My last blog was about drifting at sea; I no longer feel like I am drifting, I can see the pathway and I’m treading boldly ahead. I still sometimes feel fear (apprehension), doubts and have challenging thoughts ‘what am I doing, where am I going, what am I looking for’?
I want to be the very best I can, best teacher, best mother, best daughter, best wife, best friend, best person. I am not suggesting better than others just the very best I can be. This means a lot of self-evaluation, looking inwards and questioning. Could I do that better, what is expected of me (what do I expect of myself), am I delivering or exceeding expectations, do I give enough and can I give more?
I am a working mum, building a new business, studying for new qualifications and not getting any younger!
At one of my classes this week I spoke with a client and he said how much he enjoys reading my blogs. I asked him what he wants me to write about and his answer was for me to write about me, my journey, my Yoga/Pilates practice and what I find difficult. He is currently attending one of my ‘Intermediate Pilates’ courses and wanted to know if I find any of the Pilates moves difficult? The answer is yes, Pilates is challenging and it is only with practice you will improve and it will get easier. There is one exercise/move, I simply cannot do! However it will not beat me; I will, with practice, crack it. On the Pilates courses I run, I set homework each week. Joseph Pilates himself expected all clients coming to his studio to practice at least 3 times a week. With home practice this is achievable.
Here is some feedback I have received from students on my courses:
Thank you for this. It is so helpful to have the homework to help reinforce and also ensure we can keep up the good work between sessions.
Thanks for our “Homework” and we look forward to seeing you next week.
It is so helpful to have the homework to help reinforce and also ensure we can keep up the good work between sessions. Thank you.
One of my biggest disappointments is when I lose a client or someone drops out of class because they feel unable to perform some of the Pilates moves, or find it is too difficult. This makes me really sad as with more practice and perseverance you will improve. You should never measure yourself against others, work at your own level and persevere. To me, it is like saying I am too hungry to eat so I will stop eating! It is only by eating again the hunger will go away.
My biggest difficulty is discipline to stop working! I am a self-confessed workaholic. This is intrinsic within me. I have always found it difficult to switch off. I seem to eat, sleep and dream work. The only time I almost stop is when I am exercising. It is the synchronisation of mind and body working together that allows you to switch off the work button and concentrate on the movement/exercise you are performing and your breathing. This can be Yoga or Pilates, running, swimming or other activities which require concentration of the mind and body. I have many people come to my classes for this very reason, giving them time to leave the stress of work (or a demanding family) elsewhere and allowing time to be in the moment.
I am currently studying Yoga, however as anticipated, I am unable to stop thinking or quieten my mind. My mind is true to the ‘drunken monkey’ analogy, it is never still and always on the go. I am always multi-tasking and find quietening my mind (meditation) impossible! Even when I give myself permission (time) to relax I am looking for things to do, I would be thinking, what else needs doing and look around for a distraction!
So where am I going with this blog, what is the message and what can you take away?
I want to be the very best I can, best teacher, best mother, best daughter, best wife, best friend, best person. I am not suggesting better than others just the very best I can be. This means a lot of self-evaluation, looking inwards and questioning. Could I do that better, what is expected of me (what do I expect of myself), am I delivering or exceeding expectations, do I give enough and can I give more?
I am a working mum, building a new business, studying for new qualifications and not getting any younger!
At one of my classes this week I spoke with a client and he said how much he enjoys reading my blogs. I asked him what he wants me to write about and his answer was for me to write about me, my journey, my Yoga/Pilates practice and what I find difficult. He is currently attending one of my ‘Intermediate Pilates’ courses and wanted to know if I find any of the Pilates moves difficult? The answer is yes, Pilates is challenging and it is only with practice you will improve and it will get easier. There is one exercise/move, I simply cannot do! However it will not beat me; I will, with practice, crack it. On the Pilates courses I run, I set homework each week. Joseph Pilates himself expected all clients coming to his studio to practice at least 3 times a week. With home practice this is achievable.
Here is some feedback I have received from students on my courses:
Thank you for this. It is so helpful to have the homework to help reinforce and also ensure we can keep up the good work between sessions.
Thanks for our “Homework” and we look forward to seeing you next week.
It is so helpful to have the homework to help reinforce and also ensure we can keep up the good work between sessions. Thank you.
One of my biggest disappointments is when I lose a client or someone drops out of class because they feel unable to perform some of the Pilates moves, or find it is too difficult. This makes me really sad as with more practice and perseverance you will improve. You should never measure yourself against others, work at your own level and persevere. To me, it is like saying I am too hungry to eat so I will stop eating! It is only by eating again the hunger will go away.
My biggest difficulty is discipline to stop working! I am a self-confessed workaholic. This is intrinsic within me. I have always found it difficult to switch off. I seem to eat, sleep and dream work. The only time I almost stop is when I am exercising. It is the synchronisation of mind and body working together that allows you to switch off the work button and concentrate on the movement/exercise you are performing and your breathing. This can be Yoga or Pilates, running, swimming or other activities which require concentration of the mind and body. I have many people come to my classes for this very reason, giving them time to leave the stress of work (or a demanding family) elsewhere and allowing time to be in the moment.
I am currently studying Yoga, however as anticipated, I am unable to stop thinking or quieten my mind. My mind is true to the ‘drunken monkey’ analogy, it is never still and always on the go. I am always multi-tasking and find quietening my mind (meditation) impossible! Even when I give myself permission (time) to relax I am looking for things to do, I would be thinking, what else needs doing and look around for a distraction!
So where am I going with this blog, what is the message and what can you take away?
- Don’t be too hard on yourself, be kind to yourself. Take time out and give a little time to yourself. (Lesson to me!)
- If you find something difficult with perseverance and practice you will improve.
- Do not measure your success against others accept we are all different.
- Don’t give up on yourself. You can do it.
Inspired Health and Fitness – The complete approach to health, fitness and wellbeing. See website for services available and testimonials.
Pauline Ward
Business Owner and Fitness Professional
Follow me on facebook: Inspired Health and Fitness
Follow me on twitter: @Pollywardy
Website: www.inspiredhealthandfitness.co.uk
Linkedin: Pauline Ward
Telephone: 07821 969405
Pauline Ward
Business Owner and Fitness Professional
Follow me on facebook: Inspired Health and Fitness
Follow me on twitter: @Pollywardy
Website: www.inspiredhealthandfitness.co.uk
Linkedin: Pauline Ward
Telephone: 07821 969405
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