ONCE A SKEPTIC
WHO: Gráinne O'Driscoll, a Pilates teacher in Dublin, Ireland
WHAT SHE DOES: Meditation, gratitude journaling, affirmations, yoga
HOW IT FOSTERS PERSONAL GROWTH: Meditation brings calm, and I find myself less reactive. Gratitude journaling helps me appreciate the simpler things in life, making me realize that these are the important things. Affirmations are things I would have been quite skeptical about in the past, but I find if you say something often enough you’ll believe it. Of course, they have also made me realize the negative things you tell yourself that can become entrenched; now I try to nip these in the bud!
WHY IT NURTURES HER PILATES PRACTICE: In Pilates, I’m more disciplined and more mindful about the movements and the breath. I’m also less likely to compare myself to others and less likely to self-criticize. Pilates has also given me body awareness, as well as strength and stability in the joints, which has helped greatly with those all-important balance poses in yoga.
REPEAT AFTER ME
WHO: Jenna Zaffino, a Pilates teacher in Chicago
WHAT SHE DOES: Mantra-based affirmations
HOW IT FOSTERS PERSONAL GROWTH: I try to include a mantra-based meditation each day, even if it’s just repeating my affirmation for a minute or two between clients. Working with human beings can be unpredictable, and it’s up to me to keep my mind-set moving in the right direction. Mantras help me shift away from thoughts and feelings that don’t serve me, allowing me to course-correct when things go awry.
WHY IT NURTURES HER PILATES PRACTICE: My belief is that everyone has the opportunity to create a relationship with a spirit of their own understanding. The use of mantra and affirmation helps me feel connected to a greater purpose—and not get caught up in the small stuff.
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