I love Pilates + Yoga!
They kept me strong and cooled my mind throughout my varied corporate jobs which ran the gamut from advertising, international corporate relocation and pharmaceutical sales. At age 29, out of nowhere, I developed an auto immune disease called ulcerative colitis. I had no history of digestive issues and had been extremely healthy and physically fit up to this point in my life.
I tried western medicines, alternative treatments and dietary changes but my disease didn’t cease. This was a fearful and deeply stressful time for me and my family. However, I knew I had a choice of how to reframe and respond to this experience. I could continue to yield to fear and hopelessness, or shift my perspective to hope and acceptance. I found comfort in believing that this health scare was happening to radically change my life for the better. As a deeply spiritual person, I chose to welcome this experience as a gift.
Curiously, my Pilates reformer classes provided the only break from my countless bathroom runs. Only here was I able to pause the symptoms of my illness, temporarily suspending the reality that I was intensely sick and literally falling apart inside. These precious 55 minutes stoked the fire of good health, faith and grace. It helped to remind me that I was strong and that I would survive this experience. I wholeheartedly embraced this high alert awakening as an opportunity to change my life and career. I declared that once I was well, I would become a Pilates teacher and share this healing modality with others. That became my mantra and focus.
After leaving the hospital, I bought a home in the country where I healed from my surgeries by practicing Pilates, yoga + meditation. Not too long after, I completed my studies and opened a Pilates studio. All of this I did because I had single pointed focus and believed that I could, so therefore I did. Everyone around me may have thought I was crazy to abandon my successful corporate life, move away from all industry of the Detroit area, leaving our fiends and family downstate. However, they rallied around me to support my new lease on life and Pilates dreams.
This is where the magic of the great pause happens- when you face a life changing obstacle with grace and optimism. There’s some sort of divinity in yielding to acceptance of where you are, and surrendering to knowing everything is ok. Choosing to align with and think positive thoughts in high stress moments is part of the process. Worry gets you worked up and does not assist the healing process, it generates distress which brings more dis-ease. Changing your thinking is a process and a practice. However, in times like these, you’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain by choosing to feel good.
Remember, our bodies want to heal and there is divine intelligence in every one of your cells. Finding equilibrium is the path of least resistance. Believe that everything is working out and will be just fine in due time. Choose optimism + grace. They feel good and fuel nourishing energy + flow. We are highly impressional and suggestible beings. So why not always believe in the story of your life, unfolding how you want it to be?!? Dream big + believe!