Before you click away after letting your eyes cast over yet another generic sounding article about mental health, please just take a moment to actually pause and think about this concept, even if just for a moment...
I sometimes struggle to talk (or write in this case) about wellbeing topics without relying on the use of these terms that are starting to feel a little weathered and perhaps empty - 'wellbeing, mental health, being mindful, taking 'me-time'' etc...
But, here's the thing: It's still, and always will be, an incredibly valuable point to raise and consider. So can we, just for a moment (🙏🏻) have a lil' check-in and think about our approach to our overall health, and the ways in which we can best keep it all tip-top?
And that's the key isn' it - 'overall health.' A healthy life....
Here's the thing, we can so often compartmentalise things - usefull for say, laundry. Arguably less useful when talking about health. I get it - health has for a very long time had limited connotations of physical wellbing: being disease free, energised, fit and so on, well in our society at least. There has been a notable shift in recent years to the importance of also being aware, and taking care of, our mental health. The wellbeing of how we feel mentally and emotionally. And rightly so, it's a really important development and I think one that will serve a lot of people very well. The conversations on health seem to often be about one or the other: physical health or mental health. The two, and actually many other things, are all so deeply interwoven.
With all of that said, I'd love to just hang out with you here for another few mins and think about the importance of a holisitc (oop, there goes another one of those words 😉) approach to health: physical, mental, social, spritual, relational, emotional - any more 'als' ? You get the idea.
This week (13th May 2024) it is Mental Health Awareness Week. A campaign, as I understand, initiated and prompted by The Mental Health Foundation. The theme this year (you know how I love a theme!) is ''Movement: moving more for our mental health.''
I love this theme as an prompt, an invitation to start to make these links. An opportuntity to start to weave these seprate threads of health into a more unified, and probably useful, tapestry.
I am writing to you from a bougie lil café on the side of canal in a trendy part of London. I know, who is she? Brag aside (I'm just setting the scene) I was sat with Danny from Farside, when we indulged in a slightly-too-long-ignore-the-admin-we-were-meant-to-be-doing conversation about this topic, which I wanted to share with you.
Point one
Movement is good for mental wellbeing. Duh
But really, sometimes those little simple reminders are the best. Perhaps you're struggling emotionally at the moment and have fallen out of some movement habits. Here's your little little nudge that going for a walk in the fresh air, or taking a yoga class next weekend might make more difference than you think.
Perhaps you're SUPER on the movement at the moment, hitting it hard in the gym, at Pilates, at bouce AND cross-fit. Perhaps there's a pressure of emphasis on the physical side of things; looking good for summer losing weight? Here's your gentle reminder to be kind and keep in mind that it's not all about they physical gains either.
Take a balanced approach and move for your body and your mind - plus those other things lile social time and creativity too eh?
Point Two
Danny and I (imagine that conversation we're having remember? *sips oat latté) both value the importance of this holistic approach from our different ends of the scale:
I have an awareness and a gentle 'mental wellbeing approach' baked into my physical wellbeing practice, which as you know is Pilates. For example: I like to factor in lots of subtle prompts in classes to 'focus in', be mindful, have a little moment of gratitude to yourself, encourage connections and ask people how they are etc...
Danny has a physical approach to his mental wellbeing practice. He will do his coaching and therapeutic practices alongside physical activities: walking, open water swimming or even full athletic workouts! It's important to him to bake in the two elements, often in nature as well to have a more somatic, and holistic (here come those wooly words again!) experience.
Point Three
Community
And then on top of those things: it's clear that we both see the value of those other 'als' - particularly the social aspect. We, as humans are wired for connection and community. We probably can get healthy on our own, but not as easily or efficiently as doing it with other people. With relationships and connections and social time. It is such an important factor to our overall health, including our mental stability. It's one of my favourite things in the studio: seeing connections form, conversations happen and often people finding little ways to help each other out.
Danny hosts a free group wellbeing session (online) the penultimate Wednesday of each month. If you're interested in joining for a light-hearted group check-in session you can sign up here.
If you're new to Kore Pilates and like the sound of some phsyical movement practise in a warm, very friendly & intiamte group setting - then you can book a class online here.
Point Four
Mind body connection.
Moving mindfully, or doing mindful work alongside movement is a really valuable way of deepening the mind-body connection - one of those core (Kore) principles of the Pilates methodology. Physically this is useful for deepening our Pilates practise and honing technique. Mentally it can be so beneficial to be able to recognise and feel your physical experience, our heart-rate, the flutters in your chest, if something feels 'off'.
Experiencing the world from a more connected and grounded state.
Essentially: get more movement in your mindfulless - and more mindfulless in your movement.
Point Four
Good health is possible
All the resources we could even need are available to us, we just need to see them, be aware, take little regular actions and steps towards good health, in all senses of the word.
So, in summary:
Move! Mindfully. Connect the dots. Connect to others. Keep faith & activley work towards a healthy whole life.
With so much warmth & support
I'm always available for a chat if you need some support
Sarah xx
Resources
Mental Health Foundation website (information, resourcfes and ideas)
Danny's Farside Page (therapy, coaching, mindfullenss and mental wellbeing support)
Bounce - the lovely team from Bounce in sherborne are sharing videos of local movement teachers and classes to get involved with. Check them out here!
Em Roberts - Long-trm friend of Kore Pilates (you might remember her form last years summer event) Pilates & Somatic practices - such a gorgeous blend of physical and mental wellbeing, she focuses a lot of nervous systm regulations. Check her work out here.
Comments