Mindfulness has become the new "buzz word". My Australian cousins spotted this when they were over here for a six week holiday. Compared to Australia is was obvious how much emphasis was placed on the mind and health. I wonder why? Perhaps in Britain we lack the space to "breathe" and we are less able to "let go" of things. Peaceful spaces for me are generally the large, open spaces like:
* Oceans
* Countryside
* Mountains
Australia has many of these spaces and I imagine people benefit from the outdoor lifestyle, swimming and exercising. We have a huge affinity in this country now to cycling. But the new trend seems to be apps with meditations. Where ever you are in the world, you are one click aware from a meditation. As promising as that sounds, I think the focus is less on winding down and taking the time out than squeezing that yoga class and meditation class into an already hectic schedule. Ever found yourself flying to get to a yoga class on time? I have!
These meditations talk a lot about emptying the mind so the focus remains on the head where most of our activity is and trying to let go of that shopping list of things to do. Since teaching
pilates, I have noticed that focusing on the core muscles, especially the ones you can actually touch in your lower belly relaxes the mind. By consciously taking ones attention away from the head, you sink into your stomach. Here it is possible to let go of thought. The breath is another form of taking your attention to the stomach. Although many of us breathe in a shallow way in our chests, with instruction we bring the breath to the stomach allowing for a more natural breath. One we knew instinctively as a baby.
Relaxing experience
Listening to some inspirational talks lately, I came across a man called Philip Shepherd. He learnt most of his teachings as a teenager cycling through Europe, the Middle East and Japan. Here is a experience of moving physically and energetically from your head into your pelvic bowl which is deeply relaxing if nothing else!
http://philipshepherd.com/body-intelligence-summit/
Select 25.55 and press play of the recording. It lasts approx six mins
Vanessa Mansergh
http://www.completeworxpilates.co.uk/
01491 577480
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