Rethinking Exercise

My first understanding of organised movement was dance. As a ballerina, “no pain, no gain” was meant very literally. When I stopped dancing, I always looked for high-intensity exercise and felt that if I wasn’t pushing myself, I was wasting my time. Each new type of class I tried eventually became monotonous (and I injured myself multiple times) which led to a lack of consistency, always looking for the next type of class to be “the one”.

Initially Pilates wasn’t something I loved. I found it slow and boring, but it made sense that it could help me rehabilitate and strengthen my body, so I completed my comprehensive training to understand the movement form properly. Teaching Pilates was a very physical thing for me - even breathing was merely a way to connect to the body and guide movements to affect specific muscles.

Since first teaching movement (over a decade ago), I’ve added many skills to my toolbox and more and more, the physicality of it all plays a smaller role for me. In my opinion, the most important things about movement are:

It must feel good

If something feels good, it’s more likely it will become a habit. When we find movement that celebrates the body rather than punishing it, the overall results are better - less pain, more mobility and a calmer nervous system.

It must be sustainable

Longevity of the physical body is reliant on movement, so making a habit of moving will improve quality of life as the decades pass. This does also means that we must adapt the movement we do, depending on the phase of life we are in.

It must be enjoyable

What is the point of life if it’s awful? Unfortunately, sometimes we have to do things we don’t enjoy (the constant stream of dirty dishes and laundry is such a drag for me!) So it makes sense to make choices that bring joy as often as possible. And when it’s not enjoyable anymore - find something that is!

It must help reduce stress

High-intensity cardio workouts can elevate stress hormones like cortisol, which, when chronically elevated, can lead to serious health problems. Instead of only focusing on the sweat, it’s essential to consider how a workout affects overall stress levels and recovery. I love that Yoga and Pilates provide cardiovascular benefits without the same stress load and the fact that savasana aims to regulate the nervous system after pushing the body.

It must build self-awareness

Sadly, many people can’t hear what their bodies are saying. This is a problem that results in blind trust of health professionals who are experts in sickness, disease and pathology, but not YOUR body. There is nothing more powerful than understanding what your body needs.

It must be varied

Variation keeps the body and brain happy. It supports overall health and allows us to discover new things about ourselves. It also builds confidence and courage - when we have this, we no longer rely on someone else to tell us what is best for us. This gives us the power and freedom to design and live our healthiest lives.

For all these reasons, Bodhi offers different types of classes to support your movement practice. All the class types will include mindfulness, breathing and meditation because movement is not only about the physical. In fact, when we can master our minds, the body will follow. In the meantime, join me in movement to reacquaint yourself with your body - it’s the only you’ve got.