Finding Joy in Movement

I sometimes reflect on my journey into Pilates and what it has meant to me. I wasn't a naturally sporty child at school. Having chronic and poorly controlled asthma meant that lots of sport was just not for me. I dreamt of running Chariots of Fire style across beaches, but the closest I got was a very dusty cross country run across the desert at school, and netball in the blistering heat. I didn't realise that the reason I loved water skiing and the occasional Jane Fonda workout so much as a teenager was because of how it made me feel. I was in it for the adrenaline and the lycra! I had a natural mistrust and dislike of my body. It just didn't seem to work like everyone else's.

I spent years feeling like my body wasn't very capable, despite joining multiple group exercise classes and gym sessions. Asthma, osteoarthritis, knock knees and hypermobilty were all mentioned to me as barriers to exercise by health and fitness professionals rather than the very reason that I should be doing it. Many of us feel that are bodies are less than perfect, or that they are letting us down. I came to Pilates feeling exactly like that.

I found Pilates by chance. I'd had had two enormous babies in three years and my body wasn't coping or recovering well. A physio told me in no uncertain terms that I should do some Pilates to avoid ending up a stooped and shuffling old lady by my middle age. I joined a large group class at a gym and it's fair to say that I was rubbish. I felt like I'd been nailed to the floor and I had no idea what the instructor wanted from me. I left feeling very deflated.

Then, just as I was feeling like all was lost, a friend qualified as a Pilates instructor. Talk about the planets aligning! I went to my first class as one of six participants and BANG the lightbulb switched on in my head. This was how I always wanted to feel! Strong and centred and, most importantly, in control of my body and not at its mercy. It was so powerful to finally be in control and to feel proud of my body and what it could achieve. There's no other feeling like it! Yes, I still get niggles in my back and neck, but I don't live in fear of them or worry about them. As long as I stay strong and keep moving I'm winning!

I really want every client that comes through my studio door to have that same lightbulb moment and to experience the sheer joy that comes from gaining strength, confidence and a love of their body.