5 ways Pilates Saved My Vacation

A bag that's over packed, a flight that's long and crowded and adventures I  have never experienced.  All things that could spell disaster for a poorly conditioned body.  There are times when I become acutely aware of how grateful I am for Pilates.  Traveling is one of those times. I realized  Pilates really saved my vacation! Here how:

Strength:

Before I even left for the airport, I was slinging my bags in the car.  I became even more grateful for my strength when I got the bags out of the car and had to run to the bus stop for long term parking.  I guess I never really learned how to pack ‘light' ,  I mean  after all, I did get it down to a carry on and a rather large purse.  What more could you ask for? Well, a nice strong man to put my things in the overhead bin would be nice, but no worries! I had Pilates to thank for that too.

Breathing:

Seeing the line to check in wrapped around the corner made me gasp and hold my breathe for several seconds.  Then I remembered, just breathe! Tension stores up in your body when you hold your breathe.  Breathing nice deep breathes calms the mind and the body. I notice this again when we rent ATV and ride through the jungle. White knuckles gripping the handlebars was probably another sign I was a little tense, but once I remembered to start breathing deep, I felt much more relaxed.   I found the strength I  needed to stay in control and up to speed.

Flexibility:

Climbing in and out of the plane seat, the taxi cab and onto the horse I was riding all required a lot of flexibility. Never was I more aware of how flexible I was as I tried to swing my legs up and over this horse. Thanks to Pilates I was able to do all these things with grace and elegance ( well, except for the horse thing - not so graceful)

Balance:

Zip trekking from tree to tree was up next on the agenda. Climbing up a hundred feet and  standing on small platforms before you trek across a mile or so to another tree will make you very aware of your sense of balance.  I had Pilates to thank for my strong, stable sense of balance. 

Awareness:

Finally, after all the eating, drinking and doing new things, I  became aware of what my body really needed.  A stretch, some down time and a good ol' massage. Doing Pilates has made me pay attention to my body.  How I move, what  it's asking for and being wise enough to give in before it starts to rebel.

Doing these things and enjoying them was a gift.  A gift  I realized would never  been possible had it not been for Pilates. The time I spent doing Pilates is not just about enjoying an hour or two every week, it's about enjoying a lifestyle. A Pilates lifestyle.