Foundation Series

It’s no secret that Callanetics exercises rapidly change and sculpt body shape. There is a common phase that happens to someone who regularly practices Callanetics: they get picky. This is when they’ve pulled in beyond their expectations and feel awesome with more energy and brightness to the skin…

This is when the pickiness can start. You feel like tweaking every little bit of your body. Your behind is higher than ever but now you want it higher. Your waist has pulled in and is beautifully toned, but you want it to go in just one more inch. You’re completely addicted to your wonderful results and you want more!

Let’s stop right there! The results thus far are fantastic and have all come about because of what you have done. But how will losing another inch off your waist improve your life?

When you get amazing results you can become a perfectionist. This serves only to limit you in the rest of your life. If you are spending all your time worrying about a centimeter here or there you may miss out on the fun of life. This is not to say that thinking about your alignment and how you move isn’t beneficial, because it definitely is. I’m talking about becoming obsessive and worrying about the specific size and shape of your body, rather than enjoying the changes you have already made.

Think about the good memories of your life. Was it a camping trip, a day at the beach, a family holiday? Did you have fun? Now think about if were to have had a smaller waist. Would you have had a better time?

So instead of getting hung up on the tweaking, start thinking about how you are going to utilize the other benefits of your Callanetics workout. Like having more energy, more freedom of movement, a calmer approach. What’s on your bucket list?! Have you always wanted to learn Latin dance, go skiing or have a canoeing adventure? Even if you have no desire to get out and climb a mountain, the freedom in your body may help you to paint better, garden for longer, play with your children or grandchildren on the floor…

The point is, if you focus on what you want your body to be able to DO then you’ll have a much better time than if you are hung up on thinking “I’ll be happy when…I’ve lost another inch off my waist/ can see a gap between my thighs.” Callan Pinckney, the founder of Callanetics, was actually someone who had no interest in spending every waking hour working out. She was an adventurer if ever there was one and simply wanted an exercise program that would give her results quickly and  enhance the rest of her life, rather than take it over!

So this weekend, see if you can fit in one of those things you really want to do. Let me know in the comments below at least one of the things on your list that you will need a supple, toned and healthy body to do!