What would happen if we focused on all the amazing things our bodies could do—hit a baseball, hike Machu Picchu, do a Teaser—versus obsessing about what they look like?
Generally when pilates is mentioned in the media or general conversation, it’s associated with achieving a “dream” body—long, lean, dancer-like.
But as longtime practitioners know, the method is really about improving what your body can do, and learning to love and appreciate that.
“I'd been conditioned to think about my body as a tool that needed to be made strong and nimble rather than a tool that can help me feel strong and nimble in different ways,” says Kéthia Clairvoyant, a Pilates instructor, certified personal trainer and founder of Fit Life KC in Washington, DC.
That kind of pressure can change your relationships and behavior because your focus becomes “perfecting” the body rather than making it feel healthy and strong. For Clairvoyant, that even meant scheduling social activities around her workouts.
ALL BODIES ARE BEAUTIFUL
Body positivity is the notion that you can, and should, accept your body regardless of your color, age, size, shape or so-called “imperfections” like wrinkles, scars, stretch marks or veins. It’s about taking stock of all your body does for you and being truly grateful for that, whether or not it lives up to society's set image of beauty.
This story is from the May - June 2019 edition of Pilates Style.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May - June 2019 edition of Pilates Style.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Finding New Momentum
Overcoming obstacles caused by the pandemic, the virtual version of this popular festival still achieved its goals.
Carola Trier's Extraordinary Journey
In his authoritative biography of the first woman to open a studio, Reiner Grootenhuis delved into her personal papers to tell the harrowing story of her time in a prison camp during World War II.
Racism in the Pilates Industry
Incidents of police brutality and the ensuing Black Lives Matter protests have shed a bright light on systemic racism in the U.S., including in the Pilates industry. Here, Black instructors share their experiences.
For Self-defense
Moves of the Month
Comfort Food Made Healthy
This fall, cozy up to tantalizing comfort food that’s also healthy. A new cookbook from Kristin Cavallari shows you how.
Pilates Postcard
A Pilates teacher shares how the method is making waves abroad.
The Ultimate Gift
One year ago, Kahley Schiller’s life was completely upended by an extreme health crisis. But thanks to her 20-year Pilates practice, the 40-year-old was able to recover quickly.
Revelations
For Sarita Allen, a star of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and a protégée of Kathleen Stanford Grant, Pilates was key to her decades-long career.
Meaning WITHIN THE Movement
The Five Elements of Chinese Medicine help you go deeper into your practice, promising plenty of play along the way.
PILATES IN THE HOOD
Though she’s trained many top stars, Kim Carruthers says she’s most proud of her work as the founder and director of a nonprofit bringing the method to underserved communities.
