April Showers...

 It is officially springtime! Are you like me, and love all things related to Spring? Tree buds, pastel colors, longer days… and of course, April rain showers! Rain always reminds me of my time spent in Vancouver (for those who don’t know, I spent two years commuting and living in Vancouver for my Pilates teacher training, and it is where I go regularly to update my GYROKINESIS® training).

There is just something about being near the ocean and how those raindrops feel! One of the major themes in Joseph Pilates book, Return to Life, is circulation. He writes: “Bodily House-Cleaning with Blood Circulation –This is the equivalent of an “internal shower”….As a heavy rainstorm freshens the water of a sluggish or stagnant stream and whips it into immediate action, so Contrology exercises purify the blood in the bloodstream and whip it into instant action…”  (p.22, Return to Life) 

You have probably experienced this “internal shower” effect at some point during your Pilates sessions – most often, it happens fairly quickly in the Hundred Exercise! Blood and oxygen flows freely as your body warms up, and it is not uncommon to have flushed cheeks or skin as you make your way to 10 full breaths.

Circulation goes hand in hand with breathing (our pulmonary system), and they work together to purify and detoxify our blood as we move through our Pilates exercises. Have you ever noticed how really connecting to your breath during an exercise can help you push through a plateau, or go a bit further than the last time you did the same exercise? By breathing fully and getting blood to a “stagnant” area, you will start to wake up cells, nerves and muscle fibres and allow them to work to their full potential. 

Do you truly breathe fully during your Pilates workout? I’ll be honest, even I sometimes catch myself holding my breath at times! Here’s a mini-challenge for you – for your next Pilates workout, challenge yourself to use your breath to create your own internal shower, and see how exhilarated you feel afterwards. '

xo,L 

Note: There is historical footage of Mr. Pilates himself demonstrating how to properly shower. I won’t be producing a video to show you how to do this, but if you would like to see the historical video, I can probably arrange that :)  

Disclaimer: The content of this blog is for informational purposes only, and is the sole property of Flow Pilates & Wellness. I am not a doctor nor a registered dietician, and this blog’s content is not intended as medical advice. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding your exercise routine or diet.