With the ever-inspiring London Marathon being run this Sunday, I thought it would be good timing to write a blog on Physical Resilience. The physical aspect of Resilience could be described as:
DOING – ACTION – PERFORMANCE – EXECUTION.
To increase physical wellbeing we can examine achievable levels of exercise and physical activity. How do we add more into our daily routine and how can you get more wellbeing? This is a not just about a high endurance goals like running a marathon; a good base line of physical health and fitness is essential to support long-term Resilience. However, to be sustainable it must be realistic for you and the demands on your time. Physical Resilience is also about working with the subconscious results of stress, and reducing its impact on you.
Stress related fatigue and muscular aches and pains are a reality for an increasing number of people, but how many of us stop to think how valuable it would be to learn strategies to help us deal with the pressure and sometimes pain of modern living.
What is the key to Finding Peace in the Chaos of our Daily Lives?
Read this interview with Jaccqui, a Pilate’s Teacher who had coaching to support herself whilst setting up a new business and working through a career transition
How would you describe your role as a Pilates Teacher?
Jacquie: I help my clients to understand how to move well and to bring their awareness back to themselves, both physically and emotionally.
What is the biggest personal challenge in this role?
Jacquie: As a movement practitioner I’m continually learning because people bring different ‘challenges’ to me every day. I heard a great quote recently, “the more you know, and the more you know you need to know!”
In the current economic climate what are the challenges that your clients talk about?
Jacquie: It’s rare that we really talk in any detail about the current economic climate and the related challenges. My clients work with me for a variety of reasons: to relieve physical pain, to improve their ease of movement, to gain a better understanding of themselves physically and to apply what they learn to help make every day life and movement easier. Improving this understanding of their movement may also help to improve their hobbies, interests and sports.
Do you think that these are the challenges that are causing them stress?
Jacquie: Physical discomfort or pain can, absolutely, cause us to be unhappy or stressed. But the challenge can also come from a wish to be better at something physically – whether that’s walking or sitting more easily or improving your golf swing.
Where do you see clients holding stress in their bodies?
Jacquie: We’re all different so we all hold tension, stress and emotions in very different ways and places. I believe that I see more ‘holding’ and obvious tension patterns in society generally because of the sedentary lifestyles that we lead, and this contributes to more unbalanced patterns in posture too.
How does your work help clients holding stress in their bodies?
Jacquie: I hope that I help my clients to find the self-awareness to make their lives easier by creating a balance and happiness within themselves, both at work and at home.
What other benefits does your work bring to your clients?
Jacquie: An awareness of how they move in general: walking, sitting and everyday movements as well as being more aware of how they workout at the gym or cycle, swim etc.
Have you seen a growing awareness of the benefits to building physical Resilience to modern day living?
Jacquie: I believe having a greater awareness of yourself physically, creates an understanding of the impact emotional situations can have on us and how to cope with these situations so that we can all live in our bodies happily.
You took part in a Heart Based Mindfulness coaching programme with me around a year ago how has this helped you?
Jacquie: The coaching has helped me to understand the impact that stress or stressful situations can have on our physical state and how it can help, in an immediate situation, to bring you back to a state of equilibrium more quickly.
As a Personal Resilience Specialist, I continuously research and try out new stress solutions, and it’s the ones I offer through my practice that I believe to be the most effective. Through working on our physical health and wellbeing: we can create perspective, personal flow and more effortless performance. This is a result of cultivating deep relaxation on the inside via some form of physical exercise each week. Aimed at men and women of all ages and ability, my Heart Based Mindfulness approach can create a sense of calm and focus, and after just 12 weeks the positive effects to your wellbeing should be tangible.
If you practice Heart Based Mindfulness regularly, you’ll reap the long-term benefits, and if you combine this with ‘toolkit’ breathing strategies and techniques you’ll be able to reduce stress in any aspect of your life in real time, not after the event
Stress and muscular aches and pains are a reality for many of us. Resilience and wellbeing is not about going through life smoothly, or choosing a stress reduction method because it is the current trend. It is about finding what works for you and applying this practice to your everyday life in order to help increase your natural ability to cope with the inevitable pressures and sometimes pain of modern living.