Since the beginning of December, I have been on a bit of a health kick.  Some of you may be wondering what this has to do with playing the harp, but it has EVERYTHING to do with it!  Over the past 3 years I have had quite a lot of shoulder discomfort that I put down to holding my arms up for harping and driving for long periods of time as well as the pressure involved in performing in often quite highly charged situations.  In early January a flyer for Pilates classes in my village came through my letterbox and I thought this was a serendipitous opportunity to take advantage of the first class at half price to see if I liked it.  I tried Yoga a few years ago and it just wasn't my thing.  I went to my first class with a little fear and anticipation, and I was not very good of course, but something clicked for me, my body seemed to love the feeling of gentle movement and stretching and being taken care of for the first time in quite a while.  I committed to trying it for 6 weeks and I started going to classes in both Meltham and Holmfirth twice a week.  Sometimes I would come out of class feeling infuriated that I couldn't manage one of the exercises, other times I came out on a cloud as both my mind and body were at peace.  I bought a Pilates mat, a chi-ball, dynabands and a block.  Now I do 10 minutes stretching and grounding before I start my harp practice which gets me in touch with my body and clears my mind, and on the days I don't have class I do up to an hour at home.  One of the benefits for me is that I can do it when and wherever I want, and especially in hotel rooms when I'm working away.  The classes are run by the amazing Anne Little and she is assisted by Julie and Karen, who is a physiotherapist, so I really feel I'm in good hands.  I have had one of the best Winters on a personal level after quite a challenging time in 2017, and I put a lot of that down to discovering this incredible form of physical activity.  I feel stronger both physically and mentally and I wish I had discovered Pilates years ago.   I am certain that it has had a positive effect on my harp practice too - I have been reminded that subtleness is crucial.  What I've found is that if I try too hard or not hard enough then I don't feel the benefit.  Funny that!  In my first classes I was tensing up and feeling nothing.  And then there's the breathing.  Translating what I learn in Pilates into my harp work is fascinating and has given my playing a new lease of life.

http://www.talkactive.co.uk/classes/modern-pilates