Old Man Starts Exercising, Writes Blog, Part 6:
​If these are Happy (if not actual) Coincidences can I have More Please?

As a highly-developed, thoroughly-evolved, pattern recognizing organism I often need to remind myself that coincidences are a fabrication of my mind and my perceived notions of the odds by which a coincidence may or may not happen often relates to the significance I apply to said coincidence.

Yet here I am, on a low–impact journey of physical fitness and opportunities for self-improvement are leaping out of the ethers toward me at an alarming rate. Of course, I am taking advantage of them and I hope that by sharing them I will enjoy more opportunities like them.
 
This blog, which I am writing as a sort of payment for my beginner’s Pilates Program from Compassionate Body and Diane Archer, is a lot of fun to write. Normally in the course of my business as a digital marketing professional, I write blogs over the signature of my clients. That is to say that I write blog for companies from the legal profession to the landscaping trade. All the while speaking with their voice on topics that interest their readers.
 
With this blog I am able to write in my own voice about things of interest to me and to others also interested in fitness and self-improvement. It is nice to be recognized as the writer and there are other benefits that are coming my way that I never anticipated.
 
When I wrote a couple weeks back about missing the opportunity to do the at-home session of pilates because I was to tired or too busy or too lazy to do so, that blog was read by a certain Brain Freel, who is a Life Coach, Personal Potential Consultant, Executive & Performance Coach, Conflict Management and Marriage Coach, Philosopher and founder of the Balance for Life program.
 
Brian saw in my musings that I might be primed for a little encouragement, seeing as I had written about a desire to improve on the one hand and a set-back of non-compliance in practicing my home pilates.
 
Brian and I set up an appointment and had a great discussion about rehabilitation and becoming unstuck. Just like I was starting to stretch out my core muscles in my pilates program, Brain was encouraging me to continue on the path that always begins with the next step.
 
A big goal like becoming fit is daunting for certain, but a little goal of taking the next step is not. You may want to eat the whole elephant, but Brian advised me to do so one bite at a time.
 
Not only that, but Reiki Teacher Roxsane Rysdae also offered, following a consolation I performed for her a complimentary Reiki session this week.
 
Now Reiki is deep and lifelong path to enlightenment that I was definitely interested in. I must admit, my interest is borne from a cynical position based on nothing more than eschewing things I do not understand and from that position, how could I not tale her up on her kind offer to fluff my aura and play with my charkas?
 
After the session, Shihan Roxsane told me a few things that were interesting and I must admit, a little mystical.
 
Spending 45 minutes at my head, Roxsane declared when all was said and done that my head is where I live. Even when asked what I do to ground myself, my answer came from my head and had little to do with the literal sense of grounding, which I now understand is to be present in the physical world.
 
Roxsane told me of the trickster that I have inside me, one that she was trying to draw out and for anyone who knows me, it must come as no surprise that the trickster figures large in my essence.
 
Coincidentally (or not), the Sunday Morning CBC Radio Program, Fresh Air was featuring a talk on using the principles of design to help get unstuck from a particular place in your life that is not as exciting as it may have once been.
 
From that I am drawing inspiration for my next presentation at the BEE network in November and look forward to using examples from my own journey to punctuate it.
 
And finally, at last months Niagara BEE Business Network meeting I won a fabulous door prize consisting of a month of free, unlimited Yoga at Moksha Hot Yoga  on Glendale Ave.
 
My experience with yoga is about as wide and deep as my experience with pilates was before I stared with Diane, which is to say little to none.
 
So I have the perfect combination of coincidences to carry me through my next cycle of learning and blogging. I have complimentary session in a healthy pursuit, of which I know nothing about. I have a healthy curiosity of what the future may bring and I have a healthy command of the written word to share my experiences with you as I develop.
 
Today I hope for two things. I hope you find some inspiration in my journey to embark on your own journey and I hope that more opportunities to grow and to blog about growing come my way.
 
Peace.
 
By Dan Willis
www.publicita.ca

Core. Pilates is about strengthening the core. And the core is where, exactly?
 
Five weeks ago, my knowledge of pilates could be summed up in two words, “It’s core”.
 
The difference is now I know where that core is. Since beginning my workouts with Diane of Compassionate Body Pilates, I have discovered which muscle groupings were related to core strength. Some of which I did not even know they existed.
 
At my session today, I was not only aware of them; they were sometimes called upon to hold me in a position or move me through some deliberate poses.
 
“This is not so bad”, I said to myself five weeks ago, after my first somewhat bumbling attempt to rotate an outstretched leg while standing, balanced on the other. “I would hardly call this exercise”, I smugly thought.
 
Then of course Diane discovered which parts of the workouts were easier for me, which needed adjusting and which were literally pains in the butt. And through gentle encouragement, progressive challenges and mindful coaching, I am starting to see the difference.
 
Now, after so many sessions on my own, in a class or with Diane in a one-on-one situation, I (and Diane) see progress in my stamina, balance, breathing and coordination.
 
I am seeing my squats come easier, even with this bad knee of mine. The standing leg circle mentioned above felt much better and so long as I kept my eyes open I could balance through it for the most part.
 
My shoulder positions are acceptable and the various planking positions are being held longer and longer. It is getting so I am starting to think about recommending Pilates to my friends.
 
Diane gave this series of blogs a name. She called them, “Dan’s Journey”. I took that name to heart and realized that Pilates could be the first part of a longer process of getting fit in mind and body and spirit.
 
I can’t help but consider this to be a sort of rehabilitation plan for me. While I didn’t suffer an immediate trauma that required convalescence medically, you could consider the decade of decay I suffered at my corporate desk job a train wreck in slow motion, taking ten years to come to it’s crashing, grinding halt.
 
As I near the halfway point of my 12-week program, the exercises are becoming more familiar and I glide between them with more grace than before. I challenge myself a little and when that is not enough Diane challenges me more.
 
I began thinking that Pilates was going to be a breeze but with the progress I have encountered, I think that I was wrong about everything. It is not about hard or easy, about strengthening the core.
 
It is about personal development. Learning new ways to relate to your body and enjoying small successes. Holding a plank position for ten (OK, three) breaths matters when last week it was two - and last month it was zero.
 
Every time I get a little better, Diane makes it a little harder. I won’t be finished with Pilates in the 12 weeks it takes to complete this program, but I will be more prepared to take on the next step of my journey.
 
P.S. Why not join me Tuesday October 18, 2016 for a “Taster Class” at the Lake/Carlton plaza? For only $10 you can try out some of the positions and movements that I have been on about. If we are “lucky” maybe Diane will bring out the Big Balls.

By Dan Willis
www.publicita.ca

Old Man Starts Exercising, Writes Blog, Part 4:
​The most important fitness class to go to is the one you don’t want to go to.

Looking at my reflection in the working mirrors during the Compassionate Body’s Pilates Class is not such a great idea. There I am reminded of my faded youth and vigor. The unblinking view of my middle-aged form is mildly depressing.
 
Stepping out of the house on Tuesday, I quipped that I really didn’t feel like going to this week’s Pilates class and my partner, ever the cheerleader for health and fitness returned with, “the most important fitness class to go to is the one you don’t want to go to.”
 
I lugged myself from the house to the car to the class with a fresher outlook than I had been feeling. By the time I got to the studio for my weekly in-class session, I was ready to participate.
 
Though the first chin-drop, roll down exercise is a simple one I notice that the simple act of regulating my breathing and being aware of my body puts me in a contemplative head-space. It is going to get tougher during the class but right now I feel relaxed. I am sure my blood pressure, which is high normally, is getting lower.
 
I can tell that I am improving as I work with Diane and the others in the class. Balance and strength, range of movement and outlook all improve with each session I undertake.
 
In the everyday, I sense more flexibility. Bending to work on my partner’s bicycle wasn’t such a chore and this morning I noticed in the middle of putting my socks on that I wasn’t using the dresser for balance.
 
The thrice-weekly regimen that includes a class, a one-on-one session and a solitary session seems about right. It doesn’t take up too much time and I don’t feel like I am always in the gym.
 
This week, I made time for the at home, solitary session. My partner, whom I affectionately call “She-Ra” , asked to join in and I was happy to oblige.
 
Something happens when one turns from a student to a teacher. Explaining, as I did, the positions, the breathing, the movements and objectives focused me on what I was doing. It was definitely more enjoyable with her there.
 
Thankfully, I won’t have any difficulty getting her to work with me in future and the solitary session will no longer be the session I don’t want to do.

By Dan Willis
www.publicita.c

Old Man Starts Exercising, Writes Blog
Part 3: 5 Reasons Why I Can't Do Pilates

“Did you get a chance to do Pilates this week, Dan,” asks Diane, the Compassionate Body Pilates instructor as she comes through my door.
 
“No”, I say and immediately begin excusing myself for not holding up my end of the bargain. She is all business, preparing the equipment as I catch myself apologizing.
 
“I’m really busy”, I say - not believing what is coming out of my mouth. Then before I know it, the hour is over and I am supine.
 
There is no place better than being stretched out on your back. Breathing.
 
Week Three. I have already missed two classes. I have to have a word with myself.
 
Diane is providing me with one-on-one sessions. I can’t express enough how I look forward to the end of the workweek when I book early on Friday afternoons for Pilates. Plus I get a studio session with a small group.
 
It’s my end of the bargain to do 1 or 2, forty-five minute sessions every week, in the meantime. And I haven’t done it.
 
My struggle, as I sense my first improvements in motion balance and stamina, isn’t scheduling a time. I can do that. I schedule times, all the time. Say:Sunday morning. See?
 
I like the workout. It is pretty clear that I do. Am I just lazy?
 
Whatever the excuse, the point is that Diane, in asking me to write the Blog is expecting that I put the effort in to help make the program work. Because making the program work for me would, ostensibly make for a better blog.
 
Oh, how I rationalize. And I haven’t even started about self-interest as a motivator.
 
It is even worse to think about being non-compliant when it is against my self-interest. To avail myself of a dedicated trainer and instruction in a new exercise regime is a good thing to do and it will be over by Christmas.
 
So that is my struggle. I can’t seem to work in the 1 or 2, forty-five minute sessions every week.
 
I had hoped that writing about my missed opportunities to practice before a class would help me deal with why I am non-compliant.
 
I think it has.

By Dan Willis
​www.publicita.ca
​

P.S. From Diane:
I have been truly enjoying working with Dan through the first 3 weeks of the Post-Rehab Pilates Intensive Program. I always find it refreshing to work with someone who has a good sense of humour, isn't afraid to make mistakes, and truly wants to learn. His blogs are honest, thoughtful, and quite entertaining. I do of course want him to do the extra session on his own but, like anything, this is a process and there are always issues that crop up. My son, for example - he keeps me from my plans for the day with remarkable consistency. You just have to move on and be happy with what you actually managed to accomplish, otherwise you'd be terribly unhappy all the time ;-) I'm already seeing progress from Dan and I plan to write about it this week- stay tuned to hear more!