fire element
Physical fitness is the first requisite of happiness. Our interpretation of physical fitness is the attainment and maintenance of a uniformly developed body with a sound mind fully capable of naturally, easily, and satisfactorily performing our many and varied daily tasks with spontaneous zest and pleasure.
Joseph Pilates
The spirit of the Fire Element is the heart’s Shen. The quality of brightness in the eyes is evidence of the heart spirit radiating into the world. Fire is about play in our movement, enthusiasm, and exuberance. Like all the elements, Fire has a lot of range. It can be a slow steady burning ember or a windy racing wild fire raging out of control. Fire gives warmth, heat, light and life… and it also consumes. As the leader of the Shen, the spirit, Fire gives every moment great meaning and its balance is held in the relationship with all the other elements.
The Advanced exercises & our Advanced practice definitely manifest with Fire Element vibes.
Breaststroke and Grasshopper.
Candlestick and Handstands.
High Bridges and Big Splits.
These advanced exercises are possible because of the solid foundation build in the Basics (Water) and the strength, flexibility, tenacity and growth through the Intermediate System (Wood) where hard things becomes possible and a workout really lights up in the Advanced system (Fire).
The Fire Element, in illuminating the depths of the water element, reveals the nature of the inner truths that serve as the foundation for all insight and correct action in life. This is the inner alchemy that empowers each human being to become an effective agent of change in the world.
~ Nourishing Destiny, Lonny Jarrett
“You are a vessel through which the eternal dao detaches from and returns to itself ~ evolving in the process.” LaoTzu
For our journey studying Classical Pilates, the Fire Element is definitely about playing in the advanced work, but it is also very much about bringing the spirit, the heart, the joy, the illumination into full awareness in all levels of our practice and our teaching.
WRITING PROMPTS to guide you through the months and this journey.
Month 1 : Water : What is your why?
Month 2 : Water : What do you imagine for yourself? A seed is loaded with potential. It can become anything. What do you imagine for yourself?
Month 3 : Water : What are you afraid of? How do you hold yourself back?
Month 4 : Wood : How do you respond when you’re uncomfortable? What does it feel like when you’re out of your comfort zone?
Month 5 : Wood : Where do you feel stuck? In your body, your mind, your thoughts, your beliefs, your self trust?
Month 6 : Wood : You’re an artist. You wouldn’t be here if you weren’t. As Classical Pilates Teachers, trained in the ‘art of control’ or the ‘art of movement’, how do you remain creative and still stay true to teaching the Classical Pilates system?
Month 7 : Fire : What lights you up? What does that feel like? Look like? Sound like?
Month 8 : Fire : Write about what it means to you to feel seen. To be seen. Then write about what it means to see your client in this moment. Having resonance with a client takes practice, how do you practice connection so that connection become resonance?
Month 9 : Earth :
Month 10 : Earth : Again and again in life we leave ourselves, get lost, distracted, messy, attached, sidetracked… and then we return, we return home to ourselves. But when we return home to ourselves, are we different, are you different? How do we change and still stay true, simultaneously?
Month 11: Metal :
Month 12 : Metal : You, just being you, not doing anything, has inherent value. You are worthy. Share what you can about your feelings of worthiness or lack of worthiness. Owning our self worth (just like being a Pilates instructor and practitioner) is not a place of arrival, it’s a journey and a return. A process.