#PracticeWhatYouTeach: Pilates and Rodeo??

One of my favorite job perks as a Pilates teacher is that is has changed how I look at the world.  If I’m just getting introduced to someone, walking through the grocery store or maybe watching a sporting event on TV…I can’t help but look at how people move.  I automatically notice what moves well and what doesn’t, I notice the balance in their body, I notice the patterns in their movement.  This might explain why I’ve become a little bit of a rodeo fan.  I started watching rodeo and specifically Iowa bareback rider Tim O’Connell because of a friend, but my continuing to watch definitely has to do with my fascination with movement.  As a side note, I also think I like rodeo because it’s short and sweet and keeps my attention.  I am not one to sit still for any period of time to watch a football or baseball game on TV…but 8 seconds I can handle!!

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As I’ve watched Tim and other riders this year there are a few things that really stand out to me and even though I am seeing these things in his 8 seconds on a bucking horse…I think they are lessons that apply to all of our movement practices.

1. Centering    This has got to be one of the best examples of a strong center!  These cowboys not only stay on these crazy, bucking horses but they often make it look easy! When I think about the power of the horses and how much core strength it takes to stabilize your body as that horse twists, turns, jumps and does everything it can to throw you off… I’m in awe!  The example in my own life that keeps popping up into my head is when I go on a jet ski ride with my hubby! He seems to think it’s fun to jump big waves and take quick turns and even though I haven’t found the fun in this yet, I always make a point to use centering to not fall off!!   The whole time I’m on the back of the jet ski I am hugging my inner thighs toward my center and engaging my core muscles so that I can constantly adjust to the direction changes and stay centered.  Whether you are trying to keep centered on a horse, a jetski or just keep your balance when you slip on a piece of ice….a strong center is so important!!
2. Mind Body Connection   I don’t hear the rodeo announcers talking a whole lot about what the cowboys are thinking while they are riding, but I guarantee they have a specific thought process they use every time they get on a horse to ride. To be the best at what they do they have to figure out how to focus their thoughts on exactly what their bodies need to do for those brief 8 seconds.  The human body is capable of some pretty amazing things and I really think that most people don’t realize how simply powerful we are in controlling movement and movement results in our body.  By simply focusing our thoughts on the movements we want to create in our body we can move better and continue to work toward our movement goals.
3. Consistency   As I’ve watched Tim this year make his way to being the World Champion one of the biggest things that stands out to me is his consistency.  Consistency is of those things that you can only get in a movement practice of any kind…by doing.   You don’t just jump on your first bucking horse and have a solid ride (or least I’m guessing!)  You learn techniques and you practice, practice practice, and then practice some more.  Every time you ride is a chance to practice in your body what your brain knows “technically” how to do.  The more you do it, the more consistent you get and the more “polished” your movement looks.  Most of us aren’t riding bucking horses, but we can use this idea of consistency to produce results in how our bodies move and feel.  If you want to keep your spine flexible and healthy, if you want to keep your muscles strong and flexible…you have to consistently practice these movements in your life!!