Look, there is no shortage of workouts available out there for us to choose from, but there is so much more to deciding which workout is best for us than just having that "hot bod” mentality. Now we are all for having that hot girl summer motivation, but with all we know now, it is safe to say that true physical wellness is nothing without positive mental wellness. So we are focusing on that mind-body connection with the help of wellness and fitness expert, Tasha Franken, creator of online fitness platform, T – F Studio. As most of us are no strangers to the trials and errors of experimenting with different workout routines or trends of the season, it is time to go back to an old tried and true favorite — pilates!

“I developed T – F Studio after trying every method, fitness class and trainer around the world and really struggling to find something that actually made me feel good,” shares Franken. “I spent years alternating between intense workouts and slower methods, when I realized how much better I felt every time I slowed down and really connected with my body through slow, controlled movement. While I enjoyed the challenge that I felt doing more intense workouts, they always left me feeling drained and inflamed if I did them too often. This is why I really wanted to create a Pilates method that feels good and strengthens both mind and body to create mental and physical results.”

Here are a few effective ways to prioritize that feel good feeling into your next workout.

TASHA’S TOP TECHNIQUES TO FEEL THAT MIND-BODY CONNECTION

Start slow. 

“I would say less is more! Instead of following trends, experiment new movements and stick with what works for you, because everyone is different so there is no ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to working out and feeling your best. My favorite combination personally is Pilates and walking. I would be happy to never do spinning again, it’s not for me. But again, to each their own, it’s important to find something YOU enjoy!”   

Don’t forget to breathe.

“Pilates really focuses on mind-body connection. I always emphasize the importance of breath. I would also recommend starting slow and work your way up instead of jumping straight into advanced workouts. This will allow you to focus on the correct form and avoid injuries.” 

Hold.

“You want to create resistance using your own bodyweight to really FEEL the moment and the muscles that you’re working. While pilates may look easy, it’s actually very challenging.” 

Just make a move.

“My number one tip is to stay consistent, even if it’s just 10 minutes a day! By incorporating some form of movement into your daily routine it will quickly become a sustainable habit so that you don’t have to dread or overthink. There is no need to workout for hours every day, it’s not sustainable in the long run, especially if you’re busy, but I do think that we should all stretch and walk more.” 

If you are ready to start your journey towards total mind-body connection, sign up for your 7-day free trial with T – F Studio at Tashafranken.tv. The workouts are designed to work for EVERYONE, and can be accessed anywhere and anytime using minimal space, time and equipment at an affordable price. And if you’re looking for more tips or want to see what Tasha Franken is up to, follow her on Instagram @tashafranken.