Pilates Self-Care Saturday: Reset After Halloween

A woman lies peacefully on a Pilates mat, eyes closed, focusing on calm, steady breathing

After a week of sugar and late nights, your body is tired. The goal today isn’t to punish it but to reset.

1. Breathe quietly

If you can hear your breathing, it’s too loud. Sit or lie comfortably. Inhale through the nose, ribs expanding. Exhale through soft lips, ribs closing. This lowers tension and connects your breath to your core.

2. Fix the sugar posture

Sugar and tiredness pull you forward. Stand tall, feet hip-width, weight slightly forward. Inhale, reach arms out. Exhale, open them wide without pushing the ribs. Repeat 8 to 10 times. It resets the upper body and frees the spine.

3. Mobilise before you strengthen

Lie on your back, knees bent. Roll the spine up and down in slow pelvic curls, 6 to 8 reps. Then lift one leg to tabletop and lower with control. Alternate. You’re re-training stability, not chasing soreness.

4. Clean up the basics

Drink water with a pinch of salt and lemon. Eat protein at the first meal. Add fibre from fruit and greens. Stop eating two hours before sleep. These choices calm your system and help it repair.

5. Sleep properly

Low light before bed. Gentle breathing or slow rotations on your back. Let the nervous system quieten.

You don’t need to “burn off” Halloween. You need rhythm, breath, and focus. That’s Pilates.