María Giner: " I try not to put anything on my skin that I can't eat ."

Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with María Giner, founder of Pilates Mente. A project that seeks to balance body and mind from a holistic and healthy perspective through disciplines such as Pilates , Yoga , and Meditation .

María focuses especially on helping women throughout their lives and will soon be hosting an online workshop for women over 40. In this workshop, she will address menopause in a positive way and share tips on nutrition , exercise , healthy habits , and stress management , among other relevant topics. Below, we share our inspiring conversation with María Giner.

How did the idea to create Pilates Mente come about and what was your main motivation for founding this project?

Pilates Mente arises from my extensive experience in the field of exercise and wellness . I have always had a lot of energy , which led me to explore different sports . I fell in love with Pilates because of its focus on posture and body movement combined with breathing and other elements such as yoga , functional training , aerobics , mindfulness and nutrition to improve overall health . Additionally, I focus on stress management , healthy habits , energy sources , and mental and emotional care . The Pilates Mente logo contains a heart , as emotions are vital to our overall health. Our emotional state affects the way we exercise, train, and work. My main motivation is to help people take care of themselves and feel better by sharing my experiences and giving them the tools to live happier , healthier lives.

How do awareness, technique, posture, breathing, and emotions influence the holistic approach to Pilates Mente?

In my opinion , mindfulness training is more enriching than other types of exercise, although other forms are also enjoyable. By training consciously, we achieve greater concentration and activate human capacities, strengthening neuromuscular circuits . Neuroscience highlights the importance of breathing and posture to improve our back, body, brain, and cognitive abilities.

It's essential to pay attention to posture and technique when exercising, avoiding injuries and developing healthy habits. Emotions should also be considered in training, adapting it according to your emotional state.

At PilatesMente , the logo includes a heart, highlighting the importance of emotions . The evolution focuses not only on physical improvement, but also on improvement as a human being.

 

How important is the balance between work, personal life and health to you in the Pilates Mente philosophy?

I believe our lives are inseparable in every way, connecting work, home, and our personal lives. Personal life is crucial in Pilates Mente , where I guide my students through their physical and personal evolution. Consciously working with the body, breath, and posture can bring about significant changes in life and relationships.

I encourage my students to reflect on their current situation, treat themselves with compassion , and be realistic about their goals. I like to make my training engaging, utilizing play, humor, and fostering close relationships among those involved.

In short, everything is interconnected . If you don't enjoy your personal life or work, it will affect your energy and health. Similarly, not taking care of yourself impacts your personal and professional life. As I often say, "have a body that allows you to live the life you want to live," since life includes exercise, work, and personal life.

 

How do you manage to combine all the disciplines: Pilates, Functional Training, Yoga, Meditation, and barefoot training in your classes and programs?

Pilates Mente offers the necessary resources to maintain balance , achieve goals , and feel better at any stage of life. During personal training , the individual's current condition is assessed, considering aspects such as diet, sleep, stress, injuries, and relevant medical reports. Depending on specific needs, training focuses on strength , flexibility , or stress reduction , utilizing tools such as exercise, meditation, and yoga. Training is provided online and everyday items are used to exercise at home. For groups, a program is offered with weekly training , yoga and meditation , optional nutrition talks, and myofascial release workshops. Additionally, follow-up chats and missions are included to stay on track.

On May 14th, you're organizing a workshop for women over 40. Why did you decide to create this workshop?

Aimed at women over 40 , this workshop seeks to inspire you to live menopause in the best possible way, free from stereotypes and popular ideas. Menopause does not imply imbalance, but a phase of natural adjustment . Experiencing the changes of menopause in a healthy way, with energy and without being overweight or ill, allows you to enjoy this stage to the fullest. Menopause can be an opportunity to take better care of yourself and lay the foundations for the rest of your life. The workshop is relevant before, during, and after menopause . Aspects such as nutrition, physical activity, stress management, family and personal relationships , relationship with yourself, and physiological understanding of what happens in your body are addressed . This workshop is significant since menopause is often seen as something distant or overcome, making it necessary to face it in a comprehensive and conscious way .

What are the main difficulties faced by women over 40, and how does Pilates Mente address these challenges?

Today, for working women with children, taking care of themselves can seem like a utopia. As the founder of Pilates Mente and a Pilates and Yoga teacher , I want to make self-care more accessible to all women who truly want to do it.

Connecting with motivation is crucial to taking care of yourself, staying focused, and making it through the tough days. You don't need an expensive gym or long workouts; you can opt for micro-workouts every two hours or "10 for 2 Workouts," which consist of a 10-minute video that you can repeat for a total of 20 minutes.

I offer small group sessions at home with Pilates Mente on Mondays and Yoga and meditation on Wednesdays. It's also important to pay attention to your posture , eat well , and walk as much as possible.

We professionals are also available to help you manage, organize, and plan your personal care. Sometimes it's worth spending half an hour pampering yourself instead of watching Netflix or spending time on social media. The benefits are worth it.

What advice would you give to women about to enter menopause to help them cope with this change in the best way possible?

For women like me who are about to enter menopause , my recommendation is to be aware that you are experiencing a change in your body. This process isn't sudden, but rather the result of a year of hormonal fluctuations. It's important to take care of yourself to compensate for the lack of hormonal protection .

If you're already taking care of your health, you can address less-addressed areas. Nutrition is very important, but for me, exercise and stress management are the most important aspects. It's essential to maintain adequate physical activity.

I encourage you to sign up for an activity you enjoy, as the best exercise is one you enjoy. It's best to sign up for something you're interested in, whether with a friend, a family member, or alone. Make time to exercise and take care of yourself .

As for tools, I provide some through my social media, but there are many professionals who can help. A consultation with a professional can help you discover how to take better care of yourself. I invite you to take advantage of this wonderful time in your lives to get to know yourself better and enjoy the half of your life you still have left .

How can Pilates Mente help regulate stress and manage difficult life moments?

Pilates Mente is based on a conscious training approach that incorporates play , mindfulness , meditation , yoga movements , and weight-bearing strength training . This approach helps you become aware of your body , breathing , and posture , which reduces stress levels and the intensity with which you approach certain life moments. Furthermore, the process begins with improving your breathing , oxygenation , and a wide range of physical and mental skills , including self-esteem . Physical exercise , and the Pilates Mente method in particular, is an excellent way to manage difficult life moments.

What advice do you give to women who have little time to dedicate to exercise and self-care, but who want to improve their well-being?

If you're a woman who wants to take care of herself but doesn't have much time, there's an essential tool that can help you: turn your day into a gym . For example, instead of taking the subway escalator, take the stairs . If you can, park your car a little farther away or get off one stop early to actively walk and feel your body. Even if you have to go upstairs to talk to a colleague, take the opportunity to take the stairs and move around instead of sending an email. Try to get up from your chair as much as you can during the day and drink enough water to force yourself to go to the bathroom and get up. On my social media, I also offer micro-workouts , which are exercises to do several times a day without going to the gym or using special equipment. You can do them in a 10-minute video and repeat them to reach a total exercise time of 20 minutes a day or at least half an hour three times a week.

After a month of regular exercise , your body will thank you, and you'll see results. If you can, involve your children in play and physical activity , which will also motivate you to keep moving. If you need help getting started, there are always professionals who can help . In short, you can exercise and take care of your body anytime, anywhere, so there are no excuses not to start .

 

What is your opinion on the importance of using natural and organic products in daily life and how this relates to the philosophy of PilatesMentes and Home Healthy Home?

For several years now , I've been conscious of what goes into my body, not only through what I eat, but also through what I apply to my skin, what I read, and what I listen to. I look for natural and organic products that don't contain chemicals that are harmful to the environment. I believe it's important to avoid using chemicals in the home, such as pesticides that can be inhaled or harsh chemicals on clothing. Even when washing our underwear, we should be careful with the detergents we use. For body care, I always try to use natural soaps and oils , such as olive and coconut oil, which I keep in the kitchen and bathroom. It's essential to take care of our skin by using products that are nontoxic and nonharmful to our health.

What are your favorite Home Healthy Home products and why?

My favorite Home Healthy Home products are three. The first is the olive oil hand soap . I love it because it's the most natural and simplest. Plus, it reminds me of my childhood.
Then there's this magical stain remover that's truly the traditional Castile soap. It works wonders for me because I have a child.
Then I really like soap No. 14 for washing sportswear.
It's a soap I love because it really takes care of my technical clothing, which has a lot of stretch. I love its citrus scent and texture.

What message do you think Home Healthy Home and Pilates Mente can convey together to their clients and students in terms of well-being and sustainability?

To feel good about yourself, I believe it's important to feel good about your surroundings and for them to be as natural as possible. We're designed for a natural environment , not for a life surrounded by chemicals and harmful substances, preservatives, and pesticides. So our bodies are infinitely grateful when we take care of them, with everything that's natural and sustainable , that takes care of our environment.
From anywhere, from home, in the car, with what you wear, what you eat, what you breathe. Our bodies will function much better if we take care of them this way. I'm convinced.

Where and how can our readers join Pilates Mente or participate in the online workshop for women over 40 that you're organizing?

To sign up for the workshop for women over 40 and a healthy menopause , you can access the form directly on my Instagram profile @maria_giner_ . At the end, there's a URL with the direct link . I also usually feature it in my stories , and you can see a video showing you how to do it in the first row of my wall .

Before we say goodbye, is there any advice or inspirational message you'd like to share with our readers who are looking to improve their health and well-being?

A message that can inspire you to take care of yourself: first, look in the mirror . Observe yourself, talk to yourself, and connect with that person you are, who deserves to be well, to be happy, to have health and energy. See if you're already taking care of yourself, and if you're not, think realistically: how can you do it? From there, from that connection with self-love , with the love you have for yourself, you deserve that care. So start organizing yourself to see how you can do it. There are so many ways to do it. It's not complicated; it's just a matter of getting started . And if you need help, we can have a consultation and I'll help you get on the right track, at least at first.

www.mariaginer.es - Pilates Mentes - Balance between Body and Mind