This is one of my favourite quotes …

I was not always aware of how important my body was.

Especially when I was younger – I felt invincible.

Over the years I’ve pushed, neglected and even unconsciously punished my body.

As we become more aware, and realise how precious and sensitive our body really is we start to listen to it more, honour it, speak to it with more loving words, pay more attention to what it wants and needs.

Many of us come to realise the importance of our body, some at different times than others, and sadly many don’t realise at all.

Yet even when and if we do become aware, we still don’t always make the best choices for our body. This is because we’re human, we are not a machine, we falter, we make mistakes, we forget, but this is all part of the journey.

I’m still having awakenings, they seem to get better and better, even at 53 years old.

I try my best to listen to my body, now it seems I do it more than ever before.

I’ve learnt so many lessons in my journey, (often the hard way) like getting injured or sick.

Our body is our souls home for just a limited time, while we’re on this earth. Treating this home with love and care needs to be our goal, if we want to live our life to the fullest. A healthy life is one that is pain free, with vibrance, energy, fun and longevity.

I’m sharing these thoughts today, because I’ve had a second shoulder injury, which stopped me doing my normal Pilates and Weights routine for a year now! I am having treatment for it and I may need surgery so for now, I’ve been walking and stretching and some Pilates but not the usual strength work I like to do.

I have felt like my body has changed, it’s tired and weaker than normal, it’s asking me to rest, not push it. I must return back to more movement, and I will, but I’m taking it slow, I’m honouring my body. I’m loving my body, as it has changed shape, as it has lost tone, and just feels different than before. It is still my home, it is still me, it has carried me through the treatments, and I am grateful and I love it for that.

The body maybe precious yet it is also resilient and it will return with energy again, but for now it’s the way it is. I’m accepting, I’m giving it what it needs, relaxation and gentle movement.  The little things that help to recover the body when it needs down time are so important. Often things I don’t always do enough of.

The key is to also do these things without guilt, without fear or regret. Honouring what our body needs, but also treating our mind with the same care, as they are all connected.

It took me many years to realise it’s ok to listen to the body, it’s ok to relax if I want and when I want. Lessons that may come easier to others, but for me I’m still remembering the days when I did not listen, as some were not that long ago.

So, I like to share what’s happening with me, as I see so many of my clients coming back from surgery, injury, accidents, and or sickness, and I wanted you to know it’s ok to take time to come back. There’s no rush, there is no need to push your body before it’s ready.

Take the time to honour your body, check in and ask it what it really wants and needs. Make sure you’re not driven by the ego, by your own mind and it’s wants and needs. So make sure you’re not overriding the body and it’s messages to get to a place you “think” you should be at.

We are so too often influenced by society, and what we think is expected of us, or what we want for ourselves. It may not always be what we need at the time.

Take the time to stop and listen – hear your intuition.

If you want to get back to some gentle exercise then our Pilates Introductory Program will be perfect for you.

This is an 8 week, progressive course introducing all the necessary Pilates basic knowledge to build the skills needed to safely join a mixed level class.

Please note: This course is held at Avoncroft Arts Centre (Main Hall) on Mondays at 7pm – 7.45pm. The next 8 week course begins on Monday 19^th July.

Investment £64.00

Please note: You will need to bring a mat with you to the session. 

If you would like to enrol onto our next beginners Pilates course starting tomorrow, we have a couple of places available or if you would like any further information, don’t hesitate to contact Nicki at nicolacarless@aol.com

Nicki x

 

 

 

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