I've got some new videos brewing that will demonstrate some exercises to help you build a healthy fascial structure. But while we're waiting for those, I wanted to share some big news and a message that I think is more important than just about anything else.

Actually, I'm pretty excited to share this with you! I’ve been thinking about launching a new series called Miracle-Minded Body for a while now, and I've recently noticed a powerful thought pattern in the studio that also serves as a beautiful jumping-off point to tell you about the new series.

The Miracle-Minded Body will be a new series that will bring you tools in the form of articles, video, and audio to help you take your body and your life, both in and outside the studio, to the next level.

Our minds play a powerful and underappreciated role in the health and daily function of our bodies. When we tune in to the power our minds have to influence and actually transform our body, significant, lasting change is really possible.

You may not know that I have scoliosis, an abnormal lateral curvature in my spine, and that this was painful enough at one point to end my fourteen-year career in hairstyling.

And you also may not know that I no longer suffer from that severe pain and I credit Pilates with a lot of my pain-free life today. But, I also credit changes I've made in my thinking, just as much, if not more.

It may sound a bit “out there” for some folks, but it's my truth and I've seen how changes in thinking have influenced many other's lives over the last three years as well. Quite frankly, I feel like I’m doing a disservice if I don't talk about it.

What Exactly is a Miracle-Minded Body?

The metaphysical text and self-study guide A Course In Miracles defines a miracle as a shift in perception from fear to love.

An interesting thing to note about fear is that many of us hear that word and we think, “oh yeah, I know what that is and I know when I'm feeling it.” But, as it turns out, there a lot of times when we are numb, or completely unaware that we're creating and living in a fear-based state of mind.

It's incredibly subtle sometimes and it starts unconsciously when we're very young. And then it just stays with us, just under the threshold of conscious thought until we decide one day to actually go looking for it.

Fear-based thoughts sometimes don't look or sound at all like fear, but I've learned to notice them when others speak them as well as when I think them myself.

Here are some examples of fear-based thoughts I overhear all the time:

• I am too weak to do this exercise.
• I am not good at this.
• I can’t do this.
• I suck.
• I'm fat.
• I'm broken.
• This is just how I am.
• I’ll never be able to do this.
• I am permanently this way.
• I can’t do real Pilates.

These fear-based statements are just a few examples of the kinds of negative affirmations I hear people make on a regular basis. I've been guilty of making negative affirmations like these myself.

That’s right, not all affirmations are necessarily positive—and negative affirmations have just as much power to change you as the positive ones.

Any time you make a statement about yourself, especially when you put “I am” in front of it, you're making a declaration about yourself; whether it's positive or negative doesn't matter. And guess what? When you say, or think these affirmations, chances are you'll prove yourself right.

When you think fear-based thoughts while attempting something that requires strength, like Pilates for instance, your results are going to be a fraction of what they could be.

Love is stronger than fear…always.

So the best way to support your successful self is to make a positive affirmation in the moment you're attempting something new and/or difficult. If you're on your Pilates mat you might say to yourself, or out loud, “I am strong” or, “I can totally do this”. These are love-based thoughts and your results are going to be stronger and you will feel so much better.

You still might not be able to completely do the exercise you are working towards, but you will be closer than you were before you started. You will have already achieved success in your mind and the body will inevitably follow when it can.

The fact that you are even doing an exercise, or working to improve your movement patterns in the first place is the real measure of success. Simply making the attempt is success.

Reward yourself for this! Acknowledge your commitment to yourself by being present in the moment and celebrating the exercise you are working on.

By shifting your thoughts to celebrating your attempts versus beating yourself up for not being able to do it completely, or the way you think you should be able to, you are shifting your perception from fear to love.

This shift in perception is what a Miracle-Minded Body is all about.

It’s too easy to fall into letting the mat be a place to beat yourself up. And this is the complete opposite reason we choose to hit the mat in the first place. We hit the mat to feel better, move our bodies and get stronger.

That voice inside your head isn’t always nice, or truthful when it's negative. When we listen to what that negative voice has to say, or unconsciously affirm what it is telling us by saying the thoughts out loud, you will see those negative results in your body. This can be the core reason you don't see results that you fully expected and would have seen otherwise!

Luckily, you'll also see love-based thoughts manifest as powerful, positive changes in your body too, only you'll see and feel those results in what I like to call HD-Reality. 😀

So, keep your eyes peeled for news about the new series, Miracle-Minded Body plus the upcoming fascia exercise videos that will teach you how to keep your fascia and your body hydrated and healthy.

I love writing and making videos and it’s important to me that I focus on topics that you are interested in and want to learn more about. So if there's a topic you’d like me to discuss, or if you have a specific question you'd like to hear my take on, let me know!

I look forward to hearing from you.

See you in the studio,
Sydney