My life has undergone a positive transformation since meeting Tara and starting pilates, my first foray into this form of exercise. The positive impact on both my body and mind has been undeniably remarkable, and it has eclipsed any other workouts I have attempted. Not only has it informed how I now approach gym workouts, but it has allowed me to reduce the weights I use whilst still achieving fantastic results with perfect form and mindfulness. I am able to obtain a better workout with less soreness- something I previously believed to be an indicator of successful exercise. Tara also helped me correctly use the stair stepper, which had been placing pressure on my hips in a damaging way. I have now managed to reduce the speed and time I spend on it, but I now feel stronger and more energized thanks to her guidance.
During a recent gym visit, I was astounded when someone commented, "You are a machine. I can't do that for 2 minutes". Although such comments might have once boosted my ego, I realized this 'approval-seeking' mentality no longer belonged to my new outlook on fitness. Instead of looking for validation, I now seek to reach my own personal goals- generating energy and maintaining wellness, rather than pushing myself beyond my limit and subjecting myself to aches and pains.
What is most impressive is how pilates has transformed my mind and spirit in addition to my body. After a session, I walk out feeling healthier and standing taller. I have also become much more mindful and am now less easily agitated by things that would have previously elicited a reaction. I also have a greater awareness of the effects my posture and activities have on my back and neck, and consequently stop doing things that don't benefit me. I have abandoned the idea that "no pain, no gain" is the only way and instead now understand that working through pain is futile. Tara has helped me appreciate that training our brains to normalize activity-induced pain is counterproductive, and therefore I avoid it entirely. Often, after a session, I realize that my back feels better than it ever has before, however, if it doesn't, I am content with knowing that change is inevitable.
Tara has demonstrated that she has a remarkable intuition in regards to both my body and mind. She always seems to know what is going on with me, even better than I can discern myself. Her humor is infectious, and her questions and comments make me reflect long after our sessions are over. One time, I mentioned my throat and esophagus were sore from a leg exercise, to which Tara replied cheekily, "Well, what's my heart got to do with it?". It's a question that I now ask myself regularly.
December 1, 2021
