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with my Pilates community locally and on a national level by attending conferences. Time and time again, I have found a collaborative community and people that are open to share ideas and to listen.
When looking for a class to attend, I would inquire on the class size. The smaller the class, the easier it may be for you to attend, especially if you have social anxiety like I do. It is also common to practice Pilates one on one with an instructor, like personal training at a gym. Many Pilates studios are relatively small, and are not busy or loud, and are designed to be a calm and quiet sanctuary. It is common to ask a lot of questions before you choose a studio so don’t be shy to ask about things that concern you, or to ask for a tour. You deserve to practice in a place that feels safe and brings you calm, and most of all, relief from your symptoms.
Sometimes there is a disconnect with what the Pilates method is and what people think it is. Pilates is a dynamic way to exercise, and since it focuses on breath, can be a useful tool in managing mental health issues, especially depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Pilates was initially interesting to me because I thought it was challenging, especially for the abdominals. The practice became much more than that to me after really digging into it. Breathing deeply and evenly helps me manage my anxiety, and the challenge of the exercises keeps me interested and motivated. I was able to connect my body with my breath and feel a relief from my anxiety; for me Pilates is a meditative practice in that way. Because of the breath/body connection I immediately felt refreshed, because for that hour of the Pilates class, I couldn’t be anxious. I had to concentrate too hard to allow my thoughts to race. Additionally, and more long-term, my mental and physical strength
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