There was this question as to okay if this body mind spirit thing is happening then where the heck is this spirit element. And I think that where it manifested for me was definitely in that area outside of the comfort zone. I would start to explore a concept that I found fascinating that had nothing to do with exercise proper. And in the exploration of that, if I could make it past the discomfort of nerves or ego or insecurity jumping in, if I could make it over that hurdle and drop in, then I could experience an embodiment of the energy that I believed I saw in Ron and others in my life; an embodiment of being in alignment with my voice as a teacher, my purpose as a human being, my role as a collaborator with my clients. And there is a groundedness that would happen for me that I couldn’t actually define but I know exactly what it feels like. I would say today that I know much better how to access that, but at the time it was kinda like a bonus that would happen and something that maybe I would chase after but I didn’t know how to pull the alignment together, regularly at least.
Well, it's happened...a collision of the Thinking Pilates and Pilates Unfiltered voices! KABOOM!
And it's so perfect because we didn't get all nerdy and geeky and heady. We didn't go down the rabbit hole we could've so easily gone down (SO easily). We didn't go into OVER thinking. Instead we went into FEELING.
In this wonderful (and I think quite brilliant and critical conversation) we went straight for the heart. We went all SPIRIT. We went all PRESENCE. We went raw and vulnerable and all the way in to one of the areas of our work as Pilates teachers that sometimes feels tabu to talk explicitly about -- even though we give it plenty (PLENTY...P.L.E.N.T.Y -- yes, all of that is necessary for the appropriate emphasis) lip service.
Not this time.
Jenna Zaffino is one of our modern teachers who has unabashedly held space for and cultivated heart and spirit in her teaching and in her teaching of teachers. It's part of WHO she is and WHAT she does. She lives it. Breathes it. Shares it. So there really was no more perfect person with whom to THIS conversation.
As we begin to bring Season 2 to a close, coming into a deeper place of groundedness and presence is exactly what we need. James and I are sure that this episode is going to touch you, inspire you, and make you sit quietly and wonder: what do I hold in the palm of my hand that FEELS like presence but cannot be seen?
Listen. Breath deep. Close your eyes. Put your hand on your heart. Let wonder surface. Let curiosity arise. ...And BE.
Jenna is an expert Pilates teacher with over 18 years of experience in movement education. Her tenure as a seasoned studio owner, teacher trainer, conference presenter and continuing education provider provides her with a platform to share her innovative voice with the Pilates Industry and beyond. Through her wildly popular podcast, Pilates Unfiltered, original online and in person continuing education courses and professional coaching services, Jenna helps Pilates Professionals step into their purpose and share their great work with the world.
Learn more about Jenna’s services at www.jennazaffino.com
Check out Pilates Unfiltered on iTunes and Spotify.
Jenna is also about to launch (June 1) a new website (link above). Make sure to check it out.
She's also going to be in NYC teaching her "Unlock Your Creative Flow" course.
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