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Pilates and the Holidays: Finding Joy, Balance, and a Little Champagne

Writer's picture: Michael KingMichael King

Cosy Christmas scene featuring a tree and a dinner table perfect for mindful holiday joy.
A festive Christmas setting, blending indulgence and celebration with a beautifully set traditional dinner table.

The holidays have officially arrived and you can feel it in the air and see it everywhere. Christmas trees light up shop windows, festive songs are playing on repeat, and before you know it, you’re surrounded by a whirlwind of glittering lights, to-do lists, and invitations. For me, it’s the best time of the year. There’s nothing I love more than Christmas Eve with a bottle of champagne, watching White Christmas, and then indulging in all the festive joys of Christmas dinner and Boxing Day traditions.

But as we all know, the holidays aren’t all sparkle and bliss for everyone. There’s also stress, packed schedules, and (let’s admit it) the nagging voice of health marketing, urging us to “burn it off” or “undo” the indulgences. This narrative not only spoils the joy but also adds unnecessary pressure to what should be a time of celebration.

As Pilates teachers, we’re in a unique position to offer something better and a chance to balance the excitement, indulgence, and busyness of the season with mindful movement, self-care, and a healthy mindset.


Let’s Talk About Holiday Weight Gain

Before we dive into strategies, let’s bust a holiday myth. The belief that we all gain five pounds over the festive season? It’s just that and a myth. Research shows that the average holiday weight gain is closer to one pound. That’s right. One.

So why the panic? The stress of trying to avoid this single pound often does more harm than the indulgences themselves. It’s not the mince pies or mulled wine that leave us feeling heavy; it’s the cortisol from all the stress and guilt wrapped around them. And stress isn’t just bad for your mood and it impacts immunity, inflammation, and overall health.


A Pilates-Inspired Holiday Approach

This is where Pilates — and our role as teachers — shines. Instead of framing the holidays as a time to survive or “fix,” we can help our clients embrace the season with joy and mindfulness. Here’s how I approach it, both in my classes and my own holiday routine:

1. Embrace the Indulgence

Christmas is my time to celebrate, and I encourage my clients to do the same. Indulge mindfully, enjoy what you love, and let go of guilt. Whether it’s champagne on Christmas Eve or a second helping of dessert, these moments are meant to be savoured.

2. Reframe the Message

Instead of focusing on burning calories or compensating for meals, I highlight the restorative and stress-relieving benefits of Pilates. My holiday classes focus on reconnecting with the body, releasing tension, and finding balance in the chaos.

3. Encourage Rest and Reflection

Boxing Day, for me, is a time to recharge after the celebrations, and it’s a great moment to encourage clients to pause and reflect. Suggest slower, more restorative sessions or even just time to breathe and be present.

4. Celebrate Movement as Joy

Pilates is never about punishment. Whether it’s a gentle stretch class or a lively session to release energy, I frame movement as something to enhance joy, not earn indulgences.

5. Lead by Example

I share my own festive routines with my clients, from my love of White Christmas to my Boxing Day traditions. It’s a reminder that even teachers embrace the season fully , and that’s perfectly okay.


The Holiday Mindset Shift

Imagine if our holiday messaging wasn’t about “undoing” anything but about embracing the season for what it is: a chance to connect with loved ones, enjoy life, and recharge. As Pilates teachers, we can lead this change.

Encourage clients to prioritise:

  • Rest: Teach them that slowing down is part of self-care.

  • Mindful indulgence: Help them see food as something to be enjoyed, not feared.

  • Stress relief: Use Pilates as a tool to decompress, not punish.

Wellness isn’t just about what we eat or how we move. It’s about how we feel, how we connect, and how we nurture our overall well-being.


Bringing Pilates into the Holiday Season

As we approach Christmas, I’m preparing not just for my own celebrations but also for how I can guide my clients through this festive time. Whether it’s a stress-relieving session before the big day or a gentle class to start Boxing Day, Pilates offers the perfect balance to the season’s highs and lows.


Let’s embrace this holiday with all its glitter, joy, and yes, indulgence. As teachers, we have the opportunity to inspire our clients to do the same and to slow down, find balance, and savour every moment. Because if there’s one thing Pilates teaches us, it’s that life, like movement, is all about finding harmony.


Happy holidays, and here’s to a season filled with joy, balance, and just the right amount of champagne.

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