UBUNTU WOMEN

Pilates = Healing

Johlet Dalais

As Joseph Pilates said; “Pilates is complete coordination of body, mind and spirit”, and that’s exactly what I experienced after suddenly losing my dad.

My journey with Pilates started only a few months before this horrible life event and I immediately

fell in love with the practice. I was about 24 when I started Pilates, and at that stage in my life I still

had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. But after being introduced to Pilates I knew that this is

something I wanted to further my knowledge in. I signed up for the BASI Mat course and it was

about 2 weeks before the course started that I received the news of my dad’s passing. I was

completely broken, devastated and felt lost. My dad was literally my best friend, not a day would

pass where we wouldn’t talk.


So, I moved to the next group course and when Ashley Ritchie asked us on the first day of the course

why Pilates my answer was; “I’m here for the mental strength it gives me, it’s my coping

mechanism.” It was something I couldn’t really put into words, but she understood.

You see, Pilates is not only a form of exercise, it’s a method that will help you do everything better.

From walking taller, to improving lung capacity or even to help you deal with a death of a loved one.


It’s an all in one workout and we concentrate on 10 Principles:

1. Awareness

2. Balance

3. Breath

4. Center

5. Control

6. Concentration

7. Efficiency

8. Flow

9. Harmony

10. Precision


When I look at these 10 Principles it becomes more and more clear why Pilates chose ME. I believe

everything in your life happens for a reason, even though 80% of the time it doesn’t make sense. I’m

sure the Pilates I’ve been doing the few months before my dad’s death prepared me for it.


Awareness – It made me aware of how easy life can be taken away from you, so enjoy every

moment.


Balance – Learn how to balance things in your life, work, personal, love and socially.


Breath – When things get too much, BREATHE!


Center – Check in every now and then with yourself, find your center again.


Control – You can’t control everything.


Concentration – It’s amazing how you can distract your mind by moving and concentrating on every

step.


Efficiency – I’m a planner and love making lists!


Flow – My dad was a go with the flow type of person and I’m still working on that.


Harmony – Pilates brought a lot of this into my life.


Precision – I’m all for this as my OCD habits tend to come in handy with Pilates.


You see, it prepared me, and opened up a new exciting future for me. It made me take chances and

risks, something I would have never done before. It challenges me daily and it’s a non-stop learning

experience.


Whenever I feel like things are getting too much I grab my mat and move and connect! Even if just

for 10minutes!


And with that, I end my post with another quote from Mr. Pilates which I think fits my message

perfectly; “Breathing is the first act of life and the last. Our very life depends on it.”


Johlet


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