13 Jun Balance

It has been a life-long journey to understand the meaning of balance and how it is expressed through physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual forms. I have always been striving for balance. There have been times that I have felt that there was no such thing as balance, however, today, I realize that the process towards balance comes through all the dimensions of being alive and the message comes in many forms. Balance is the middle point of two opposing extremes.

For 3 years in a row now, my voice has disappeared during the month of February for a full week. Unable to talk or teach all I can do is rest, hang out and play with my kids, and be at home in a quiet place.

Earlier this year, my spine landed me in a place of physical crisis resulting in a full week spent in bed. It was extremely painful. I felt like my neck and shoulders were pulling me out of alignment.

I am a mover and a dancer. My body is my instrument through which I experience life. Yet, this winter my body sent me a series of very clear messages to slow down and simply stop. To just rest. To just BE.

These experiences have reminded me that I need deep rest: to decompress, to find equilibrium, to balance in the dynamic of stillness.
I know that I am not alone and that many of us find it difficult to pause, listen and tune into the stillness we need to create more balance in our lives.In the Classical Pilates Method, we are working towards uniform development. What does this mean and what does this look like exactly? I believe for each one of us, this looks and feels very different. Depending on our lifestyle and activities, our environments create form and structure that hold us up and carry us through life. At times we feel kinks, have injuries, or maybe we are born with or have developed in a way that is not aligned. With Pilates, we seek out a way to support and structure our physical self to feel greater strength, flexibility, and ease of movement.

As I come out of this time of forced rest, I can see more clearly my physical pattern of spinal scoliosis, where I hold stress in my body, and realize I need to find greater balance in my lifestyle to support my physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being. I have been called to examine how I can take care of myself in this work that I love so much.

So, I roll onto the floor and initiate movement through my spine and limbs, using the floor as a landing pad. The use of springs, balls, and props help me find ease and gentleness: I find biodynamic balance and create relief to my aching back. My body and mind settle into a subtle kindness and there I find the space to reflect on my movements. This looks simple, slow, and gentle as I respect the time I need to heal. The frown and worry lines on my forehead shift to a smile on my face. I feel more relaxed and can move back out into the world with ease and joy.

Once again, I am viscerally aware that over time my Pilates Practice brings me back to life. It is clear there is no balance without stillness.

I want to thank so many people for helping me create this awareness, this offering and this place to find balance. You are all a part of this creation. Thank you for landing into the Kalijo Pilates community at some point or another, you are a treasure from our history, in our present and into our future!

I’m curious where you are at in this dance to find balance? I would truly love to know.

Kalijo Pilates is here to help you, through; movement in a new and dynamic way or in finding stillness as you move on and off the mat.

In Health and Joy,

Katherine and the Kalijo Team