Ah April! - is it the cruellest month as T.S Eliot would have us believe or as Chaucer wrote, (or at least to paraphrase!)
"When April with his sweet showers has driven away the drought of March, and bathed each root with the rain that has the power to generate the flower; when Zephyr, the wind, with his sweet breath has inspired the tender buds; and the young sun is in Aries, then the small birds make melody, pricked by nature to sleep all night with an open eye, ... then do folk long to go on pilgrimage..."?
Such a lot to unpack in that opening to the Canterbury Tales and, clearly, Chaucer didn't live through the wet, windy and stormy March that we've just had and the wet, windy and stormy April we're having so far! BUT blossom and buds and flowers and more daylight and warmer weather and bird song and randy pigeons and holiday plans we do have at last! Hoorah!
We have made it through another Winter and it is SPRING, SPRING, SPRING!!! So as we cast off our Winter clothes and expose our bodies to the sun (cautiously, "ne'er (never) cast a clout (clothing) 'til May be out" as the saying goes), we can enjoy the natural energy this time of the year brings.
Chiswick Park is looking particularly beautiful as it bursts into life.
Have a wander around the landscaped grounds before or after your session;
stop on the bridge to watch the enormous fish in the lake,
and let us hope the Canadian goose, currently sitting on her nest by the waterfall, will have some fluffy goslings hatching soon.
Breathe in the air by the trees. Breathe in the air by the waterfall. Both trees and moving water give off positive energies and have de-stressing properties. So, a walk around Chiswick Park will give you a natural boost!
This is my clever and subtle segue into the topic of breathing, of which I have been studying a lot recently! What does Joseph Pilates have to say on the subject of breathing?
" Breathing is the first act of life, and the last. Our very life depends on it. Since we cannot live without breathing is is tragically deplorable to contemplate the millions and millions who have never learned to master the art of correct breathing. One often wonders how so many millions continue to live as long as they do under this tremendous handicap to longevity. Lazy breathing converts the lungs, figuratively speaking, into a cemetery for the deposition of diseased, dying, and dead germs as well as supplying an ideal haven for the multiplication of other harmful germs.
Therefore, above all, learn how to breathe correctly. "SQUEEZE" EVERY ATOM OF AIR FROM YOUR LUNGS UNTIL THEY ARE ALMOST AS FREE OF AIR AS IS A VACUUM. Stand erect again and observe how your lungs will automatically completely refill themselves with fresh air. ...
" ... "roll" and "unroll", your spine exactly in imitation of a wheel rolling forward and backward. ... It is this very action of "rolling" and "unrolling" that cleanses your lungs so effectively by driving out the impure air and forcing in the pure air as you "roll" and "unroll". Indefatigably and conscientiously practice breathing until the art of correct breathing becomes habitual, automatic and subconscious, which accomplishment will result in the bloodstream receiving its full quota of oxygen and thus ward off undue fatigue." ["Pilates' Return to Life Through Contrology" by Joseph H. Pilates and William John Miller]. Photo of Joseph Pilates doing the Teaser.
We focus a lot on breathing in Pilates - it is our first Basic Principle - and it's not easy! We do not learn to breathe when we are young and, unless we deliberately learn when we are older, our breathing habits can either not support our bodies and movement, or worse, hinder us, bringing stress, physical and emotional issues. Learning to breathe properly helps everything!
Bank Holiday Monday 6th May
We are open between 12pm - 3.30pm
12pm - Online Pilates Plus
1.05pm - Mixed Ability
2.10pm - One-to-One
Booking Policy
I have introduced a tick box 'Booking Policy' at the checkout, please have a quick look.
A class can be cancelled or rescheduled up to 24 hours' before by going to 'My Account'. All the sessions in the plan must be used before the expiry date. Any unused sessions cannot be carried forward.
Passes cannot be transferred or used by more than one person.
Only whole plans can be refunded before the plan is due to start.
Enjoy the rest of April - I think we can say it's been a bit cruel and lovely - bright, sunny, wet and cold! I hope your holiday plans are going well, whether you are going to Canterbury or further afield!
Don't forget to check 'My Account' for Loyalty Points to get money off your next pass. Refer your Family & Friends to get £15 off your next pass.
Take care. Keep moving. 360 Ribcage breathing - expand into your back and sides, it helps to release tension from your back because your ribs naturally move your back, reducing tightness.
Ris
Email: info@pilatesnow.org
Mobile: 07768762826
Website: www.pilatesnow.org
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