If you’re feeling anything like we are, you too are in need of slowing down and taking some time to rest, restore and just be. Hope this short breathing practice helps you to find some peace and calm in the hectic holiday season.

xoxo

With everything these days being so up in the air, we've been feeling the need to take more moments to slow down, take a deep breath and turn inwards in order to feel more grounded and settled.

Things that used to feel easy may now be feeling more difficult, and so we have put together a short  guided meditation to help you find that inner calm you may be missing.

Okay.  First of all, sleep late.  It makes the day shorter. After getting up make the bed immediately.  This is critical since it will disuade you from getting back into it.  And really, really, don’t begin the day by checking the news or email.  Just don’t.

Make coffee and once an adequate level of caffination, is reached it is time for the HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR DAY:  An MMC class in the room of your choice. I recommend mixing the location up to create the illusion of variety and choice.  (Bathrooms are not recommended.)   Do adjust your floor position to avoid walls or furniture,  (I have still have colourful bruises on my right knuckles) or upending a floor plant and scattering soil on your carpet – not a big deal for me since I hadn’t vacuumed for some time.  (How much time?  Never mind.)  For an online MMC class apparel is optional. We do not mean nudity unless you are eschewing the video option.  PJs are fine, unless like me yours are covered in little bunnies, which sartorially speaking is not a dignified look. Ten-year-old sweat pants and an old Pink Floyd t-shirt (or the band of your choice) is a classic look.  I do avoid sleeping in this “ensemble” (ahem) at least every night.

After the class you will feel physically and mentally energized.  You could do some creative cooking as I hear many are doing these days.  I prefer something sedentary, like reading or noodling around on the computer.  Even better, a warm bath that silences the “kvetching” of post-Pilates “gloots.”  Hair-washing is optional and limp locks, or worse, can be disguised beneath a head scarf.   Although this is often reviled as a fashion faux pas I prefer to see it as a hip retro “homage” to the ‘70s.  You can too.

I hope this little screed was helpful.  Let me know.  All comments … good and bad … are welcome.

The next time I write to you all I plan to address the fascinating subject of Pilates props.

There ought to be a Nobel for Pilates. If there were Leslie and her, brilliant band of mindful movement mavens (MMMs) would be short-listed immediately.  Suffice it to say that the exalted Joseph Pilates himself would be proud of you all.

 Here’s how the MMC classes have changed my COVID-constrained life:  The daily recounts of TP rolls remaining in the hall closet have ceased.  With the dedicated and accomplished organization skills I have developed in these tedious times (my drawers and closets are such a high level I feel I could plan another invasion of Normandy … take THAT Marie Condo.)  I’ve made far too many visits to Netflix … nothing left to watch.  And how many hours can one spend reading?  I’ve briefly considered writing my memoirs but not even my late mother would be interested in reading those.  (She knew all my secrets anyway.)

And yes, fellow MMC-ites, I have so far neglected to mention the most important thing.  We are all in good shape -- stretched, strengthened and lengthened – thanks to the daily classes.  And thanks to modern technology we can see each other giving us a much-needed, deeply welcomed sense of connection and community.  

Dark  as it may feel now, MMC has given us a little light at the end of  this perilous tunnel.  And when this is all over – and it will end – the MMMs, their spirit, supportive attitude and their excellent classes, will always be cherished memory.

We are excited to announce our very own blog! We can’t wait to share what has been bouncing around in our heads this last while. Expect stories from our wonderful clients, teacher tips and all things MMC!

A big thank you to our lovely client and writer extraordinaire, Rachel Rafelman, who has been the inspiration (and the kick in the pants!) behind this endeavour. She is also the author of our first blog post! I hope you enjoy her writing as much as I do :)

Ever mindfully yours,

Leslie xo