Nature and Nurture

Recently I had the pleasure of returning to the Missouri forest. In these past few weeks, time has been precious-- sometimes even fleeting. The quiet, first days of our time in St.Louis have been replaced with schedules, school, and the moments in between. Last Monday I decided we needed a break from the routine, and so, upon rising, I decided to get away. Away from the urban sidewalks is not too far, considering St.Louis is a fairly large city. We settled on Castlewood State Park for our journey with the dogs and the pictures will tell the story.
Spending time in Missouri nature can be difficult. The air is sometimes oppressive: humidity, mosquitos, and robust temperatures make hiking an arduous task. The rewards are more subtle than our West Coast counterparts. Coming home to an air-conditioned apartment afterward does feel soothing... but I still wonder:
Is spending time in nature any different whether you're in California or in Missouri?
The real answer, at the bottom of all of these trivialities is 'NO'.
As important as our constant work in taking care of our bodies in the Pilates studio, at work, and with our families, it is of equal importance to spend time outdoors. Joseph Pilates encouraged this work; our work in nature. The fresh air is cleansing and healing to our bodies in a way that nothing else is. When spending time in the air conditioning, it is even more important to take a step into the 'real' air once in a while. The body responds with a rapid burst of perspiration, but ultimately adjusts, and takes to the heat. At the end of the hike, one feels invigorated; fresh and wet with the internal water of our bodies brought to the surface.

The Move to Midwest Territory

A few months ago, my friend Bob Lake noted that I had not posted on my blog since 2008. My goodness, what an observation. So many things changed for us since that year forever ago. We've moved to Saint Louis, MO. my hometown. Life is different now than it was when I grew up, and even since I moved away at the age of 18. The city is redeveloping into a little microcosm of culture and sustainability. People all around us are inspired for the future; our new President is making changes. Saint Louis is a pretty cool place to live again.
Our new home is in the historic Flad Avenue temple, a historically Jewish building circa 1880. It is something worth seeing; ornate, floor to ceiling windows that let in morning sunshine. We put in a little vegetable garden down near the entrance and added climbing Nasturshum vines and yellow Hibiscus topiaries. Little by little the place is coming around. We've opened a little Pilates studio and are in the process of adding some group Springboard classes, and taking on clients for private sessions. I hope to call the studio Pilates of Tower Grove.
Officially we'd like to welcome you over--whether it's through the e-lines of blogdom or through our front door. To try out some Pilates, or try your hand at tomato picking.
cheers,
Sarah and Simon

Simon Graduates from college!

Tomorrow I've got a new client coming in for the first time, and I'm thinking about this blogging thing. I figured there is only so much time I can leave my blog empty and then I remembered what I wanted to write about. Today my boyfriend of 6 years has become a college graduate! I'm so proud of him-- we spent the day biking around San Francisco enjoying the city and the sunshine. What a perfect way celebrate a new path for the future. To all the college grads out there-- it doesn't matter how long it takes you, it's what you make of it that counts.