Pilates and Personal Growth - Do you need re-potting?
The Plants and Pilates connection
Two of my passions in life (besides friends and family obviously;) are Plants (and anything garden design-related) and Pilates. Both disciplines, I’ve found, attract really lovely people, and can provide real communities for growth. I’m also a lover of learning and a deep thinker (The Doctorate might give that away!) and what I’ve realised is that there is a lot of crossover between plants and Pilates. Of course, we know that gardens have become increasingly important for Mental Health. They can be sensory spaces that allow time to breathe, to get away from technology and the news of the day, and allow us to nurture some things, whether that’s ourselves, a seedling, or an established plant. They ultimately offer hope, and so the parallels with Pilates begin….
As a somatic practice, (which in simple terms means relating to the body: a more advanced term would be interoception), Pilates allows us to bring attention to ourselves, and in doing so allows us to calm the mental chatter. It gives the nervous system a chance to re-set, and in doing so gives us a chance to re-set. It nurtures us.
Positive Movement Experiences
In my one to one work, I often find that clients have had so many years of negative narratives (through outside influences, or through self-talk) that they can easily lose their way. My role, particularly in a rehabilitation situation is to educate clients around movement, provide positive movement experiences and help clients move through stress, anxiety and pain. Rehabilitation Pilates provides a continuum of care which means through critical assessment of our clients we can design a personal movement programme that progresses your goals and your recovery, whatever the context. We can work alongside osteopaths, physiotherapists and chiropractors whilst respecting our professional boundaries. If you are Solihull based and looking to move forward in your own physical and mental health, do get in touch through my website.
Sarah with home-grown Sweet Peas
The right foundation…..
In gardening, a firm foundation comes from healthy soil and the ability to put down healthy roots. There is a lot of research around soil health (the ‘no-dig’ method sounds good to me!) For us personally, those foundations might mean good nutrition and sleep hygiene. There’s plenty of research around the benefits of sleep (Matthew Walker’s book ‘Why We Sleep’ is a favourite of mine) and whilst the nutrition research can be overwhelming, there is growing evidence around the gut/brain axis, as well as Intermittent Fasting (Dr Tim Spector is the go-to Professor in this regard).
To thrive, you also need to be in the right surroundings…..
Recently potted, and re-potted herbs in my garden
Do you need re-potting?
The practice of self-awareness of often the starting point for change. My Polestar training taught me just that. I’m always looking to grow, both professionally and personally. For me, it’s what keeps things interesting, and ultimately, helps me to serve others.
In a professional appraisal once, my Director said to me (in a positive way), ‘I think you’re ready to be re-potted.’ It was a very fitting analogy, and one which made perfect sense (I actually moved into teaching soon after that conversation). Sometimes you outgrow your surroundings, those surroundings become a bit stale, or have been overcome by dominant weeds…you need to surround yourself in fresh soil, where you can grow.
Look out for further blogs on ways you can nurture your own personal growth.
