Okay. That sounds weird. New Year’s resolutions in June? To which we say, why not?
Because here’s the thing. New Year’s resolutions, while well-intended, can often be a trap. If you set your expectations too high, you may have had to bail on those resolutions. And for many, this feels like a failure.
We’re here to tell you, it’s not! To be honest, January is hardly the ideal time to set resolutions. It’s cold, it’s dark, and you were probably tired from the holidays. Maybe you didn’t even set any! Whatever the case, if you want to turn over a new leaf and focus on self-care this summer, there’s no time like the present. And Pilates can help.
The Beauty of New Year’s Resolutions in June
Who says that the year has to begin on January 1st? (Besides the calendar and the big shiny ball that drops in NYC, of course.)
You can resolve to care for yourself any time of year. And we think the beginning of summer is a great time to start fresh. So whatever self-care goals you have in mind, the transformative principles of Pilates can help you stay on course.
As you work to reach those resolutions, consider the following:
Embrace Community
You don’t have to do this journey alone. Include family and friends by sharing your resolutions with them. Who knows? They may even adopt some of your resolutions for themselves!
In addition, if you regularly practice at a Pilates studio, you have a built-in community of supportive people who can cheer you on, track your progress, and help keep you on track. Just as with your friends and family, you may even recruit some of them for this radical idea of summer self-care!
Strike a Balance
In Pilates, there’s an emphasis on improving balance. This is more than just staying steady on the reformer or not tipping over on the mat though. Pilates also teaches the importance of aligning the body and the mind. So when you’re setting your goals, consider your mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
For example, if one of your resolutions is to get a flat belly, doing Pilates can certainly address this. But think about how the practice also contributes to your mental well-being. So you can also check off the “find more peace” box as well. It’s a twofer!
Enjoy the Journey – the Destination Will Be What It Is
It’s easy to have your eyes so laser-focused on the prize that you fail to notice the many victories you’re achieving along the way. Yet, Pilates teaches that each movement is itself its own special journey to embrace and not just a means to a shiny well-sculpted end.
By incorporating this mindset into reaching your goals, you’ll be better able to celebrate the small wins along the way. Plus, you’ll be able to see the beauty of movement as part of your regular day and not some routine chore you need to finish.
Stick With Small Consistent Steps
The foundation of a solid Pilates practice is incremental progress over time. You can apply this to your June resolutions as well. No need to set some lofty goal that will be hard to achieve.
So, for instance, instead of saying “I’m going to be ripped by October,” why not say, “I’ll take two Pilates classes per week to begin.” Then when you’re ready to step it up to three or four classes per week, you can. And you’re far less likely to hit burnout this way.
Take Time to Self-Reflect
The Pilates practice focuses on mindfulness and gratitude. It asks you to be fully present in the moment, grateful for your achievements, and always show up as your authentic self.
So if you did make New Year’s resolutions that didn’t exactly work out, give yourself a break. It has nothing to do with your authentic self. Instead, reflect on the past year to consider what you’re grateful for and what’s genuinely important to you. This will help you align with your truth as you move forward with your summer resolutions – should you choose to make them.
Enjoy Your Summer!
Our suggestion about making New Year’s resolutions in June is just that. A suggestion. And a playful one at that.
Summer is the season of having fun. So if you’re setting some self-care goals this summer, incorporate the above-mentioned Pilates principles to go into them happily.
And if you’re interested in being part of a supportive Pilates community, contact us today! We offer a schedule of challenging classes with inspiring instructors who will help you embrace your new journey!