Comfort Zone

About a month after moving to Arizona, I decided to check out a country bar in Buckeye - Waddell’s Long Horn Corral. I had heard they had live bands and country dance lessons. According to the website the dance lesson started at 6:30 pm on Saturday night. I intentionally showed up at 6:40 pm … not thinking I was ready for the lesson but I would like to watch. A nice couple saw me sitting alone at the bar and asked if I was there for the lesson and then proceeded to insist that I take the lesson. Little did I know the lesson never really starts on time! They would not accept no for an answer! This was so far out of my comfort zone!

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Footwork on the Bar

Whether you call it double leg work, footwork on the reformer or any other name, it’s an important part of Pilates. Often performed at the beginning of class, but it should not be mistaken as ‘just the warmup’ phase. Footwork on the bar can show us and teach us many important lessons if we tune in and let it.

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Give the Compliment

I have the unique perspective while I am teaching Pilates to see folks walking by outside entering and exciting the building. I see a parade of different bodies and different levels of fitness. I’ve noticed one of the gals who works in a office a few doors down often walks by getting her steps in. We say hi to each other when we meet in the bathroom or on the sidewalk. Yesterday as she walked by I noticed through the window she seemed to have really slimmed down.

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Now and Later

It’s awfully hot in Arizona this time of year. It doesn't cool off much at night either and that has made it more challenging for me to run outdoors. I could get up even earlier but it still often already in the 90’s.

it would be very easy to say I’m taking the Summer off and I’ll resume later when it’s cooler.

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Focus

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.

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Clearing Out

I’m in the process of having a house built and with that comes an evaluation of the furniture and belongings I have now and what will be appropriate for the new house. Some things I’ll keep. Some things I need to buy, and other things I just need to clear out. I tend to be a nostalgic and sentimental person. When I go on vacations I’d much rather have memories, pictures, maybe an olive oil that I loved, or a piece of clothing or jewelry that is unique. I’m not a collector of knickknacks. I like items or memories that linger in my mind as well.

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Slow Down

I’m a type A personality and this has served me well in many ways. My drive and goal oriented nature has kept me pushing to succeed despite obstacles along the way. I am doer and I tend to take on a lot. I enjoy being busy and accomplishing new things. I love checking items off my to-do list. But there is also a down side to being type A. I have a hard time slowing down and taking a break. Running my body at high speed and under stress is a recipe for a bad sleep, weekend immune system and a crash in energy.

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