Our Natural Rhythm
Joseph Pilates made it his life’s mission to take us back to our animalistic state of movement. He studied animals and babies and used their natural rhythms as a source of what adults should strive towards. He also encouraged human’s to be outside as much as possible and to live a pleasurable life full of zest!
This summer at Momentum Fest in Denver, we will be celebrating our natural rhythm through the power movement, music, and the outdoors!
Joseph Pilates characterized himself as a small, sickly child when he was younger. He took it upon himself to strengthen his body through various forms of movement such as wrestling, yoga, gymnastics, boxing, and martial arts. While doing this, he also studied the behaviors and movements of animals and babies, as these are our most natural states.
It is important for us to approach each day with a sense of wonder and newness, much like a child would! The Pilates method encourages us to connect with our natural rhythm, as every exercise strives to embody effortless ease, much like those of animals and babies. The exercises are performed in various positions, such as supine (lying on our back), prone (lying on our stomach), side lying, quadruped, tall kneeling, and standing—all of which are stages that animals and babies move through as they develop.
Mr. Pilates emphasized that “Normal muscles should function naturally in the much the same manner as do the muscles of animals.” Every Pilates exercise encourages organic strength and flexibility, similar to how a cat moves through space. The work teaches us to move efficiently like animals– Therefore saving our energy for when it’s necessary, as well as being able to peacefully rest when it is necessary.
Music is another great contributor to our natural rhythm—and is an exciting part of Momentum Fest!
Although sometimes our music taste differs from one another, we can all agree that music is something that brings people together. Listening to music that we love or relate to has many positive benefits. Music helps to reduce stress and anxiety, as well as elevate our emotional state. With an elevated emotional state comes improved cognitive function, as well as increased exercise motivation, performance, and endurance!
Joseph Pilates also encouraged his students to “…never fail to get all the sunshine and fresh air (they) can.” Similar to music, being outdoors also eases stress, calms the mind, and elevates the spirit.
The 1st Annual Momentum Fest will be taking place in sunny Denver, Colorado! Among its many benefits, natural sunlight also helps to improve eyesight and increase Vitamin D intake. Vitamin D is good for bone and cell growth, immunity strength, and inflammation reduction. Some of the classes at Momentum Fest will take place outside, allowing us to move together amidst the sunshine and fresh mountain air!
This summer at Momentum Fest we can’t wait to move to our natural rhythm within an amazing community of movement, music, and the outdoors.
Whitney Shea, PTA, PMA® -CPT, RYT is a Pilates Teacher and Physical Therapist Assistant in Boulder, CO, and she currently teaches Pilates at Physical Therapy of Boulder, Colorado Athletic Club, and at The University of Colorado at Boulder. She is PMA and Yoga Alliance Certified, and has Advanced Teacher Training and Master’s Program Certifications from the Pilates Center in Boulder, as well as a degree in Integrative Physiology from CU-Boulder. After experiencing a traumatic car accident in 2008, she developed a deeper appreciation of The Pilates Method as rehabilitation, which has brought her to her most current position as a PTA and Pilates Teacher. When Whitney isn’t teaching or practicing Pilates and Yoga, you’ll most likely find her outside hiking, skiing, rock climbing, or fly fishing with her husband Billy, and their pup, Solus!