The Value of Pilates

Often times, the first thing people think about when considering  private Pilates instruction is the price. Yes, it costs more than a Pilates video. Yes, it costs more than one of those crammed classes you might find at a gym. Sure, it might mean cutting back in something else in order to pursue it. However, it costs the same as hiring a personal trainer or getting an hour-long massage. It all comes down to value.

Pilates is not the typical fitness format. It is not a "get fit fast", "lose weight soon", or "the hip, new trend". It is a lifestyle and has been around for a long, long time. It takes commitment, consistency and focus. The results you get from this wonderful method do not happen overnight, but with hard work you really can change your body. I'm not just talking about the body that other people see, but the body that feels so good on the inside that you are able to live life again with renewed vigor, awareness, and inspiration.

When Pilates becomes a part of your life, you are less likely to get injured or sick, which means less time at the doctor's office, less time missing work (and income) and more time enjoying life. In 1998, I was in a car accident. My car was stopped and the person who rear-ended me was not going very fast. I suddenly found myself in physical therapy twice per week for three months and missing lots of work. I also had to miss dance classes, auditions and many other opportunities.  Prior to this accident, I had been doing Pilates sporadically for less than a year.

In 2001, I was in another car accident. This one was head-on and my car was totaled. I walked away with just a few bruises from the seatbelt. No therapy, no medication, nothing. I had been doing Pilates consistently for two years; two privates per week. Had I been spending a lot of money on those lessons? Yes! And I was a waitress at the time, so money wasn't exactly flowing abundantly. But it was worth it. I was able to work, able to walk, able to dance. I 100% credit the hard work I spent doing Pilates religiously and the amazing talents of my instructors for this "miracle" of walking away from what could have been a very bad accident.

Yes, there is a price that comes with Pilates lessons, just as there is a price with any business service. But what I find most important in all of this is that there is not a price when it comes to quality of life. There was a time when my lower vertebrae were very close to becoming fused had I not done anything to change my body. There was a time in my 20's when it hurt just to walk to get the mail. But here I am, a new 40 year-old woman who can play with her kids, walk, run, jump in a bounce house, dance, teach, and dance some more. To me, this is priceless.

Why The Heck Am I Doing This?

Why did I sign up for a direct sales business? Because nothing pleases me more than bothering and annoying my family and friends. Okay, that was supposed to be a joke. All kidding aside, many people feel uncomfortable with it, which makes someone such as myself even more uncomfortable. But you know what? After years of struggle and "finding myself", I have learned to not only acknowledge the elephant in the room, but to hug it, bathe it, and feed it treats.

If you didn't notice by the name of my URL, I am actually cooking to dance. I am an independent representative with Demarle at Home. I go to people's homes and cook yummy things and show off awesome cookware. I do these things because I want to dance. I want to dance in MY studio. The one that doesn't yet exist.

It's been five months since I started this little sales adventure. It's ironic that I am in this kind of business. Calling people is difficult for me. Rejection is difficult for me. Selling stuff is difficult for me. But guess what? These are things that I will need to accept when I am the owner of the hippest, quirkiest, most fun dance studio this town has ever seen. I need to be ready. Demarle at Home is helping me to get ready, all while allowing me to promote healthy eating. The company is wonderful and very supportive.

When I see how much my customers love the Demarle at Home products, I feel happy. When I see bodies change in positive ways with Pilates, I feel joyful. And when I see a person's face light up when I mention my future dance plans, I feel elated. These are the reasons I do what I do. Even that elephant in the room is dancing now.

Dream Big

In the picture above, I was about five or six years old. I was new to the dance world but instantly fell in love. That was the beginning of a lifelong dream. Dancing brings me joy and connects me to my spiritual self. It unites me with all the other dreamers of the world. What is your dream? Do you dream big?

When I was young, I envisioned myself dancing on Broadway. Reality nudged me often, reminding me that I am not a brilliant dancer. Technique has been my nemesis. My body has broken down a few times. Anxiety and self-doubt have taken several shots, throwing me off the course.

My first semester in college was tough. I recall sitting in the Dean of Theatre's office, sobbing into my hands because my dance skills were not as I wanted them to be. She encouraged me not to give up. I looked up and into her eyes and replied, "I cry because I know that I can't give up and I know that this is going to be very difficult for me." Then she hugged me, handed me my dance bag and sent me off to class. That moment will stay with me forever.

I encourage you all to dream big. What brings you joy? What do you want to do more than anything? Do it! I sometimes think I am crazy for going after my dream of opening a dance studio. But I am going to do it. Fear of failure will probably kick me in the gut a few times. I will no doubt find my face in my wet hands. There will be obstacles in the road and detours. Thankfully, I travel well and with a great sense of humor.

I Cook Because I Care

I have a confession to make: I used to eat Hot Pockets, Pop Tarts, instant mashed potatoes, Ding Dongs and all kinds of other processed food. That was when I had no clue what was in those things. Now I know! I am so grateful that I worked as a waitress and made friends with the cooks. I learned so much from them about cooking with real ingredients. And, I started to read labels.

Now I try to cook as much as I can from scratch. My motivation? My Grandma Callihan. When I think of her life and how hard she worked, making a homemade meal doesn't seem so foreign. She churned butter, canned jams and made the best meatloaf and tomato gravy this world has ever known. The recipe is still a mystery, so don't ask! It truly was heavenly!

When I became a mother in early 2005, it was important to me to feed my child the best. When she started eating solids, I made sure to use real food as much as possible. I smashed up avocado, bananas, etc. And you know what? I loved it! It was empowering to know that I was capable of nourishing my family my way.

I have come a long way. I make most of our bread. I create meals using as many natural ingredients as I can. My goal is to eventually make everything from scratch. Thankfully, I have children who love to help in the kitchen, so my goal can actually become a reality.

Cooking from scratch need not be difficult. This is coming from a girl who ate Pizza Rolls and Cocoa Puffs for years. It is fun to cook. It is inspiring to cook. It is bitchen to cook!

I invite you to join me in my journey. We don't need crappy food. We can make brilliant, delicious, impressive food...and it is not hard. I do it while drinking wine and redirecting kids and cats. It is totally doable!

Project Lunch Box

I am new to the world of blogging so I have been searching and learning and finding amazing blogs that have inspired me in many ways. One that recently has caught my eye is http://www.familyfreshcooking.com/. Marla's site is beautiful and her recipes and food concepts are incredible! I am taking the lunch box 30-day challenge (couldn't come at a better time) and I hope you will, too. You don't need to be a parent to do this. We all need to eat lunch!

Pizza Bowl!

If you can't get to one of my cooking classes or parties, you will just have to take my word for it: Pizza Bowls Rock! You get the satisfaction of a deep dish pizza without the guilt. Instead of a thick layer of crust, you get a thick layer of topping goodness! I have made the one in the picture a few times now and it is delicious, filling and healthy. Of course, you can put anything you want in the crust bowl. Breakfast pizza, meat pizza, gourmet pizza, whatever you desire! Everyone who has had one of these in my presence has swooned. I especially love that the crust can be made ahead of time so that dinner can be on the table in ten minutes. Haven't had a Demarle pizza bowl yet? Get one ASAP!

The Need To Dance

It's always been in me: dance. Even when not physically dancing, there is always choreography in my soul. I look forward to my future studio, where I will be doing what I love most.

Things are looking promising. I feel that I am getting closer and closer to a possible first studio space. I am in the process of moving my home Pilates studio out of the home, and it is not easy! Once I meet that challenge, I will then begin the process of getting some dance classes into the mix. :-)

In the meantime, I am cooking and baking and eating and cooking and eating and baking, etc. Thus, there is an even greater need for dancing! I have been using some of the newest Demarle at Home products and they are fabulous! I am in love with that Grande Mold!