It's that special time of year when the sun shines, the weather is still fine, and those Christmas decorations are already starting to poke their sneaky heads up—way premature, but nonetheless a delightful reflection of our impatience to get to the end of the year. For those of us who are parents, you are entering that blissful yet dreaded end-of-term school holidays. The kids are nice and tired from three quarters of a year of routine and are ready to burst with all the pent-up chaotic kid energy they haven’t been able to get out, mixed with exhaustion. So basically, it’s a volcano of slime, emotions, and rolling around in the mud.
If you’re trying to figure out how to fit in your Pilates session, work from home, and keep primary school kids from UFC-fighting each other into oblivion, you are not alone. Here are some reasons why Pilates is actually a great option for the holidays:
A Fun Family Activity
Get the whole family involved. Just throw a couple of mats down outside or in the living room and load up the online studio, and you’re off. It’s a great way to bond and laugh at how uncoordinated your kids are. Plus, you might even get through a whole 10 minutes before a meltdown happens. In all seriousness, Pilates is great because the main ingredient required is you. Like anything, if you make it part of the daily routine, the kids will eventually get into it and enjoy it as time spent hanging out with Mum or Dad. The best part is, you don’t really need much time.
Time-Efficient Workouts
To get an effective Pilates session in, you could do as little as 30 minutes on the mat. This also means you could sneak the time in before everyone wakes up or after they are all in bed if you prefer to keep the time sacred and not have toddlers rolling into your personal space bubble. You could even break it up into three ten-minute sessions throughout your day. This way, you have a little breather to look forward to, and you’re keeping things moving.
No Equipment Required
Another benefit of mat Pilates is that you can get away with using no equipment or very minimal equipment. And if you really need equipment, here are some surprising substitutes you can find around the house: Instead of resistance bands, you could use old pantyhose or tights; instead of weights, try using canned goods or bags of rice; and for a makeshift Magic Circle, roll up a magazine. Have fun with it and improvise rather than making excuses and doing nothing.
Stress Relief and Relaxation
Pilates, or any kind of movement, is a great way to relieve stress. Now that I’ve addressed most of your obstacles to sneaking in a workout while the kids are home, consider how much lighter and relaxed you’ll feel once you’ve reconnected with your body. Combine it with a little sunshine and a beer or cocktail of your choice, and you’re basically on a mini vacation. Just pretend your kids are those chatty retirees you get stuck in a conversation with by the pool, and even they will feel like part of your holiday relaxation.
Boosts Mood and Energy Levels
Finally, those two weeks of holiday can feel like a month when you’re a parent. It’s funny how they seem to fly by when you’re a kid. The point is, you’re going to need energy, and Pilates is excellent for that. Along with regulating your nervous system to cope with stress, Pilates actually boosts your energy levels and contributes to topping up your stamina for the holiday marathon.
So, if you’re looking for a way to keep yourself level-headed, fit, and have a bunch of fun with your family, give our online studio a go. We’ve also got you covered with a free session to get you started. Just click HERE and Bob's your uncle!
Happy school holidays!
