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At 11pm on Sunday, I found myself thinking about the sentence I repeat at least 3 times a day:
Can you lift a little bit higher?
Ever since becoming a Pilates Instructor (woohoo!! More on this later 😉) I tell my Pilates clients this after guiding them onto a shoulder bridge. Here, they've exhaled to curl up, using their core and heels to press their pelvic bone up towards the sky. Then comes the hold. As I count down the time, I cue them to amplify their movement by lifting their hips up a little higher on what is probably their most mass heavy body part. Exhausting their push. Challenging them to resist where it no longer feels easy— here, it’s probably uncomfortable.
"Can you do more here?" I ask, anyway.
This "more" is where the push starts to prove itself. This is where the muscle that was accustomed to giving up, finally starts remembering: this is my form; this is what I can do; I can truly lift higher. And, I am.
I’ve started applying this same line of questioning to my personal life. Pushing myself to do one more thing that exceeds my level of comfort. No matter how [relatively] small. So, I'm inviting you to consider the same: Can you prep just one more email before you sign off? Can you recall one more moment you're grateful for? Can you pitch to one more potential client? Can you tussle one last time with that negative thought?
Where can you push a little bit more?
This push point is often where the breakthrough happens. Where you see real progress. Where you generate strength and proof for what’s next. Give your mind something to work with!
So the next time you’re ready to pause or quit — ask yourself how you can amplify your movement with one more tiny push, small squeeze, or little lift (literally and figuratively).
You'll find you actually can. And your progress will thank you for it.
xoxo,
Joy Ubani
P.S. I officially completed my Pilates Teacher Training early this Spring! Now, I'm finally teaching Pilates. I'll share this journey with you soon. But in the meantime -- how are you? I love hearing from you, so please reply, say hi, and let me know if "lifting a little bit higher" resonates this week 😉
