There’s something about this time of year that makes me want to slow things down a little. The mornings are darker, the evenings draw in earlier and, if I’m honest, the thought of heading back out into the cold after dark isn’t always that appealing.
Instead, I’ve found myself really enjoying my Pilates practice at home. There’s something lovely about having my own little space, putting on a class or choosing a few movements, rolling out my mat and taking a bit of time for myself without having to go anywhere.
Lately, I’ve been practising most days, between 10–30 minutes. Not because I’m following a strict routine or trying to tick off another thing on my to-do list, but because I genuinely love how Pilates makes me feel.
It’s been part of my life for over ten years, and my relationship with it has changed so much during that time. As a teacher, I’m always learning, exploring and finding new ways to approach movement. And as someone whose own body and energy levels can vary, I’ve come to appreciate just how valuable it is to have a practice that can change with me.
Some days I want to feel stronger and challenge myself; other days I want to move gently, take my time and enjoy the familiarity of the exercises. I don't need every session to look the same, and that's one of the things I love most about Pilates.
My home haven
My home practice is so simple. I roll out my mat, gather a few props and see what I fancy doing that day.
At the moment, I'm enjoying having my small Pilates ball, ring, resistance bands, block and a couple of hand weights nearby. They don't all come out at once! I just choose what feels right. Sometimes it's a simple mat session with no equipment at all; other times, adding a band or small weights brings a little extra challenge and makes familiar exercises feel completely different.
I also love that I can practise in my own time and in my own way. There’s no pressure to get dressed up, rush out of the door or fit a full hour into the day. Sometimes I'm still in my PJs, and that's absolutely fine.
I've also made a little ritual of switching on my diffuser with peppermint essential oil before I begin. It's a small thing, but it helps me settle into the space, focus my attention and mark a bit of time that's just for me.
A Little Can Go a Long Way
One of the biggest shifts in my own practice has been letting go of the idea that movement has to look a certain way to count.
I used to think of a Pilates session as something that needed a proper slot in the diary. Now, I love having the freedom to fit it around the day. Ten minutes might be all I have.
I can pause a recording if something else needs my attention, come back to it later or simply finish when I've had enough. It sounds like a small thing, but that flexibility has made such a difference to how accessible my practice feels.
If you're thinking about bringing a little more movement into your own week, I'd say start with what you have. You don't need a dedicated room, lots of equipment or a perfectly planned routine. A little space in the living room, a mat and a short class are more than enough. And perhaps most importantly, give yourself permission to do things differently from one day to the next.
Making Space for YOU
I know how much easier it can be to show up when there's a little structure and someone guiding you. That's one of the things I love about teaching my online Gentle Pilates classes. We explore something different each week, so there's always something new to discover, while still having that familiar space to move and reconnect.
When you join me live on Zoom, you'll also receive the class recording for seven days. You can pause it, come back to it later and pick up where you left off. So, if a full hour doesn't fit into your day, you can enjoy the class in smaller pockets of time.
I think that's what I keep coming back to with Pilates. It's not about doing more, being more disciplined or getting every session right. It's about having something you enjoy returning to, something that can adapt as life changes and that gives you a little time to yourself along the way.
A little invitation for the cooler months
If you'd like to bring a little Pilates into your week, you can find some of my videos over on YouTube or join me for a live Gentle Pilates class on Zoom. If you'd like to know more, send me an email.
Here's to slower mornings, cosy corners and finding your own way to keep moving this cosy season.