Greetings!
I have the distinct joy of being a part of a fabulous retreat upstate New York at Menla where I am taking a week long immersion on the Vajra body under the tutelage of Richard Freeman, Robert Thurman and John Cambpell. It seems almost preposterous that this month's pre-established theme at Real Pilates is Sustainability given that I landed in this magical place surrounded by long standing experts, yogis and the most serene wilderness at the exact moment it was time to write this post.
A bit of background. I have dabbled in Yoga for years but never been consumed by it as I have by Pilates. About two years ago I found some Ashtanga classes that resonated with me and in exploring the intricacies of the system found a new love of my beloved Pilates practice. Looking at Pilates through a Yoga lens helped me deconstruct my existing practice and teaching methodologies. Deconstruction as it turns out, habitually leads to reinvention. This cycle as it turns out is the very essence of sustainability. Deconstructing and reinventing keeps you perpetually moving forward.
The reason I adore Pilates is that it truly and fully sustains me all while beautifully merging these two related impulses of deconstruction and reinvention. This process means that whatever decade I enter, whatever physical limitation or benchmark I achieve or what ever else should present itself along the way, I am well prepared. In Pilates (as in Yoga) you have a system that can be modified, adjusted, recreated, redrafted, intensified, amplified and more. The unique malleability of the system means that it serves you and sustains you, no matter what.
This summer as we break from our usual routines, reflect on your Pilates practice. Choose an exercise that makes you uncomfortable and break it down. Find a moment in the move that is truly enjoyable and then re-build it to your liking. I recommend you also take time to enjoy new things, physically and mentally. In doing so, consider how your Pilates practice has influenced your ability to enjoy other activities. They may be bold influences or subtle ones, but if you stop to think about it, I'm sure that you'll agree, your Pilates practice supports and sustains the rest of your life in immeasurable ways.
Have a wonderful 4th of July,where ever you may be.
Warmly, Alycea
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