“No amount of leg lifts will help trim you or help you lose weight if you’re constantly telling yourself you’re fat. Your muscles are getting mixed messages from your mind.”
Risa Sheppard, Master Pilates Trainer
There is not a person in the world who may not have experienced depression, anxiety, or fear. All of this is common especially now during these harsh and isolating times. We may tend to eat more, drink more, and fret more. Emotions are powerful tools and unless directed properly can lead to some serious problems.
The Metaphysics Of Pilates
Every emotion, feeling, or trauma finds root in the cellular memory inside our bodies. Most of us are not even aware how our thoughts, feelings and emotions play such a critical part in our ability to heal and strengthen the body. As a Pilates and Movement specialist, I have been studying the cause and effect of thoughts and emotions and how they relate to the physical body for years. The mind can keep people and their body from fully realizing potential.
According to Ernest Holms, founder of Science of Mind, there is a mental equivalent for every symptom.
“Life is a mirror and will reflect back to the thinker and what he thinks into it.”
Ernest Holms, founder of Science of Mind
For instance, the more you think of negative and denigrating thoughts, the more your body, mind, and consciousness will believe you. No amount of leg lifts will help trim you or help you lose weight if you’re constantly telling yourself you’re fat. Your muscles are getting mixed messages from your mind.
Change Your Mind, Change Your Body
Louise Hay, well known author and metaphysician, says in her book “Heal Your Body” that muscles represent our ability to move in life. Look within your own psyche to see where you are stuck, then change your thought process. It’s important to “untie” those mental knots in order to “untie” the physical knots.
Replace thoughts of limitation with positive affirmations such as “I experience life as a joyous dancer” or “I move with ease and joy.”
Ernest Holmes goes on to say, “never limit your view of life by any past experience.” In other words, it is never too late to start over, heal your body, get in shape, find the love of your life, or whatever you are seeking. By taking a different perspective, and thinking a more positive thought, you can change your life.
It Takes Practice
Some of these things have been festering deep within since childhood. It takes a lot of perseverance to heal an old wound. The good news is it can be done. With proper thinking, proper movement, and tenacity you can uncover the mental pattern that may be keeping you from a full expression of life.
Exercise And Movement Are Key
The next time you feel depressed, anxious or negative, try this:
VOILA
STAND ERECT WITH YOUR HANDS CLASPED BEHIND YOUR BACK
YOUR LEGS OPEN ABOUT 3 FEET FROM EACH OTHER
GENTLY LIFT YOUR ARMS AWAY FROM YOUR BODY
AS YOU SQUEEZE YOUR GLUTES, LIFT YOUR STURNAM TO THE CEILING. YOUR SPINE IS NOW IN AN EXTENION. SLOWLY COME BACK TO AN ERECT OR NEUTRAL POSITION.
LIFT YOUR ARMS UP AND AWAY FROM YOUR BODY AS YOU CONTRACT YOUR ABDOMINALS. PLACE YOUR CHIN TO THE CHEST AND ROLL FORWARD UNTIL YOUR ELBOWS TOUCH THE INSIDE OF YOUR KNEES.
SLOWLY ROLL UP TO A NEUTRAL POSITION.
REPEAT 3 TIMES. EACH TIME BREATHING IN AS YOUR SAY TO YOURSELF “I AM SAFE, I AM HAPPY.”
AS YOU EXHALE SAY “I LET GO ALL FEAR”
Risa Sheppard
Founder, THE SHEPPARD METHOD PILATES
A second generation teacher for 45 years, Sheppard’s studio is located in West Los Angeles.
