Thanks ~ Shannon

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Last Saturday, I missed our scheduled Pilates session because I wasn't feeling well. That being said, I fed my cold. A lot. I was also stressed out because of different things going on- my brother got hurt at college playing basketball, my ex has been disappearing and reappearing like he was David Copperfield, and the holidays always seem to stress me out a little bit. Tonight, though, I was feeling better and went to the Tenafly studio for our Wednesday night session. I got there about fifteen minutes early and spoke to Virginia for awhile about my week. She was very helpful and her presence alone is very calming. We talked about how I need to concentrate much more on Shannon and feeling comfortable in my own skin, realizing that I really need to take this day by day and not become discouraged. See, I am extremely hard on myself-a perfectionist to fault.

Jully and I did a number of exercises on the Tower, a lot which are familiar and getting easier. However, Virginia, constantly adds new exercises that are challenging and keep our minds moving, as well as our bodies. After about a half hour on the Tower, we went over to the Reformer. I almost had my first Pilates related accident. Hahaha. I was dying laughing. We were supposed to raise our legs, butt, everything but the shoulders off the mat. I did this a bit too emphatically and almost went heels over head right off the Reformer. Thankfully, I didn't flip but it did provide some great comic relief. Virginia also told Jully and I that she sees an improvement in our posture. That made me really happy to hear. I have not noticed it yet, but I do believe it. At the end of the session, we weighed ourselves. I am sorry to report that I gained +1.5 I am not going to beat myself up about it though. I can't, or the cycle will begin again.

I also reflected after our session, which made me feel a hundred times better, about being stressed out for the holidays. Why? What is so stressful? All that is really required of this holiday (Thanksgiving) is to think about what I am thankful for. Yeah, yeah, we focus on the food. Turkey, stuffing, gravy, pie, yada yada. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the food and am thankful for the fact that my family is able to have it on our table every year. That's not the point of the holiday though. As a meditative practice and maybe as an inspiration for you to make your own list, here are some of the things I am thankful for:
my parents, my brother, my thinking brain, my pumping heart, my loving friends, my rewarding job as a special education teacher, the food in my fridge, the music on my I-Pod, the heat in my apartment, the blanket on my Queen size bed, the hot shower I can have any time- day or night, the education my parents worked hard to provide, the setting sun, the full moon, the ocean, memories, possibilities, fresh baked bread, wine, flowers, Thank you cards, hugs, vanilla ice cream, being outside when the cold air burns your lungs, jumping in a pool on a hot summer day, bike-riding, colors(especially royal blue, kelly green and hot pink), our new President, the hope for a better tomorrow and the blessing of life given to us today.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving.

Shannon