www.pdpool.com As more people seek low-impact fitness, the popularity of Pilates continues to rise. For the second consecutive year, the practice has topped the charts as the most popular workout worldwide according to ClassPass’s 2024 fitness report.¡ "Our growth year over year prior to COVID was consistently strong at 12-18%,” says Chanin Cook, director of marketing for Balanced Body®, considered the global leader in Pilates equipment and education. “Coming out of COVID, our annual growth has accelerated to 25-30% continuously.” Why are people flocking to reformers? Beyond the physical benefits, mental health awareness may play a role. Pilates focuses on building core strength, improving flexibility and enhancing posture. But it is also a thoughtful practice with emphasis placed on the mind-body connection. The practice encourages participants to connect their movements with their mental state through controlled breathing and awareness. This combined focus on physical exertion and mental clarity can help promote relaxation and relieve stress.© The community aspect of studios also contributes to a sense of belonging. "The availability of affordable, regularly scheduled, conveniently located, group Pilates classes continues to feed growing market demand,” adds Cook. “The explosive post-quarantine growth worldwide is largely attributed to consumers' renewed focus on overall wellbeing.” Chris Dordell, owner of two local Club Pilates studios in Palm Springs and Rancho Mirage says the franchise has grown to over 1,100 worldwide. Dordell left his corporate job to open the studios in 2018 after experiencing the benefits first-hand. Following the pandemic, his husband joined the business and growing interest in Pilates led to expansion; they now offer 170 classes weekly between their two studios. “We often hear from members that Pilates is more than movement—it's a practice of presence,” says Dordell. “During class we work on calming the busy thoughts of the day, focusing on breath and connecting the mind and body. Students often walk out of class feeling both energized and calm at the same time.” Pilates appeals to those seeking balance in more ways than one. With its combination of physical benefits and focus on mindfulness, Pilates is not merely a workout; it is a wellness routine for both body and mind. Lauren Del Sarto can be reached at Lauren@deserthealthnews.com. References: 1) https://classpass.com/blog/2024-classpass-look-back-report/; 2) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29609943/ In the early morning light, the desert reveals itself—not as an empty wasteland, but as a living teacher of patience, resilience and hidden abundance. As yoga practitioners in this unique environment, we have the opportunity to learn from one of nature's most profound classrooms, where survival itself is a masterclass in adaptation and mindfulness. Patience: the slow unfoldment The mighty saguaro cactus grows merely an inch in its first eight years and might wait 75 years to extend its first arm. Yet these sentinels of the desert can live for 200 years, standing as monuments to patience. Similarly, our yoga practice teaches us that transformation occurs not in dramatic leaps, but in consistent, mindful moments accumulated over time. When students become frustrated with their progress in challenging poses, such as crow posture or dancer, I remind them of the desert's pace. The most significant growth happens beneath the surface—roots extending downward before the plant reaches skyward. Just as the ocotillo appears dead during winter only to pop with vibrant colors in the spring, our practice may seem dormant at times while profound changes are happening internally. Adaptation: thriving in changing conditions Desert creatures have evolved remarkable adaptations—kangaroo rats synthesizing water internally, cactus wrens nesting in thorny protection, wildflowers completing their entire life cycle in mere weeks after a rain. These incredible acts of nature mirror yoga's fundamental teaching about embracing change rather than resisting it. When the summer heat intensifies, we adapt our practice moving from vigorous vinyasa to more cooling practices. When injury or life circumstances change our bodies, we modify rather than abandon our practice. This willingness to adapt isn't compromise, but wisdom allowing us to sustain our practice through all seasons of life. Finding abundance in simplicity At first glance, the desert palette seems limited—muted browns, sages and tans. But pause longer, and you'll discover a spectrum of color and life that rivals any ecosystem. Tiny wildflowers emerge from seemingly barren soil. Hummingbirds dart between cactus blooms. Life thrives in unexpected places. Our yoga practice similarly reveals that simplicity contains multitudes. A single conscious breath can transform our nervous system. The apparent simplicity of mountain posture contains every alignment principle needed for advanced postures. The desert teaches us that when we slow down enough to truly observe, abundance reveals itself in the simplest forms. www.DesertHealthNews.com May/June 2025 Fitness The Valley's Leading Resource for Health and Wellness 22 www.gatherlaquinta.com 760.219.7953 78010 Main Street Suite 201 gatherlaquinta.com yoga barre breathwork meditation sound baths pilates/yoga fusion Scan to view schedule Resilience through restoration Desert plants don't fight drought, they prepare for it; storing resources during abundance and becoming dormant when necessary. The creosote bush can shut down all but its essential functions during extreme conditions, then spring back to life when rain returns. Our practice similarly requires us to honor the rhythm of effort and restoration. The most resilient yogis aren't those who practice the most intensely, but those who know when to rest. Savasana (rest) isn't an afterthought but essential integration, just as the desert's cool night allows for the processing of the day's sunlight. As we roll out our mats, we can carry these desert lessons with us—patience with our progress, adaptability to changing circumstances, appreciation for simplicity, and the wisdom of restoration. The desert, like yoga itself, reveals its deepest treasures not to the casual tourist, but to the dedicated observer who returns again and again, willing to be transformed by its silent teachings. Jennifer Yockey is an E-RYT500 yoga instructor, an IAPRC professional life and recovery coach and owner of GATHER Yoga + Wellness. She can be reached at (760) 219.7953 or for more information, visit www.gatherlaquinta.com. The desert landscape blooms with life and lessons we can take to the mat. The most resilient yogis are those who know when to rest. Pilates focuses on thoughtful movement, core strength and flexibility. The practice and equipment (including reformers pictured here) can be adjusted for ability, age and preference. Yoga Lessons from Our Arid Desert Landscape By Jennifer Yockey The Rise of Pilates for Body and Mind By Lauren Del Sarto
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