I have to admit, I’ve never been very good at meditating. I seem to fall asleep, get bored, or get antsy. I don’t have the willpower of my older sister who attended a Sit for 10 days, where she literally sat still all day, everyday.

Yet, there is an aspect of mediation that is appealing to me. I like imagining the calm, the stillness of mind. I’ve started reading The Miracle of Mindfulness by Thich Nhat Hanh. It was recommended to me by someone at the gym.

I’m really enjoying it and I find that it relates to Pilates, and in that aspect, I can relate. One of the chapters is on mindfulness. When you are breathing, you are supposed to notice you are breathing. When you are brushing your teeth, you are supposed to focus on brushing your teeth; when you are washing dishes, you are supposed to be washing dishes. Your mind shouldn’t be elsewhere (a virtual impossibility if you ask me, but a grand idea).

But the truth is, that is what Pilates is all about. Pilates is supposed to make you think about how your body moves and works in life. When you lift heavy boxes, you should focus on the body. When you are typing an email, you should think about your posture. You should notice whether your core muscles are always slightly engaged. All of this could also be described as being mindful. I can do this and have gotten better at it with training and focus. So, perhaps, one day, I’ll be able to meditate easily too.