Physical fitness is the first requisite of happiness.

Physical fitness is the first requisite of happiness. Our interpretation of physical fitness is the attainment and maintenance of a uniformly developed body with a sound mind fully capable of naturally, easily, and satisfactorily performing our many and varied daily tasks with spontaneous zest and pleasure. Joseph Pilates

What a wonderful statement ‘a sound mind fully capable of naturally, easily, and satisfactorily performing our many and varied daily tasks with spontaneous zest and pleasure

This encapsulates why people enjoy participating in Pilates, it is a physical system (and remember it is a system built over mat and many varied Pilates machines) that is about posture – bringing us back to 8 loadable joints, that is not just about physical fitness, jumping, higher, driving the ball further, staying injury free, (while you get all those benefits as well)

but is about having a body that is in balance that assists you and how you live your life and lets you move with ease.

Since this wonderful system was developed our style of living has changed considerably, we have remotes for everything, drive everywhere, sit most of the time and forget that we are bodies of energy and movement for health and well being is essential. When we are not moving we become stagnant and this can manifest it losing flexibility and pain from postural dysfunction.

We owe it to our clients that spend most of their day in flexion to open them up, starting classes with some balance and breathing work, (open up and balance your clients they will love you for it)

Then some extensions work with our lovely swan dive, grasshopper or breaststroke, even the simple cat to camel. Open their chests to allow for the shoulder/scapular stability that we are all so conscious in our cuing; indeed open them up so they can breathe!

Our intention in our class plans should be based on who is coming to our class, not following the running order blindly, which as we all know is very flexion oriented in its first 9 or so exercises.

So take a moment think about your next course, pick exercises that bring your clients back into balance, opened up and feeling taller – they will love you for it and more importantly they will come back for more

If you are interested in becoming a Pilates Instructor or up-skilling workshops with up to the minute information then call the PROGRESSIVE Pilates Academy (ERPI M) Irelands Number 1 Mind Body Educator 01 868 4600 www.bodyfirmpilates.com