Have some Fun!

It’s that time of year again - A Eurovision inspired blog post!

You might not know that I’m a Eurovision fan.

I get up every year and watch the semi-finals and final live, which in my part of Australia is 5:00AM, so yes, there’s some dedication there. (if that seems early, my kid, who lives in Perth, is watching at 3:00AM!)

I’m a fan but definitely not a fanatic compared to some.

I’m not a fanatic because I don’t look at or listen to the songs, or study the performers or their odds of winning prior to the live broadcast - I like to be surprised and entertained on the day without any preconceived notions.  

This is how I experienced my very first Eurovision in 2011 when I had no idea what in the actual eff it was. I was so, so, so enthralled with its wonderful wackiness that I’ve kept the way I engage with the contest the same ever since.

photo by Alfonso 

You’re probably asking what in the heck Eurovision has to do with Pilates or movement but stay with me…

Here are two things we can learn from the world’s biggest song competition:

1. Spontaneity 
2. Silliness

How can these two things allow more expansion of our movement in general, or in a more formal realm such as Pilates?

First up, SPONTANEITY

From the online Cambridge dictionary:

“a way of behaving in which you do what feels natural and good whenever you want to, rather than planning things first”

Just like I find the joy in not over planning my Eurovision watching, there are things to be gained from finding a bit of spontaneity in our lives.

Do you struggle with being spontaneous? I do - I’m sure it’s because I always feel like there’s so much stuff to accomplish and doing something not already on my to-do list would not only be a distraction but also a huge waste of time.

(why I feel like that could def could be a topic for a future blog post on societal expectations & their impacts on our health)

I do wonder why I feel it hard to be spontaneous because even though I admit to being a checklist loving mama, I know that when I veer from it and just do whatever the heck I feel like, it’s a wonderful way to bring me much more into the present moment.

My spontaneous actions when they do happen are what would be considered minimal and quite benign. For example, I might do a spot of weeding as I walk to check the mail, or play ‘hide & seek’ with the dog in the 60 metres between my home-based studio and my house (a lot of times she hangs out with me in the studio)

I don’t think anyone would consider those two things ‘exercise’ but here’s what I love, not only do I become more present in my life they add to my tally of daily incidental movement. 

Those incidental movements (like for instance parking far, far away from the entrance when you go to the shops) are easy things to sprinkle into our days if we’re not too rigid and we embrace the veer - yes I’m using veer as a noun.

As my unplanned, spontaneous way of watching Eurovision brings me great pleasure, so does whacking in some unplanned, just-because-I-feel-like-it, moments of movement in my day via being spontaneous.

Spontaneity & Pilates

Even though there’s much to be learned from the hard exercises, what would happen if we did the exercises our bodies call out for because they’re fun and would just feel good to do? Or… what if we did the exercise the ‘wrong’ way?   

When we bring spontaneity into our Pilates practice & veer off this way who knows what we’ll discover inside ourselves or learn?

This thought was reinforced by a friend and fellow Pilates teacher whose approach to teaching differs slightly from mine. Her structure of guiding her clients through a Pilates class allows them more freedom in their movement choices than my structure - I might say her approach allows for more spontaneity (I’ll have to ask her if she agrees). 

I love conversations with fellow movement teachers because they get me thinking. All hail the joy of diversity in teaching philosophies and styles and make sure you find the one that resonates with you!

Hand in hand with paying attention to what would be an unplanned, natural, feel good thing to do, aka spontaneity is: 

SILLINESS

Eurovision is chock full of silliness in the most refreshing way.

Every year there are some questionable choices of staging, lighting, costumes, choreography, props, song choice, etc. etc. etc.  

Levity (even if perhaps unplanned by the performing country) lightens things up; the chance to bask in this silliness is one of the main reasons I (& probably most of the world) tune in.

If you’re still not sure what I’m on about, or are not as familiar with Eurovision as you’d like to be, here’s a link to one of my absolute fave performances which encapsulates everything wonderful, whacky, and silly about Eurovision in one, short, three minute hit: Cezar 2013 

Lighten Up!

In a Pilates or Movement Practice Silliness means: 

• we’ll be less attached to the outcome and more tuned into enjoying ourselves in the moment.
• we’re more inclined to keep pursuing something that brings us pleasure.
• when exercises or movement skills get harder it can help us continue on, it’s a great distraction technique..  
• we don’t make being too hard on ourselves the default when we struggle to progress with an exercise in our Pilates or movement practice.
• we can create a more positive environment whether that’s in a Pilates studio, a gym, on a walking track, or in our lounge room when we turn it into a dance floor. 
• Laughing has many health benefits

I just want to be clear that I’m not talking about treating what we’re doing as silly but that we don’t take ourselves too seriously! 

I always remember that Joseph Pilates said we should live our lives “with spontaneous zest and pleasure” which is just the perfect sentiment, don’t you think?

So off you go to be silly and spontaneous,

xBec

The information contained above is provided for information purposes only. The contents of this blog are not intended to amount to advice and Rebecca Forde disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of this post

cover and social photo by Moi’