I went on a retreat recently where we tried several different mindfulness techniques including Muay Thai, a Thai form of boxing. My group was made up of women mostly in our 50s. I was last to hit the pads the instructors were holding. When I did, I punched without restraint. The instructor briefly lost balance and had to readjust the pads. I was momentarily stunned, then super proud! I’m strong!
Why, you might ask, was I so surprised by this? I have been doing Pilates for many years. I should know my own strength.
A year or so ago, I maybe wouldn’t have been so surprised, but I’ve been doing a lot of healing with my mental health in that time. I feel a lot better mentally and emotionally, but I’ve definitely noticed myself being a bit more “wobbly” or weaker during my classes in the studio. If you’re scratching your head thinking, Renee, how can your mental health affect your physical strength, let me just remind you of the threat bucket (and maybe direct you to The Body Keeps the Score). It makes sense to me since my threat bucket has been quite high.
Yes, I may feel like I have backtracked a little, but continuing with Pilates twice a week during that time has kept me strong overall. Stronger than I would have been, and maybe even stronger than average! Pilates has helped me to continue to age powerfully.
In the first class I attended after this, Linda, shared a story about how she and her husband had recently been able to help others. The weather had been particularly wintery and the church parking lot was very icy and slippery. She and her husband were not only able to cross it without trouble but even made several trips to help others (of the same age) who were struggling. Linda was so happy to have been doing Pilates all these years to keep herself healthy and her balance, feet, and ankles strong.
After I told her about my similar story at the retreat, Jayne told us both about attending a recent 50th reunion. Everyone assembled to take a photo and someone asked people to kneel in the front to fit the whole group in the shot. Several people commented that they couldn’t possibly get down there, much less get back up. Jayne was happy to do it. :)
Jayne, leading a Pilates class with those who share her other passion, flutists!
It’s been a bit of a bummer to feel what I perceive as weaker, even if it is hopefully temporary. As I continue to heal mentally and “open my spigot” I anticipate feeling physically more myself again. But it was great to have a reminder that I am still strong thanks to Pilates. And hearing three different stories from those of us in our 50s, 60s, and 70s who are still agile and strong among our peer groups motivates me to keep going with this practice that I love.
My Muay Thai story isn’t quite over. At the end of our session, the instructors challenged each of us to throw 100 punches without stopping. It seemed a bit daunting. How long would that take? Did I have enough endurance? But I did it, and you know what? I focused and got stronger as I went. I could have done 100 more. It felt so good to be Pilates strong!
