.” Usually I immediately see a shift in body tension, better exercise execution, and continuity; less stopping/starting. I tend to not cue muscles as I think if the setup and load are appropriate, the body knows how to respond and work in balance. I love the quote: “Wherever there’s tension, it requires attention.” (Gabor Mate). Not that we shouldn’t work hard. Rather, notice where we are fighting the exercise that blocks better connection to our ease of movement, inner calm, and ultimately, heart.
Dianne’s love of movement, and background in multiple styles of dance, as well as a desire to help others, became the “strong whisper” that led her from a corporate environment to becoming a nationally certified Pilates teacher over fifteen years ago. A continuing education devotee, she is certified as a Scoliosis Coach and holds certification for coursework in Dance Movement Therapy. She has been a guest speaker and presenter at health events throughout the years. Dianne feels truly privileged and grateful to share the movement of Pilates as her career, and to witness its healing, for body and soul.