Finding peace in the mountains

Thankful for a weekend of retreat into the (tropical) mountain teehee.

March has concluded and April is about to unfold. There were moments when there were too many thoughts, and also times when the mind just feels completely blank. I guess that happens to everyone. Well, it did give me an opportunity to reflect on my life at this point in time.

This is the second time I'm scaling Gunung Lambak- and we did 2 circuits up and down again. As before, we took the raw climbing route the second time again... Felt like a rock climbing + jungle adventure, getting on my hands and taking huge giant steps up. I can't say it got any easier, but surely we did shave off 1/3 of the time we took previously from 6h to 4h.

  

Although I haven't ran a lot recently as compared to the same period last year... because this half of the year I'm preparing for multisport events vs last year I was dedicated to train for my first trail 42km... I must say the cross trainings I've had in the first quarter of this year have prepped my joints well for the ROM I needed for my adventures! (AHA, perspectives)  

As a trainer, I realize for sure, giving my joints the right preparation, stimulus and load they require helped me to take on my activities with more ease (no one said it would be easy anyway!) When I think back about the clients under my charge, that's also my hope for them- to be able to enjoy their hobbies, take on their personal adventures, perform in their sports knowing that they have PREPARED for it. Of course, no one can predict an injury, but better prepared joints have shown to have greater recovery rates.

Most people are afraid of down slopes because they feel that would hurt their joints (more specifically their knees) but they fail to realize the truth is our joints/bodies are meant to move. The most obvious reason for joint pains, other than being clinically diagnosed of bone growth/ arthritis, is that our muscles are not performing their functions on our bones to move it.

I'd posted earlier on my vision as a trainer for my clients. I thought about it on my trails. I'm glad I had this thought/ goal/ mission at the back of my head. It really sets the tone of the structure of your programs for your charges. I never wanted them to fear, fear movement? WHY? I want to empower them with movement. That's possibly the best gift I can give them in my journey as a teacher - to find their own journey. Everyone's journey is different, we need to respect that.

We all have a destination, everyone do Pilates for their own personal reasons. It could be flexibility and mobility, a less impact form of strength training, cross training for sports etc. I respect that. My clients who have stayed with me for years are always amazed how revisiting basic exercises can add a new dimension of challenges. More specifically, my utmost priority is to address your needs (especially if you have an injury- for me to get you out of pain zone as quickly as possible; if you are training for a sporting event, for me to get your joints organized, and give you eccentric strength capacity to take load from your trainings out there..).. Understanding, for me is more important to your learning. Fancy exercises are secondary.

I think at the end of the day, life is just like climbing a mountain or performing a sport. It may seem like a common destination/ stroke, but if it was tracked very specifically by a sensor, there's no one path that is the same for everyone, likewise, the most successful shot has the most variability.

I choose my teachers very wisely because I take charge of my education and understanding is very important for me to impart to people I train. I find that these days people do not take charge of their own journeys and hardly ever appreciate the rigor of their sporting endeavors to take care of their bodies. If there was anything to take away, we need to respect ourselves for where we are now and chart our own successes, with the right resources.

5 years down the road

5 years ago, I wrote myself a mission.. how I envision things to work out... a coaching style that speaks of me... a method that describes how I train clients.

I'd actually forgotten about it.
Until I was trying to sort out my drive.
I've never shown anyone.
My mom is the first person I'd decided to show today.
She asked "why haven't you shown anyone this, perhaps you should. Then they know you care."

Love and care come from the heart, spoken less felt more.

So this was what I had back then, and it enlightened me that truly keeping to what holds true in my heart have helped me achieve this (I have to say) for all my clients who have stayed with me. Thank you for believing in me.

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<< The Pilates Journey >>

Stage	Goal	Est. # of sessions	Recommended Frequency
Stage 1: Getting To Know	Understand the fundamental principles of Pilates, have an appreciation for the method. What Pilates is about and how it will change your perspective about fitness and health, and your body. “The mind, when housed within a healthful body possesses a glorious sense of power.”	Approximately 3 months	2-3 x a week
Stage 2: Trying/ Beginning To Understand		Approximately 3-5 months	twice a week
From experience, people who practice consistently for a year start to notice changes in their bodies, develop a different perspective about their individual fitness program, and start taking charge of their lifestyles. It is my success as a coach for you to pass this phase.
Stage 3: Incorporating Pilates into Daily Life	Having the spatial and body awareness to take principles into daily activities and other fitness programs. Performing exercises with proper alignment and posture in a balanced manner. “Pilates develops the body uniformly, corrects wrong postures, restores physical vitality, invigorates the mind, and elevates the spirit.”	depends on individual	twice a week
Stage 4: The Empowered Self	Knowing your body, having the ability to be pain-free and perform exercises safely. “Pilates is the complete coordination of mind, body and spirit.”	depends on individual	minimally once a week (Pilates is a practice!)

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Reflections

I think it's important to dedicate time to reflect on the week, not to dwell but to run through positive situations that inspire you and improve on those that doesn't. Growth doesn't end. 

I am very grateful for people who have come along this journey and believed in me, who continue to walk beside and witness my growth. It tears me periodically when I think about it because it touches my heart a lot a lot... when I try to recall how you (all) started and have progressed to be on your own. I feel like even if your job took you to other places, or if you have to relocate, or if you wish to find other activities to complement your fitness training, you know how to keep yourself safe from injuries. To me, that is success- to share with you what I have learnt from my teachers that would benefit you individually in your pursuits. 

I wish I could say I am no longer affected by comments out there. But it's real- I'm only just human. But I shall keep peace in my heart. Because I know very well what keeps the fire in my heart burning, it's being true to my work and seeing the fruit of it. You won't understand that excitement when you see nice spinal articulation or when your client gets an "aha moment" unless you're in the same shoes. 

Sometimes I feel the younger girl in me dives out when I get too excited and nerdy about the things I discover while attending courses, meeting great teachers or even practicing in my own body. I wish for you, at some point, to be able to take charge of your own bodies, be excited about movement and not too fixed on weaknesses. 

The body is the best gift from God.