Joseph Pilates and his wife Clara, emigrated to the United States from England. He was born in Germany and as a child he suffered from asthma, rickets and rheumatic fever. His father introduced him to gymnastics, martial arts and body building as a preteen to over come the impact the illnesses had had on his body. As a young adult he moved to England where he held a variety of jobs from boxing which later led to self-defense training for police academies and Scotland Yard. During World War I he helped injured soldiers rehabilitate with a technique that today would be considered routine physical therapy. Back then, when someone
(Left to Right) Joseph and his wife and assistant, Clara in their New York City Studio, Joseph training a client and working out himself.
was sick or injured, they basically laid in bed. Pilates used cables and pulleys with strap/handles to allow for a patient to do exercises with resistance in bed. Once patients were able to get out of bed he instructed them with his Pilates Method, He then devised exercises to be done from a chair that he constructed called a Wunda Chair and added that to his repertoire of Pilates exercises. Eventually, Joe and Clara came to the US and set up shop in New York City and began rehabilitating dancers and athletes in their studio. As word got out, it became the place to go to keep youthful and fit. Joseph Pilates original exercises have stood the test of time for a variety of reasons. I have practiced Pilates through my dance training for most of my life and for the last twenty years or so, I have taught the Pilates Method and have had very few injuries and have only required one surgery, knee surgery, two years ago this month. One of the key elements to the Pilates Method is that with the exception of “The Hundred,” all exercises are done for 6-12 reps. The philosophy was, your body is better off to do only 6-12 reps executed in best form, slowly rather than numerous ‘out of control.’ It was quality over quantity. Joe’s thinking was “everything in moderation.” He instructed his clients on a healthy diet, movement for the physical fitness of the heart and entire body and his carefully executed movements to keep the muscles of the body fit and supple. He was in good physical health up until the end and he lived quite a productive life, despite his sickly childhood, so he knew a thing or two about what it takes to be healthy. He certainly did not subscribe to the “No Pain No Gain” philosophy. In fact, I would describe Joseph Pilates as one who knew when just enough, was enough.
Knowing when just enough, is enough, is an age old question many ask when it comes to so many issues in life. For example, when it comes to fitness. What is the best way to stay healthy? How much should you exercise, how intense, run, bike, swim, strength train, yoga, power yoga, hot yoga, how much weight, personal trainer, group fitness, boutique studio, health club? Finances. IRA, 401K, stocks, gold, real estate, which gives you the most yield/reward, what about taxes, how long should you work, how much money will you need for retirement, what about college? Education. Private, public, charter school, what are my child’s interests? AP classes, core curriculum, ACT, SAT, small school, big school, what career path should I steer my child to or away from?
The topic comes up frequently anytime we look at pretty much everything in our lives, what car to drive, how to care for our bodies, how we choose to spend our free time or time away. How much is enough or knowing when Enough is Enough. Isn’t that one of the key questions in life? For each one of us, the answer is always different. How much time does one want to put into something and usually how much of our finances as well, are part of the equation.
For some, simplicity is the key to life. Leonardo DaVinci said that, “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” “Simplicity is the essence of happiness,’ Cedric Bledsoe is quoted as saying. It’s up to each one of us to decide what makes us happy and when “Enough is Just Enough.”
This week there was chatter about Madonna in the news, both about her appearance at New York Fashion Week and and when Sabrina Carpenter paid tribute to her at the MTV Music Video Awards wearing the Bob Mackie dress she wore to the 1991Academy Awards. I read a few articles that made mention of her new look, so of course, I had to check it out. Madonna is a very driven, creative, perfectionist who is an incredible performer. Although I am no longer a fan, her dedication what she does, shows an incredible work ethic. Having lost her mother at a very young age, she found comfort in her dance. She worked hard to get a spot in the dance department at the University of Michigan and when she left school early to go to New York to pursue her dream as a dance and music performer, her hard work and determination paid off in a big way, in not a whole lot of time. She knows how to make things work. For whatever reason, Madonna decided to take drastic measures to look on the outside, possibly what she felt on the inside. Maybe the results were what she had planned. We don’t know. Possibly like so many of us, she just wanted to look more youthful and felt that this would do that for her. It can be harder for women to stay in ‘the game’ longer when it comes to a career. Men go gray and is is considered ‘distinguished’ for women, it may not be considered the same. Going gray can look becoming on men and can add credibility in certain professions. Women on the other hand often resort to hair color, make-up trips and treatments to look their best. Everyone decides on what is best for them and how far they will go and what is reasonable. When someone decides on a public career, such as a performer like Madonna, they get the fame, the attention, the accolades that come with a public life and with that all, does come some public criticism at times. There’s good with the fame and fortune and also when one puts themself out there, there’s the opportunity for criticism, which can be bad. Unfortunately, that’s just the way it is.
Madonna as a blond in her early twenties as her career was taking off and a few years later as a brunette. Always looking fit and at the top of her game. No one outworks “Madge”.
So much of life is knowing when enough is enough. Like knowing how to balance life. “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy,” or the saying goes. It can be a question asked throughout a lifetime, “When is enough, enough?” “Enough” for one person, might not be “Enough” for someone else. We’re all wired differently with different personalities, traits, gifts and life experiences. We bring all of these qualities to every decision we make. The more of life behind us, the more wisdom we bring to the table in making decisions. It’s important when we make the important decisions in life that we take each decision seriously carefully thinking of the options and consequences of our decisions. It might not be a bad idea, when it’s a decision that could change our lives, to get the thoughts of two to three people who you trust completely to give you an opinion that will have your best interest at hand. Of course, you will make your own decision, but to have the opinions of trusted advisors to consider, along with your own due diligence, can be nothing but a good things. Someone you consult, may bring up a point you had not thought or come across in doing YOUR homework.
Life is short. It’s important to figure out early what is enough, what makes us happy and what it takes to get there, so we have as much time as possible to enjoy life with those we love. It might be easier than you think, if you pin point what you are looking for and decipher when it’s ‘Just Enough.’ Remember, when it all comes down to it, each one of us is “Just Enough.” Just enough for those we love. The other stuff, is fluff. The “fluff” may enhance parts of our lives, there’s nothing wrong with that, but that’s all. Think about it…Who know, it might just make for…Many Great Days ❤️
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Just Enough
Sometimes, less is more & the more simple, the better
