What's your M.O?
modus operandi (noun) | modi operandi (plural noun)
definition a particular way or method of doing something
I have had aspirations to write a blog about my Pilates journey for years, but I’ve never had the time…. until now.
On 18th April 2010 I booked my first course of Mat Pilates classes. I had been suffering with a back injury for 11 years which was exacerbated by a very long and difficult labour with my first child in 2007. I’d tried everything to help it; Physio, Massage, Osteopathy, Mindfulness to name a few. But nothing really helped. Until I found Pilates. Ten years later, I have my own successful Pilates business.
I don’t remember having any other name for my business, it has always been My Pilates M.O.
The name makes total sense to me, Pilates IS my M.O. (There also is a line from Will.I.Am’s “Feelin’ myself” where he states “that’s my whole M.O.”) Pilates is the reason I no longer have a back injury, Pilates is the reason I am pain free, Pilates is the reason I am strong, Pilates is the reason I don’t ache, Pilates is the reason I feel taller, Pilates is the reason I can focus my mind, Pilates is the reason I can ride the storm.
When new clients enquire about starting Pilates with me, the first question I ask them is Why Pilates?
A lot of the time it is for similar reasons, an injury, a “bad back”, their health practitioner has recommended Pilates or they may have done Pilates before and already know the benefits.
In recent times, particularly over the past six months there has been a slight shift in the “type” of clients coming to Pilates. When a new client wants to come In for one-to-one sessions, I initially carry out an hours consultation, this includes the usual stuff, review of their health questionnaire, Postural Assessment and some basic Pilates movements so that I can see what I am working with. I also have a general lifestyle chat with them. As well as the physical ailments, this lifestyle chat allows me to see what is happening in the clients’ general day to day life. This is where things have become interesting, Many of these people, mainly women (although this does apply to men too) sit in my studio and describe their life to me. They have come to me to try and help with a physical problem, but what I am noticing is also an emotional one….Stress.
I have noticed that there is a group of women (I say women as this is mainly what I have encountered, but it absolutely applies to men too) in the 50+ age range who are coping with huge amounts of stress and this stress is quite often adding to their physical pain. Yes, we all suffer with stress of some sort, but this particular group seem to have a lot in common;
They have elderly parents that need help
They have children (young adults) that still live at home
They work full time
They have a mortgage or other financial commitments
They may or may not have a partner
That is a lot of hats to wear, thankfully the clients that have made contact with me have realised that something has to change.
I am not a counsellor, all I can offer is my ear and my Pilates knowledge, but those two things may be just enough to set that client on a new (pain free) path.
I have experienced the benefit of Pilates for both physical and emotional pain, for that one hour a week you get to focus solely on how your body moves, Pilates is not easy, you have to concentrate, you have to be mindful. Learning to focus the mind even for just an hour a week can make all the difference in your hectic life.
In the current uncertain climate, it is more important then ever to take time to calm your mind and take care of yourself physically and mentally. Do the things that bring you joy and calm, look for the sliver linings.
I will leave you with a very simple breathing technique to focus and calm the mind and body:
Make yourself comfortable, sitting or lying down
Start by inhaling through the nose for the count of 7
Hold that breath for the count of 8
Slowly exhale through the mouth (imagine blowing through a straw) for the count of 11
Repeat 3-5 times