Mindfulness connects you to the current moment, a time you can influence now.
You might question how being “present in the moment” is a positive thing – when you’re stuck, feeling sad, stressed, anxious or depressed. But stop, the emotions you are feeling are actually unlikely to be related to the present moment but to a past or future event. Mindfulness connects you to the current moment, a time you can influence now.
Think of the stress reaction – muscles tighten, stomach churns, become sweaty, breathing difficulties, fight or flight adrenaline/cortisol hormones kick in. Our thoughts go back to a similar experience and the negative beliefs that we created from that experience and the emotions this brings up, triggering stress. However, these hormones aren’t burnt up (from running away) and so remain in the body keeping us on “high alert” creating issues of anxiety, panic attacks, sleep problems, headaches and restlessness.
The alternative mindful response is to move out of the flight/flight response and into a “being” response – to slowdown, notice breath, feel grounded, acknowledge the thoughts (don’t judge them). Preventing the release of more stress hormones, allowing the release of the calming hormone oxytocin instead.
What is mindfulness – it’s about “being in the present moment”, watching your thoughts without engaging and judging them. It’s about quietening the mind and when thoughts come up replying with a “ah that’s interesting” and then letting them go, not creating an inner dialogue/emotion about the thought.
The benefits of mindfulness are to allow you to relax. Mindfulness is shown to reduce stress, tension, anxiety and depression, reduce anger outbursts and generally be a positive tool in your daily life.
Who can Mindfulness benefit? Anyone who is looking to reduce their stress levels, support better sleep, feel calmer & more in control of their emotions, anyone who is looking to relieve their symptoms of anxiety or depression, or simply anyone who is looking for an hour to “be” themselves & relax and renew themselves.
Pilates incorporates Mindfulness into every class, it lets your focus on “you” and “been in the moment”.
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