Presence and Stillness
Twenty Twenty Two
This year has felt a little like resurfacing. I have made some fundamental changes, simplified many aspects of my teaching out of a necessity to teach from a place of balance, not burn out.
I’ve travelled more, connected with some incredible people and dived deep into some inner work. Perspectives have shifted, and I have put more value on my time and energy and my own personal self development.
GRATITUDE
Working with Maria Earle took me to Barcelona this year (three times). I will never stop learning and evolving as a teacher. I have studied pilates for nearly fifteen years, this year I dived deep into the realms of language and communication. It’s inspired me to begin creating a program for teachers. The subtle yet hugely powerful way we communicate our message, often overlooked in our training programs. the unspoken gift of connection and communication.
Little do you know how much you have taught me. Every student of mine (that’s probably you at some point) is teaching me how to teach better. Those that sometimes don’t understand my cues (you know who you are) are teaching me how to communicate better. Those of you that show up week on week, you are teaching me how valuable I am. Thank you, thank you. You are valuable to me.
SLOW DOWN
Rest. I’ve totally overlooked this for most of my adult life. I’ve valued striving, passion, purpose and forward motion, literally full steam ahead. This drive got me here, and I’m thankful. BUT I’m entering a new phase, I could write a book, the title would be “From Ironman to Couch” ( actually I am trying to write a book, “The Platinum Crucible” - is the current title, more on that another time). One thing this year has taught me, there is magic in slowing down, pure golden magic. Life is more expansive, your intuition surfaces and moments of pure serendipity start to happen. Slowing down, I can highly recommend it. Get outside, turn off your phone, spend five minutes noticing your breath, take three deep breaths, savour your coffee, wake up earlier, turn off noise, listen when you’re talking to someone, say no more often, practise gratitude….I know you know.
PRESENCE
The theme of presence has been a key player this year. I have been working on being more present for myself, turning inward, quietening the mind, sitting in more stillness. It’s a superpower to slow down, soften and to listen. To strive to listen more than we speak is a lesson we could all use from time to time. In my teaching, I hold space for you to soften around the edges, to listen, to become present in your own body, present with your own sensations and breath. This I believe is the gold we all love, Pilates gives us the framework to explore being present. I hope I inspire this lesson in you and I hope you can pass it on. How can you be more present in 2023?