Pilates Saved My Life
Could pilates be your answer to recovery?
Pilates has, I believe, had the biggest positive influence on my road to recovery, not only through exercise which has helped to retrain my body and teach me about the importance of breathing control, but also the mental improvements that can be made through a practice which focuses on the connectivity between mind, body and soul.
Physical
18 months ago, I walked into my first ever 1:1 Pilates session holding my Mum's hand struggling to hold myself up and keep my shaky fragile body upright.
Today, I walked 30 minutes to my pilates group session, participated in the 60 minute class, then walked 30 minutes back to my apartment.
Although I used to belong to a gym and do rigorous and intense aerobic exercise, I am unable to do this now. I thought I would miss the rush of adrenaline. However, my Pilates classes leave me feeling more fulfilled both physically and mentally. Pilates does not put the same physical stress on my body, has taught me how to use my body weight to strengthen my muscles and how to control and co-ordinate my movements, as well as introducing me to a new way of exercise more suited to my current condition.
Mental
My pilates instructor was instrumental in building up my confidence and structured my exercises to encourage blood flow to my brain. She taught me not to give up, that I could turn everything around.
I found myself concentrating on every movement. This new focus gave my body a chance to breathe again. Thoughts that were attached to my condition and current state of health and mentality at the time, were put on pause whilst I was practising Pilates. It is a complete mind-body movement which benefits not only your physical body but also your mental health.
Prior to my first ever Pilates session I would repeat words like I can't, why me, I don't want to, I don't deserve it, I can't, I won't. Pilates was my first sign of hope. Hope that became a sign of freedom from darkness. My mind became clearer and words like I can, I will, I want to, I deserve to, replaced those phrases of negativity with positive notes and hope. I am very happy to be on this new journey.
Social
Due to my condition, socialising for the years prior to diagnosis and some months after, other than family, my social interactions were little to none. I had to postpone my studies; I could no longer go to the gym; I couldn’t work; and I couldn’t even go out to dinner with friends.
Pilates, beginning with 1:1 sessions and building up to group sessions, not only gave me the confidence to go out and be amongst other people, but also taught me how to breathe and overcome my constant fear of fainting.
Routine
Having a regular Pilates class to go to, brought routine back into my life and helped me to begin a new organised lifestyle.
The slow controlled flow of movements showed me that I could gain control of my body – its movements, its reactions, its overall wellbeing.
Exercises to balance mind and body
Give these exercises a go if you're feeling run down and overwhelmed. Here you can find a selection of some of my favourite movements that anyone can do from the comfort of your home.
Shoulder drops
Start by aligning yourself correctly in the relaxation position. Raise both arms vertically above your chest, shoulder-width apart, palms one another. Breath in as you reach one arm up towards the ceiling peeling the shoulder blade away from the mat. Breath out as you gently release the arm back down, returning the shoulder blade back onto the mat. repeat up to ten times.
Knee circles
Align yourself correctly into relaxation position. Fold one leg in towards your body with control and ben the knee further, fully relaxing the lower leg. Maintain an appropriate level of connection to your centre throughout.
Breath naturally, at your own pace, begin to circle your leg towards the mid-line of the body and then continue to circle the leg down, around and back up to the starting position. Draw your leg in a close to the body as is possible without disturbing the pelvis.
Finish up by returning the knee so that it is in line with the hip joint and then, maintain a stable pelvis, return your leg to the mat to finish in relaxation position. Repeat with the other leg five times in each direction.
The cat
Align yourself correctly inn the four-point kneeling position. Maintain an appropriate level of connection to your centre throughout. Breath in, preparing your body to move, and lengthen your spine.Breath out as you roll your pelvis underneath you, as if directing your tailbone between your legs. Continue this flexion and allow your upper back to round gradually, followed by your neck, and finally nod your head slightly forwards. This position is C-curved, and even and balanced C-shape of the spine. Breath in wide to lower the ribcage to help maintain this lengthened C-curve
Breath out simultaneously start to unravel thespian, sending the tailbone away from you, bringing the pelvis back to neutral as you also lengthen the head and upper spine back to the starting neutral position. Repeat up to ten times.
Reference, the pilates bible by Lynne Robinson, Lisa Bradshaw and Nathan Gardner.
