I’ve been watching a series on Hulu that I’ve been really enjoying. I look forward to the next episode. I find myself, however, at times also trying to do other things on my phone and then missing a chunk of the show. I either have to rewind and rewatch the show or just try to figure out what I missed. I’m not focusing enough on the show to be enjoying it like I could.

I think a lot of us are guilty of this incessant multitasking. But the real reason I’m choosing to watch the television show is to relax, to enjoy myself, and to get engrossed in the storyline. I’m not giving myself that full experience when I’m also creating a post on Instagram for the studio, returning a couple text messages, and checking my email. So I’ve decided I’m going to put my phone down and focus and just enjoy my show. I can do whatever I need to do on my phone before or after and then I can give my mind and my body the break that it wants and find more enjoyment.

I think the same can be said for our Pilates practice. Pilates is a real and essential mind-body practice that requires you to be present and to slow down. To pay attention. To really tune in to your body and feel what you feel and work from that point. Sometimes I see students trying to fly through the exercises and I know they are not focusing. I know students can come into the studio after just leaving behind a hectic day, work problems, or any number of other distracting thoughts or issues. But if you can give yourself that one hour to put all of that aside and really focus you will be repaid in more ways than one. When we really focus on our practice we work deeper and we get results. When we really focus we progress. When we really focus we also allow our body to calm down and to be present and to release stress. When we really focus we get more enjoyment from what we’re doing. When we really focus our mind gets a break from rapid fire multitasking thoughts. When we really focus, we also work deeper and achieve more in our bodies.

I’m committing to focusing more whether it’s at home watching TV or on the reformer. I hope you’ll commit to to focusing because the rewards are so worth it and the results are worth it to0.