I see a big QUESTION MARK sitting on top of my head; Does anyone else have this visual? This idea helps me to SLOW down both my mind and body. I can proceed to an analytical mode.
1. What am I trying to accomplish and
2. What are the steps needed to get to that ultimate goal?
I will sit with my eyes closed and SEE my body MOVE into the position. In my mind I am really GOOD at using all the body mechanics and in such perfect form! Oh if only my reality was the same.
So after slowing down and closing my eyes, I begin to visualize a LIGHTBULB over my head. I start to get some light coming in and filtering down to the body where the mental awareness of my body mechanics are making better sense. The light may be dim at first but as I take it through the above process, it becomes brighter and brighter until the LIGHTBULB “POPS” into an
EXCLAMATION POINT! By George, I think I’ve got it!!!
The Exclamation Point will be challenged when I do the intermediate or advanced form of the same exercise. So my process will begin again. But that is what I love about Pilates; endless challenges.
I would also like to share my MOMENTS that I try to stay alert to throughout my day.
1. Ah-Ha Moments; that is the light bulb turning on and creating an awareness to be focused on at that moment.
2. Hurrahhh Moments (sense of ahhh in that moment); when my body really feels the ah-ha. Mind and body are working well as a team.
3. Ha-Ha Moments (I try for as many as possible); these are moments that come from the belly laugh which is a sneaky way to find and work the transversus abdominus!
4. Duh Moments; when I will gently tap the side of my temple saying “why did this take me so long”.
5. At the end of all this comes a big TA-DA Moment of pure joy. I like to throw my arms into a big “V” and look up in wonder as I say out loud “TA-DA!.
6. AHHHHHH MOMENT- A time to be quiet and release my thoughts….But just for a moment.
Scottie Johnson
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Great way to express the thought process! I agree there are endless challenges and that is why it makes it that much more exciting and rewarding.