The True Core Through Pilates (Article published in Green Magazine)
People start pilates for all sorts of reasons – many are seeking to rehabilitate their bodies from injuries, accidents or surgeries. And pilates can address these as it promises a stronger core, long and lean muscles, increased flexibility and better posture. In Los Angeles, there is an abundance of qualified pilates instructors that can easily address all of this. At Core Arts Pilates however, we approach the human body in a different light. The approach is different than what you find at many pilates studios.
We call this approach a “heart-centered” approach. It is aimed at the true core of the body. What does heart-centered mean? Being heart-centered means that one uses their “heart” to initiate and guide every thought, feeling, emotion, word, and action. Heart-centered is sharing, serving and operating from a place of loving. Being of loving service opens a door where a relationship can grow and where the foundation is trust. At Core Arts Pilates, we look at each client and ask how we can be of service.
The Core Arts staff believes that making a connection with clients is the most important and vital part to teaching pilates. “Anybody can teach pilates and help change people’s bodies, we believe that pilates can do so much more. We are very interested in establishing a connection with our clients in order to create lasting change through the Pilates Method,” says Sharmila Mitra, owner of Core Arts Pilates.
Mitra reflects on a particular situation during 9-11, when she lived in New York, she had a client that went back to work in the Financial District: “He came in for pilates twice a week. One day, he came in and told me that he lost 60 friends from this tragedy and was going to 3 funerals a day. I realized at that moment that being of service was much more important than relaying a series of critiques on pilates exercises. The best way that I could be of service to my client was to honor his emotions, support him in whatever mental state he was in and use the pilates method on the physical level to bring him back into balance.”
The heart-centered approach to pilates is gently working the body in a way that involves us to be strong, open and vulnerable all at the same time. It means unraveling day-to-day habits and years of body patterns that we are accustomed to. In order for this to occur, it may involve deeper healing to release a part of us that no longer serves our physicality. The instructors at Core Arts Pilates know that in order to achieve greater well being and healing, it means balancing the body on the physical, mental and emotional levels.
“Over the years, I took from many instructors who simply called out exercises and gave corrections similar to a drill sergeant…often, I left feeling agitated, frustrated and even exhausted from these workouts rather than feeling uplifted. Many times, my instructor would hardly ask how I was or did not respond to my concerns about my body or progress. It was always the teachers that exhibited care, concern and compassion in their teaching where I found that my body held and maintained lasting results,” Mitra explains on her experience in finding the right teacher.
Core Arts Pilates is excited to announce their partnership with RA Physical Therapy in Beverly Hills. Together as a team, their intention is to inspire their clients and patients through physical therapy and pilates to heal gracefully and easily from their injuries and challenges.
Sharmila Mitra finished her certification with Romana Kryzanowska in 2000, and with Power Pilates in 2004. She is a graduate of University of Santa Monica, earning a Master’s degree in Spiritual Psychology. She is the owner of Core Arts Pilates, managing two locations in Orange County and Beverly Hills.
