Pillar of Health: MINDFULNESS
What is mindfulness and why is it important to our health? Plus some easy ways to incorporate it to our lives and why Pilates is on the list
It’s time to look at another of my Pillars of Health: MINDFULNESS
We’ve all heard the term bandied about but let’s clarify just what it is.
Ahem...
Mindfulness is to be fully present and aware... without judgement. Did you know about that last bit? Me neither but it’s def the part I struggle with.
Do you have it?
The little voice inside your head that narrates what you’re doing, distracting you from fully investing in the moment? I know I do.
Does this sound familiar?
You contemplate the magnificence of a sunset but also tell yourself that "dinner’s not going to cook itself", or
You take a walk and instead of noticing the breeze through the trees or the feel of your body as you quicken your pace,
You mentally write your to-do list or even count down the time until you can get back and "start your day", or "get back to work".
Do you feel as if enjoying and staying present during a walk or being amazed at the world we live in is a frivolous, time wasting act?
Unfortunately I know I sometimes do.
That voice can sometimes be a noisy companion of mine and you know where it/she comes out quite frequently?
On my mat, while I’m practicing my Pilates😳
Yep, my mind wanders, judges, and also reminds me of my weaknesses. Dang!!
So:
Each time I lie down to begin my practice I aim to focus on “COMPLETE COORDINATION OF BODY, MIND, AND SPIRIT”.
This is Joseph Pilates’ definition of Contrology, his name for his method.
Were you aware that he actually didn’t name his work after himself?
The quote is from the opening pages of his manifesto, Return To Life, written in 1945:
“Contrology is complete coordination of body, mind, and spirit.”
“Contrology develops the body uniformly, corrects wrong postures, restores physical vitality, invigorates the mind. and elevates the spirit.”
1945! The man was ahead of his time for sure.
So Why Should we Practice Mindfulness?
(not to be confused with meditation which is a method to achieve mindfulness)
There are some really, really, really, good, scientifically backed reasons* why it’s good for our well being, health, and quality of life.
Mindfulness can help us to:
be less distracted
regulate our emotions
reduce anxiety*
sleep better
build resilience
manage physical pain
improve our working memory*
be more empathetic
avoid depression*
improve our heart health*
Wow, me thinks that’s a pretty extensive list.
How does one cultivate mindfulness?
(tilling the soil in your garden of health as it were)🙃
To cultivate Mindfulness, the #1 rule is:
PAY ATTENTION! (I’m not yelling at you, just trying to get your attention, lol)
How? Here are a few ways:
1. Engage Your Senses
slow down your eating and really taste your food.
don’t just see but really look and seek out details.
listen carefully to the world around you as well as inside conversations.
2. Focus on your Breathing - yep, no surprise there.
3. Meditate - even 5-10 minutes can be effective.
4. Perform a Body Scan - tune into how you’re really feeling.
And, of course,
5. Do some PILATES🤗 - breath connected to movement is a joyous way to practice mindfulness.
Catch you next time, Bec x
*nerdy study links:
anxiety https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21320700/
working memory https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30999122/
depression https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10965637/
heart health https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28639841/
The information contained above is provided for information purposes only. The contents of this blog are not intended to amount to advice and Rebecca Forde disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of this post