Empowering Yourself: Taking agency for ailments through Pilates
It’s easy to feel like a passive participant in our wellbeing, subject to the whims of our bodies and the challenges they present. Ailments, whether chronic or acute, can leave us feeling disempowered and disconnected from ourselves.
However, there is a path to reclaiming agency and becoming an active participant in your healing process.
After many years of attending 1:1 Pilates with me, one of my clients came to her session this week having reclaimed this agency. She'd strained her back after a work trip to London on the train, once she got home she took control. She soaked in a bath filled with Epsom salts, used the Pilates props she has at home (a soft ball and a hedgehog pod) and when she came into her next session told me how she'd made herself better. I'm not saying that this works for every ache and pain we have or that painkillers don't have their place, but having what I like to call a 'tool kit' of practices we can use gives us power over our wellbeing.
Clients proactively working on their whole body wellbeing with Lauren’s support on the ladder barrel and reformer tower bar during a Pilates Equipment circuit class.
As you're likely aware, Pilates is much more than exercise. At Lauren Hilton Pilates we believe Pilates is a holistic approach to physical and mental well-being that radiates into all areas of our life. Rooted in the principles of alignment, core strength, flexibility, and breath, Pilates allows us to engage with our bodies profoundly. It's not about pushing through pain or forcing ourselves into contorted positions; rather, it's about cultivating awareness, listening to our bodies, and honouring their unique needs.
One of the most empowering aspects of Pilates is its adaptability. Whether you're dealing with back pain, joint stiffness, or recovering from injury, Pilates can be tailored to suit your specific needs and limitations. With the guidance of a skilled teacher, you can learn to modify exercises, use props for support, and gradually build strength and mobility where it's needed most which is exactly what my client did.
But perhaps even more importantly, Pilates teachers use it to cultivate a mindset of resilience and agency in the face of adversity. Instead of viewing ailments as obstacles to be overcome, we can see them as opportunities for growth and self-discovery. Through mindful movement and breath, we learn to work with our bodies rather than against them, building a sense of harmony and balance that extends far beyond the Pilates studio
Having a 'tool kit' of practices, including Pilates, gives us power over our wellbeing.
Of course, this journey isn't always easy. There will be days when the pain feels overwhelming and when progress seems agonisingly slow. But it's precisely in those moments that the principles of Pilates shine brightest. By embracing patience, persistence, and self-compassion, we can tap into a source of inner strength that enables us to face any challenge with grace and resilience.
So, if you find yourself grappling with physical or emotional ailments, consider Pilates not just as a form of exercise, but as a pathway to empowerment. By committing to your practice with dedication and intention, you can discover a newfound sense of agency over your well-being. And in doing so, you may find that the greatest healer lies within.
If you're ready to reclaim your sense of agency, we invite you to join us at Lauren Hilton Pilates. Together, let's cultivate resilience, and embrace the transformative power of Pilates.
Your body will thank you.
See you in the studio or online soon!
Lauren x
Owner and Pilates teacher, Lauren Hilton Pilates, Shrewsbury
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