We sat down with Bryony Deery, owner of Pilates By Bryony, to find out how to start our wellness journey …
On top of running Pilates classes both online and in person, wellness expert Bryony Deery is also co-founder of Cloudcha Matcha and host of Beyond The Mat podcast. We spoke to her ahead of a special Pilates class she taught at the launch of Beauty Days at Kildare Village.
What are your top three tips to start a health and wellness journey?
1. Find an accountability partner. This is a game changer, whether it is a trusted friend or family member.
2. Focus on your why. Why are you doing this? What do you want to achieve? Realising this really helps you to attach to your goals.
3. Find a practice that you love and can stay consistent with every day. Whether that is moving in the morning, meditation, walking, a Pilates class or anything else.
What supplements do you recommend?
With supplements, it is really important to get your hormones checked and see a hormone specialist. What I need may not be what you need. I take probiotics and magnesium every day; those are my non-negotiables.
What social media wellness trend do you disagree with?
It’s not that I disagree with it, but for me personally, I am not into intermittent fasting. I eat breakfast, I even had breakfast at 5am this morning! I am a big believer in fuelling your body.
“One of the main reason I love Pilates is that once you finish a class, you realise you have actually been free in your mind for the last half hour. You are so connected to your body, that your mind switches off”
On your podcast Beyond The Mat you talk to many health experts – what is one piece of advice that’s stuck with you?
I just had the incredible Peter Crone, The Mind Architect, on the podcast and we spoke about self-worth versus confidence. He used my surgery scar from my kidney removal as an example and asked if I thought about it every day, and I said no. He said that’s because it is integrated in me now, it is a part of me. If we learn to accept ourselves and our flaws, as we have learned to live with our physical scars, then we will accept them and grow to love them. I really like that one.
Why is Pilates so beneficial for our bodies and is equipment necessary?
You can do Pilates anywhere, anytime with no equipment. I have seen people do it in tiny hotel spaces, on a rug, even standing. It is incredible for longevity, especially for spinal health, and you are also building the most incredible foundation for your body. It is amazing for everyone, of all ages, all genders and the strength you get from Pilates is like none other.
Why is Pilates so beneficial for our minds?
One of the main reasons I love Pilates is that, once you finish a class, you realise that you have actually been free in your mind for the last half hour. For anyone who might struggle to meditate or do breathwork, or whatever it might be, once you get on the mat you realise you have had that free headspace and time for you, because you are so connected to your body and your mind is switched off.
How important is community for wellness and where have you found it?
I am so passionate about community, I think community across the board is so important. You need your solid friendships and people around you. I have found my community through all sorts of places from business opportunities to meeting up with friends for walks. I do a lot of community meet-ups via my app and I think it’s key. Women coming together, especially, can make amazing things happen. I also think we need to share more rather than gatekeeping. That is the importance of community, there is space for everyone.
Finally, should we all be drinking matcha?!
Yes! In a word. It is incredible, there are so many health benefits. Not only does it help your skin, but if you struggle with caffeine and find you get the jitters and anxiety from it, matcha has L-Theanine in it so you will get that hit, but it is more sustainable because L-Theanine will calm you down. It enters your system slower, stays longer and leaves more gradually, so you never get the same spikes and crashes.
See the full interview here:
Need to Know: For readers of THE GLOSS, Bryony has offered a code for a 30-day free trial on her online Pilates channel.
Here is what you need to know:
– Enter the code GLOSS
– You will receive 30-day free access
– Valid on monthly subscriptions only
– Valid from October 22 – January 25
https://studio.pilatesbybryony.com/checkout/subscribe/purchase