There are a few things I have developed a stronger appreciation for during the year. I am sitting and writing outside to keep a promise to myself of documenting my #Truthspeak. Today is the autumnal equinox, the day of equal light and darkness and its eight days away from my 60th birthday.
Or at least that was when I started this post entry. As I sit here on November 5th, the clocks have been turned back and I am up with the early morning light and coffee musing on the events of the past few months and what’s up next few months in front of me.
I am conscious of four things I have gained a strong appreciation for during the first nine months of the year, as below, and how these have set me up for my planned approach to the last quarter. Firstly, the conscious plan for my approach to my sixth decade, was to pay much more critical attention to the words, thoughts and observations as laid out by a select few of the Pilates Elders – and their protege’s. Specifically those I can get access to without breaking the bank. I call it my “digging deeper approach” to self-maintenance.
Thus, I bought a few hard cover books. The Pilates classics. I learned this phenomenal work from teachers and continual personal practice in my own body. Digging deeper, it was time I wanted to read the perspective of the masters of the method.
– “Pilates’ Return to Life Through Contrology,” Pilates and Miller
– ““The Pilates Method of Body Conditioning,” – “The Pilates Method of Physical and Mental Conditioning,” Friedman and Eisen
– “Pilates,” Isacowitz
Further, I excitedly signed up for a few workshops in my “digging deeper approach” involving topics and people, some of which are completely foreign to my current thinking. Looking forward to a two days with Elder Mary Bowen, a psychoanalyst that discusses the Jungian psyche & Pilates; two days with Sonje Mayo, South African dancer that trained with Joseph Pilates and uses the Schroth Method as a physical therapist; and a full day of pilates with Jerome Weinberg, Romana’s Pilates Level 2 Teacher at NY True Pilates on injury therapeutics.
Blossom Lelani-Crawford, Elder Kathy Stafford Grant’s protege’, kicked off my “digging deeper” training two days ago in an intimate workshop infusing and refreshing the use of the reformer, ala KSG style.
The mix and match of thinking, style and approach fits me right now and I am gleefully, and unapologetically going with the flow as an “open wide-eyed” student.
a Deeper Appreciation for a Few Things
All My Devices – #1
Technology makes me happy. Keeps me connected and I really, really love every single one of my tools. Admittedly, writing and being consistent with my self-talk, observations and blog posts have become a tad more brief as the year moved forward, even with the use of all my devices (tablet, phablet, computer, ipod)…. I am not very pleased about that, btw. Yet, my visually creative expressions, videos and teaching posts have become easier to make and much easier for people to see, use and appreciate.
It’s so unfortunate that we read far less these days ;(
Personal Work – #2
As my work calendar has consistently filled itself with client sessions, squeezing out time for myself, my thoughts, my personal body work has become an even stronger priority.
Time is so easily lost in valueless activities. I’ve noticed that I have lost my affinity for complex time wasters like spending so much time on nails, makeup and hair blow outs, etc., and just plain leave them out of the equation now. I swipe very quickly past and thru the FB posts of plates of food, kitten kisses, etc .
I block a minimum of two hours a day for myself. EVERYDAY. EVERY Darn WEEK. I use a minimum of an hour of movement, be it Pilates, yoga, cycling, running or weight training. It keeps my head clear, my body strong and my life balance in tact. Self maintenance is my personal goal and teaching mantra. Keep it moving and keep it simple in the process.
Moderating Myself – #3
I’ve noticed that sloppy, imprecise work and movement abounds everywhere and at all times. This has also made me turn my nose up and wrinkle my forehead a bit. Since I believe anyone over 50 can and will express, openly and loudly their opinions (we actually have a bit of experience and exposure that is useful to hear; although sometimes it may bite a bit hardly) it takes a lot of energy and I notice, it is much harder to keep my mouth shut.
I will admit, however, I still hear my mothers admonition, “if you don’t have something nice (useful) to say, don’t say anything at all.” So I have developed a stronger appreciation for looking the other way a bit more frequently and walking away.
This quote, by Matthew Kelly, appeared somewhere and while I don’t know the writer or his affiliation I resonated with the quote,
“The people we surround ourselves with either raise or lower our standards. They either help us to become
the-best-version-of-ourselves or encourage us to become lesser versions of ourselves. We all need
people in our lives who raise our standards, remind us of our essential purpose….challenge us
to become the-best-version-of-ourselves.”
I have decidedly walked away from a few more people and groups that were not helping me raise my bar high.
Sharing Experiences With the World -#4
Borrowing from an article I read, “20 brutal truths about life will help you get your shit together,” my #4 appreciation of sharing wisdom and experiences has become so apparent with all the social media teacher’s groups that have formed and I have joined. There is nothing new under the sun and sharing experiences, joys and pain without judgement helps us all move the pendulum forward.
Sharing what we know, experienced or have mastered that could help others is a teacher’s pleasure. Getting that ego out of the way is the lesson. Continual learning. Continual education. Every share of an experience leaves the giver and the receiver an opportunity for something new.
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Gina Jackson, is a classically trained Pilates Teacher and has been teaching along the Gold Coast of Hudson and Bergen County, NJ for the past fifteen+ years.
Certified by Power Pilates of New York, Gina has trained with Master Teachers Bob Liekens, Susan Moran and Brett Howard; loved workshop training with Cary Regan and Blossom Leilani-Crawford and has particularly enjoyed listening to the personal stories as told by Pilates Elders, Kathy Grant and Lolita San Miguel.
An active teacher and blogger, Gina manages a private personal training business supporting a myriad of clients, teaching all to honor their health, strength and life with the principles of Pilates at its core.