An interesting phenomenon takes place this time of year in the North East US when the weather is at it's gloomiest and debts are at their highest after the holidays. Sociologists have labeled it the Blue period and not coincidentally it is the time of year when most good intentions fail ( i.e. resolutions). I've been focusing on the idea of Energy this month and during this particular week I wondered if there are any secret weapons that might help ward off the blues. Turns out there are and they coincide nicely with three of our six core Real Pilates principles, Legacy, Nutrition and Integration.
1. Dry Brushing. We love taking our cues from good old Uncle Joe - this one right out of his Your Health book. Dry brushing has long been known to improve circulation and clean the pores thoroughly. Read our very own Kira Lamb's post on this topic here . A perfect nod to our Pilates legacy.
2. Energizer Ingredients. Nutrition is the most powerful anti-depressant you can enlist. Vitamin D, St. John's Wort and Licorice are 3 powerful options to beat the winter "greys"!. I recommend a daily "no matter what" walk in natural daylight and a regular diet of fish (and egg yolks if you have no objections) as well a St. John's Wort tea three times a week and a Licorice tincture as a mood booster.
3. Synthesize it! Integration can be overwhelming. What we really need is to focus on three tasks per day that support all our other big goals. I'm a big fan of Power of Less by Leo Babauta. Take this cue and create a night before list of the three Most Important Tasks each day. Do those items first. Everything else is secondary. True integration of all of your tasks and visions must start very very small. More on Leo here.
~Alycea
More cool stuff you can't wait to read about including a Teaser Video below!
Can you stick it?
If you missed Keren Hawkins Flat Abs workshop - you can see her in action here. Visit our Youtube channel to watch her demonstrate Teaser. She sticks it like a gymnast - can you feel it? Try it at home without the bar - it's just as mean!
It's a one-stop resource, separated into exercises for beginner, intermediate, and advanced fitness levels. This book demonstrates how to practice Pilates from the comfort of your home or office.
"With body, mind, and spirit functioning perfectly as a coordinated whole, what else could reasonably be expected other than an active, alert, disciplined person."
- Joseph Pilates, Return to Life Through Contrology
