I love a great story of overcoming! Overcomers that move beyond their pain, suffering and struggles and in the process inspire others to do the same.
As our bodies age we need to explore ways to keep moving and strengthening our body. I stepped into a Pilates class yesterday. I’ve tried the Pilates Reformer before but never committed. But today something clicked. As the trainer was teaching us the basic foundations of Pilates I could feel the weight of the world release. The tension in my back and shoulders loosened and my breathing became full and deep. I quivered, shook and pressed against the tension of the bands. But the deep breathing and mental focus on the movements allowed me to overcome the physical struggle of strengthening the muscle.
What is Pilates and who invented this low impact dynamic formula for strengthening and stretching the muscles to support our spine and core? A quick google search and I found this:
“Joseph Pilates was born near Düsseldorf, Germany in 1883. Little is known about his early life, but he appears to have been a frail child, suffering from asthma, rickets and rheumatic fever. His drive and determination to overcome these ailments led him to become a competent gymnast, diver and skier.” Pilates Foundation
WOW! There you go, an overcomer! An individual that did not allow his physical ailments to define and determine his future. As we age we begin to feel the miles on the road so to speak. The tread feels worn, thin, and we begin to make excuses to protect what tread we have left. But here’s the thing, if we don’t drive the car, the tires will dry rot. If we don’t move our body they will become rigid and more likely for injury. Motion is lotion to our joints and ligaments. Movement is fundamental and breathing is essential to life.
So here’s to doing what we can. Even if it’s sitting in a chair and mastering deep full breaths. Joseph Pilates would say, “Breathing is the first act of life and the last. Our very life depends on it.” Today take time to pause and take some deep breaths, allowing the movement of your lungs to inhale the fullness of your Creator and exhale the tensions of this world. May the restoring breath of life strengthen you; heart, mind, and soul as you are reminded of your overcoming story! #faithoverfear #breathe #fitnessmotivation #discipline #2023 #pilates #overcoming
“Then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.” Genesis 2:7
“The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.” Job 33:4
“And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” John 20:23