So, yesterday was my first day actually trying pilates and I have to say if you have not tried (proper) pilates, give it a go. Seriously. First off, nothing like yoga aside from the breathing component. Secondly, it is the most aware that I have EVER been. I feel that I am pretty intuitive to my body and when I strength train I have the ability to focus on particular muscles quite easily, but lying on the mat with my eyes closed and really listening to my body is quite incredible. When I was younger, I had read a book about an Olympic figure skater and she would do these exercises where she would lie on the floor and imagine a ball of energy traveling from the top of her head, through her neck, through her arms to her fingertips, and so forth to the other parts of her body. I remember thinking about this and actually trying it when I was younger and it is absolutely a cool feeling. Give it a go. Lie on the floor, close your eyes and just focus on your breathing. Then, imagine a ball of silver energy starting in your brain and picture it moving through your body, coursing through your veins and making its way to all of your body. For me, I feel the difference, but again, I find that I am more in tune to my body and what not, so it may take practice for some.
The pictures below will show you some of the machines that we use and while at a first glance they may look like types of machines found in certain fetish dungeons, I can assure you that they are used strictly for pilates (during the day anyhow...I cannot guarantee what happens at night ;) ):
(That's me in the mirror. I look skinny haha....they also have great mirrors!)
Visualization is amazing. Anyhow, this is similar to what doing pilates was like for me. Annabel would talk me through what was happening, what to focus on, and keeping my body still while moving parts separately from one another. It was slow, intense, and focused....something I think that people need in their day to day lives. I was so excited and revitalized after that class that last night before bed, I tried all the things on the floor and then in bed again. I also found out that I have been standing and walking incorrectly for most of my life. I am finding that what pilates focuses on is engaging your whole body to ensure you don't lose the support of one part to gain balance in another if that makes any sense. For example, stand up. Now, lift one leg off the floor slightly. You will notice that the pressure shifts to the opposite side. Your hip drops, your shoulder droops as a result, and your other foot will experience immense pressure. Put your foot back down. Try it again, this time being conscious of your core being tight and engaged and focus on NOT letting your hip dip to the opposite side. It's hard, but this is how repetitive injuries happen! Crazy! I spent 30 years walking one way, to find out that it probably wasn't the best.
For those of you that have the Wii Fit, whenever you go to a new activity a little white screen will come up with your little Mii's body in the corner and a green circle that hovers around the screen depending on where your pressure is put. Try stepping on it and keeping the green circle in the direct center. that means the pressure is equal.
Anywho, that was first shot at pilates and I am quite excited to see where this goes! My next class is tomorrow, so I have somethings to work on before then. In addition to that, my eating habits have been utter crap. Not going to lie. I have not been cooking, I have not been prepared, and I have literally, not cared and that sucks. Therefore, I am back to "journalling" my food here. Sorry!
Breakfast: 2 eggs with 2 tbsp of organic white cheddar cheese/coffee X2/some sort of fruit bar
Snack: Hummus & chips (probably around 12 or so)
Lunch: apple/beet/carrot juice & quinoa
Snack: hard boiled egg & peanut butter/banana on rice cakes
Supper: Salmon & garden salad
Snack:
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