Week 13 — “Ride With Us”
Hey Pilates People!
How are you? Were you able to identify and lean into your rituals last week? Did they help you discover anything?
We hope so, and wanted to let you in on what we found to be one of the most important parts of our own rituals - YOU. Everything we're doing has been influenced by, created for and supported through you.
And so one more time (and always one more time) we want to thank you for being here. You have made such a difference to us and we want you to know it!
And now…
Have you ever been on a rollercoaster? Sure, the emotional kind, but I'm thinking more of the actual physical experience - the climb of the hill and all the excitement, fear and anticipation that ride with you, the tipping point at the top where for just a moment you think maybe you've made a terrible mistake and begin to question all of your choices in life, and then the sheer joy and freedom of that fall as momentum takes over.
Every rollercoaster is different. That's part of the fun, right? Some build enough momentum that you're immediately rocketed up the next hill or inverse loop without so much as a breath to think. Some slow you down and mechanically drag you up yet another hill, providing a moment to recollect, settle and experience all of those climbing emotions again. Some bring you to a short, sudden stop, which is almost always unexpected and jarring but nonetheless a clear demonstration of power and control. And some run you around in circles over and over again until, for whatever reason, it's your time to get off and stumble back out into the world.
While I would love nothing more than to get on an actual rollercoaster with all of you (they're truly one of my favorite things in this world) I'm thinking the metaphor here is clear (but, I mean, who knows?! Pilates People theme parks COULD be coming your way! Sky's the limit as far as we're concerned).
This week, we want to examine how we can use momentum and play within its possibilities to keep us going for more than just that first hill, and we're hoping you'll join us for the ride.
We're talking about resolutions, accountability and change. Those words hold a lot of meaning and weight (as they should) but maybe we can lighten the load a little, start small and do a few practice runs.
Maybe it's enough to start by thinking, why are you here, with us and why do you keep coming back? And if the answer is simply, "because I have to," we want to dig into that and go deeper.
"Because I have to," is a fine answer, but it makes what you're doing a chore. "Because I have to," is why you ate your broccoli as an eight year old or why you take out your trash as a 35 year old. Where's the joy and excitement of climbing the hill in that?
How can we get more specific? How can you find a reason with more resolve so that when it's time to roll out your mat and do the work, you're doing it because you want to, not because you have to?
Our theory is that if you WANT to do something, that desire will turn into your fuel and will help carry you through whatever ride you're on (fast, slow, short-stop and the round-and-round-forever ones).
It's a process, friends, and all processes take time. Our job is to be patient, stay present, pace ourselves and try to find our reason to keep the momentum going.
We're here with you through all the highs, lows, laughs and screams. Keep us posted on where you are, what you find and as always...
Stay healthy. Stay safe. Stay buckled in and come along for the ride.
All our love,
Cassandra + Jenni
P.S. - There is STILL TIME to sign up for our Sunday Brunch with Wildly Nutritious and help us support the Black Feminist Project! To learn more and sign up please click here!!! We will be making our pancakes and drinking our drinks at 12pm (EST) TODAY (Sunday, 6/14/20) and very much hope to see you there!
AND REMEMBER, our LIVE class this Friday, 6/19 at 10am (EST) will be a donation class! We'll announce the organization we're contributing to later this week as well as some other EXCITING class taking opportunities!! Stay tuned!
(6/14/20)