This Move Is Called Resting Students. . . Honestly, They Tell Me They Feel Renewed When They Leave...

This move is called “resting students.” 😋. . Honestly, they tell me they feel renewed when they leave... 😉... . I just wanted to share this moment because the Pilates world is influenced too much by the idea of dancer’s perfection... we forget about the sweat and work of the soldiers, police officers, and boxers that Joseph Pilates worked with before the dancers stumbled into his studio.... . These folks in my class work hard, and I so, so love them for it... They earned this rest moment, for sure. 💕... I hope they motivate you to work hard this week to the best of YOUR ability, whatever that looks like... because on YOU, it looks BEAUTIFUL. ❤️. . . #motivateMonday #motivationmonday #bodypositive #youdoyou #dowhatyoucan #progressnotperfection #pilates #pilatesreformer #lovethework #everybody (at Pilates Northwest) https://www.instagram.com/teammona/p/BtM8xPZHqTJ/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=11qhirxidpui0

You might see only a leg in the air and wonder, “What’s the point?”… Did you happen to notice that the other leg is balancing on a big ball? Do you know what a challenge that is?... What I see in this picture is perseverance, commitment, and SO much progress!... 😀... . When my client Catherine first came to me, she was in so much pain. Our first several sessions had to be done while she was seated in a chair, and she required a cane to walk in and out of the studio.... . She stayed consistent, through hip surgery and recovery, and many months later, look what she can do! 😀 Her strength and stability has grown so much because she stayed CONSISTENT. With the shutdown she did not falter; Catherine pivoted directly to online sessions with me to keep and grow on the gains she’d achieved. I’m SO PROUD of her! Her commitment to do what she can inspires me! 😍. . So if you’re feeling like it’s just too much, like there’s nothing you can do, like “why even bother,” remember Catherine who could barely walk and who now can go for bike rides! Even when she was impatient for progress she STILL took those micro steps, CONSISTENTLY... I believe in you,too: YOU can find something, no matter how small, and start building on that, every day, even when it’s boring, even when you wish you were further along. Yes! You! Make us both proud. ❤️ . . #juststart #keepgoing #keepmoving #consistency #babysteps #motivation #dosomething #recovery #hope #grit #determined #fitatanyage #fitover40 #fitspo #inspo (at Pilates Northwest) https://www.instagram.com/p/CAGyl6aAnti/?igshid=1xh1zfkr8zf8e

Walking new paths can bring heart-lifting delights! Just two blocks off the often gritty Ave. in the U-District is this gorgeous, lush garden. It’s not huge, but from winter to spring and now into summer it packs such a variety of sumptuousness... We used to shortcut down this street driving, but on our feet we can actually revel in this garden.... From our temporary home, this street is not inviting; we first have to walk past a block of unfriendly, mammoth, monolithic blank-wall buildings that discourage strolling... But if we press on, through and past the ugliness, oh what a little gift! 😀.... Today I hope you find a new path with equally wonderful surprises! 💕 . . #walking #walk #keepgoing #explore #wisteria #roses #throughittogettoit #urbangarden #urbanexplorer #lookforit #dogmama #metaphor #fitatanyage #fitover40 #fitover50 #openheart #bodymindspirit https://www.instagram.com/p/CAlbxdmgqH_/?igshid=16qfbj2be7bh8

Pretty is as pretty does. <3

Not saying there isn’t hard stuff happening in the world, I’m just saying: Feel. The. Love.... It’s out there in the world, too. ❤️.

.

In fact, there’s so much love, the more you look for it, that it can be as overwhelming a feeling as when you feel hopeless against all the hard stuff - EXCEPT! Except you are overwhelmed by the glimmer of hope you feel, and maybe of how you are afraid to believe in the goodness and hope....

.

But it’s there! So take it in... let it fill you with a moment of wonder... and then notice the very next thing you feel like doing... Maybe you feel like reaching out to an old friend, or helping out a favorite charity, or going out in nature, or doing some self-love like a workout...

.

Whatever it is, let that moment of feeling how big love is carry you into the next thing you do... with love. ❤️

It took me a long time to realize we are not meant to be perfect. We are meant to be whole.

Jane Fonda (via onlinecounsellingcollege)

This is beautiful. Body, mind, spirit, all cared for. <3