Pilates is about balance; both literally and figuratively. Certain moves like teasers and boomerangs demand physical balance between agonists and antagonists. Physiologically Pilates provides a balance of strength and flexibility. This muscle balance of eccentric and concentric contractions permit us to perform challenging sequences with ease. In addition Pilates requires a balance of concentration to small details but also awareness of the full integrated motion. The Pilates breath is a balance of deep inhalations with full exhalations.
Part of my attraction to Pilates is this idea of balance and control. Perhaps it is a lofty ideal to believe that a skill like Pilates or athletic challenge like tennis can teach me to be more balanced in other areas of my life. What we tend to do on the court or mat will likely transfer off the mat as well, right? Developing cognitive skills like patience, attention, and focus through an activity like Pilates or tennis will hopefully extend to real life situations including relationships, work, traffic jams and flat tires.
Unfortunately, even as I aim to incorporate these skills it can feel futile when a basic need is elusive. One of these needs is a critical component to daily life, a habit that revitalizes us mentally and physically. A need that we all have for optimal function and an area that without adequate attention contributes to significant stress, mental fatigue, and physical decline. It is something that no matter how much I have I feel I could always use more. That magic life component...sleep!
Over the years I have worked hard to structure my life to accommodate a full night's sleep. As all parents know, the entire sleep pattern is disrupted when children bless your home. Days blend into nights and weeks into months. Your body develops a pattern of sleeping in a light-state versus the deep REM patterns that account for dreams and a refreshed feeling in the morning. Some people are more vulnerable to fluctuations in the night-time environment while others appear completely resistant to noise, light, and temperature changes. In my family's case we have learned dad can stay up late, drift to sleep easily, sleep through every child's cough, shake of the dog's head, and the cycle of the furnace. Mom on the other hand needs pitch black, absolute silence, heavy blankets, and no motion. Any minor fluctuation in these settings can contribute to hours of sleeplessness. For those of us sensitive to sleep deprivation there is nothing worse than tossing, turning, and watching the clock advance while the rest of the house slumbers soundly.
I was reminded of my bizarre sleep habits when I awoke this morning. It has been a busy week at work, often with clients as early as 6a.m. and teaching classes until 8p.m. This does not imply I work non-stop 15 hours a day. I tend to teach when my clients are available so it may be four hours in the morning, a couple mid-day, and a few hours in the evening. Nonetheless, when 9pm rolls around I sometimes have trouble winding down as I am already anticipating an early alarm clock. To assist with promoting quality sleep I have relied on the sleep aid ambien to lead me to dreamland.
Last night we went with Ron's co-workers to Giggles Comedy Club. Ron won free admission for 30 guests so we recruited a babysitter and enjoyed a hilarious evening with headliner Johnny Millwatter from Charlotte, NC. Upon return home I felt "wired" so elected to take an Ambien just to "be safe." As I recall I was asleep before my head hit the pillow...a fabulous feeling.
This morning I did my routine computer check of emails and Facebook. I appreciate the assurance that my life is as blissfully simple as my friends. As I entered cyberspace I noted dogs wearing wigs, a college friend with a black eye from a skateboard "double-bounce" routine, and a few Farmville requests. I was surprised to see my huband had written a rather lengthy commentary on my Home Training business site regarding our entertaining evening. I removed the comment and then questioned his decision for posting our date-night on my "manager's" page. He adamantly denied any posting on the site and recounted that he had actually unplugged the computer before bed as it was processing slowly. Evidently, around midnight I plugged in the computer and in an ambien induced coma shared extensive details of the comedy without any cognizant awareness. I have heard of individuals who raid the refrigerator, run errands, and rearrange furniture without any morning recollection as a result of ambien.I thought I was immune to those risks. Now, however, I realize my sensitivity to the medication and the potential to make bizarre decisions while under its influence. As much as I yearn for the perfect sleep, after my midnight rambling experience I believe I should rely on more holistic measures to sleep. Some suggestions by sleep specialists include:
1) Create a restful environment free of clutter (mental note: move to new house)
2) Take a warm bath (remove barbies and boats from tub)
3) Make room dark (turn off LCD alarm clock, buy heavy shades, sleep in basement storage room)
4) Avoid heavy meals (too late...La Bamba burritos delivered from Madison this evening by niece)
5) Limit alcohol intake prior to sleep ( I live in Wisconsin)
6) Keep a note-pad (or blog) next to the bed to record distracting thoughts (10 pages later....)
7) Keep pets out of the bedroom (impossible--he was our first-born)
8) Avoid exercise late in the afternoon (find new job)
These techniques sound good on paper however the reality is making these adjustments in the midst of a busy family and home is challenging. It certainly takes mutual respect from all the family, pets included, to promote a sound slumber. As someone who has experienced intermittent insomnia over the years I hope a balance of sleep habits will translate to a better balance in relationships, athletic training, and enjoyment of all of life's activities. If I ever say anything inappropriate or utterly ridiculous on Facebook please excuse me...it was only the Ambien typing.
Sleep Tight!
Part of my attraction to Pilates is this idea of balance and control. Perhaps it is a lofty ideal to believe that a skill like Pilates or athletic challenge like tennis can teach me to be more balanced in other areas of my life. What we tend to do on the court or mat will likely transfer off the mat as well, right? Developing cognitive skills like patience, attention, and focus through an activity like Pilates or tennis will hopefully extend to real life situations including relationships, work, traffic jams and flat tires.
Unfortunately, even as I aim to incorporate these skills it can feel futile when a basic need is elusive. One of these needs is a critical component to daily life, a habit that revitalizes us mentally and physically. A need that we all have for optimal function and an area that without adequate attention contributes to significant stress, mental fatigue, and physical decline. It is something that no matter how much I have I feel I could always use more. That magic life component...sleep!
Over the years I have worked hard to structure my life to accommodate a full night's sleep. As all parents know, the entire sleep pattern is disrupted when children bless your home. Days blend into nights and weeks into months. Your body develops a pattern of sleeping in a light-state versus the deep REM patterns that account for dreams and a refreshed feeling in the morning. Some people are more vulnerable to fluctuations in the night-time environment while others appear completely resistant to noise, light, and temperature changes. In my family's case we have learned dad can stay up late, drift to sleep easily, sleep through every child's cough, shake of the dog's head, and the cycle of the furnace. Mom on the other hand needs pitch black, absolute silence, heavy blankets, and no motion. Any minor fluctuation in these settings can contribute to hours of sleeplessness. For those of us sensitive to sleep deprivation there is nothing worse than tossing, turning, and watching the clock advance while the rest of the house slumbers soundly.
I was reminded of my bizarre sleep habits when I awoke this morning. It has been a busy week at work, often with clients as early as 6a.m. and teaching classes until 8p.m. This does not imply I work non-stop 15 hours a day. I tend to teach when my clients are available so it may be four hours in the morning, a couple mid-day, and a few hours in the evening. Nonetheless, when 9pm rolls around I sometimes have trouble winding down as I am already anticipating an early alarm clock. To assist with promoting quality sleep I have relied on the sleep aid ambien to lead me to dreamland.
Last night we went with Ron's co-workers to Giggles Comedy Club. Ron won free admission for 30 guests so we recruited a babysitter and enjoyed a hilarious evening with headliner Johnny Millwatter from Charlotte, NC. Upon return home I felt "wired" so elected to take an Ambien just to "be safe." As I recall I was asleep before my head hit the pillow...a fabulous feeling.
This morning I did my routine computer check of emails and Facebook. I appreciate the assurance that my life is as blissfully simple as my friends. As I entered cyberspace I noted dogs wearing wigs, a college friend with a black eye from a skateboard "double-bounce" routine, and a few Farmville requests. I was surprised to see my huband had written a rather lengthy commentary on my Home Training business site regarding our entertaining evening. I removed the comment and then questioned his decision for posting our date-night on my "manager's" page. He adamantly denied any posting on the site and recounted that he had actually unplugged the computer before bed as it was processing slowly. Evidently, around midnight I plugged in the computer and in an ambien induced coma shared extensive details of the comedy without any cognizant awareness. I have heard of individuals who raid the refrigerator, run errands, and rearrange furniture without any morning recollection as a result of ambien.I thought I was immune to those risks. Now, however, I realize my sensitivity to the medication and the potential to make bizarre decisions while under its influence. As much as I yearn for the perfect sleep, after my midnight rambling experience I believe I should rely on more holistic measures to sleep. Some suggestions by sleep specialists include:
1) Create a restful environment free of clutter (mental note: move to new house)
2) Take a warm bath (remove barbies and boats from tub)
3) Make room dark (turn off LCD alarm clock, buy heavy shades, sleep in basement storage room)
4) Avoid heavy meals (too late...La Bamba burritos delivered from Madison this evening by niece)
5) Limit alcohol intake prior to sleep ( I live in Wisconsin)
6) Keep a note-pad (or blog) next to the bed to record distracting thoughts (10 pages later....)
7) Keep pets out of the bedroom (impossible--he was our first-born)
8) Avoid exercise late in the afternoon (find new job)
These techniques sound good on paper however the reality is making these adjustments in the midst of a busy family and home is challenging. It certainly takes mutual respect from all the family, pets included, to promote a sound slumber. As someone who has experienced intermittent insomnia over the years I hope a balance of sleep habits will translate to a better balance in relationships, athletic training, and enjoyment of all of life's activities. If I ever say anything inappropriate or utterly ridiculous on Facebook please excuse me...it was only the Ambien typing.
Sleep Tight!
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