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 balance between body and mind from a holistic and healthy approach through disciplines such as Pilates , Yoga and Meditation .

María focuses especially on helping women throughout their lives, and will soon organize an online workshop for women over 40 years old. In this workshop, you will address menopause in a positive way and share advice 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 of ​​creating 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 well-being . I always had a lot of energy , which led me to explore different sports . I fell in love with Pilates for its focus on body posture and 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 , since 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 , sharing my experiences and giving them the tools to live a happier and healthier life.

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

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

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

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

 

What importance do you give to the balance between work, personal life and health 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 at Pilates Mente , where I accompany my students in their physical and personal evolution. Mindfully working with your body, breathing, and posture can make important changes in your life and relationships.

I invite my students to reflect on their current situation, treat themselves with compassion , and be realistic about their goals. I like my training to be enjoyable, using games, humor and fostering close relationships between those involved.

In short, everything is interconnected . If you don't enjoy your personal life or work, it will affect your energy and health. Likewise, 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," because life includes exercise, work, and personal life.

 

How do you manage to combine all the disciplines: Pilates, Functional Training, Yoga, Meditation and barefoot work 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 current state of the individual is evaluated considering aspects such as diet, sleep, stress, injuries and relevant medical reports. Depending on specific needs, training focuses on strength , flexibility , or stress reduction , using tools such as exercise, meditation, and yoga. Online training is provided 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. Plus, follow-up chats and quests are included to keep you on the right path.

Next May 14 you are organizing a workshop for women over 40. Why have you decided to create this workshop?

Aimed at women over 40 years of age , this workshop seeks to inspire people to experience menopause in the best possible way, free of stereotypes and popular ideas. Menopause does not imply imbalance, but rather a natural adjustment phase . Experiencing the changes of menopause in a healthy way, with energy and without being overweight or sick, allows you to enjoy this stage to the fullest. Menopause can be an opportunity to take better care of yourself and set the stage 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 over, and it is 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?

Nowadays, for women who work and have 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 for all women who really want to do it.

It is crucial to connect with the motivation to take care of yourself, keep it present and overcome difficult days. You don't need an expensive gym or long workouts, you can opt for micro-workouts every two hours or the "10 by 2 Workouts" , which consist of a 10-minute video that you can repeat for 20 minutes of total training.

I offer small group sessions at home with Mente Pilates on Mondays and Yoga and meditation on Wednesdays. Additionally, it is important to pay attention to posture , eat well , and walk as much as possible.

Professionals are also available to help you manage, organize and plan your personal care. Sometimes it's worth spending half an hour taking care of yourself instead of watching Netflix or spending time on social media. The benefit this brings is worth it.

What advice would you give to women who are about to enter menopause to face this change in the best way possible?

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

If they are already taking care of their health, they can address less cared for aspects. Nutrition is very important, but for me, physical exercise and stress management are the most important aspects. It is necessary not to lack adequate physical activity.

I encourage you to sign up for an activity that you like, since the best exercise is the one you do with pleasure. The best thing is to sign up for something that attracts you, whether with a friend, a family member or alone. Take time to train and take care of yourself .

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

How can Pilates Mente help in regulating stress and managing difficult life moments?

Mind Pilates is based on a mindful 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 face certain vital moments. Additionally, the process begins with improving your breathing , oxygenation , and a wide range of physical and mental abilities , including self-esteem . Physical exercise and , in particular, the Pilates Mente method 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 are a woman who wants to take care of yourself but doesn't have much time, there is a fundamental tool that can help you: turn your daily life into a gym . For example, instead of taking the subway escalator, walk down the stairs . If you can, leave the car a little further away or get off a stop earlier to walk actively and feel your body. Even if you have to go upstairs to talk to a coworker, take the opportunity to take the stairs and move around instead of sending an email. Try to get out of 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 networks, I also propose micro-workouts that are exercises to do several times a day without having to go to the gym or use 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 doing regular exercise , your body will thank you and you will see the results. If you can, engage through play and physical activity with your children , which will also motivate you to keep moving. If you need help getting started, there are always professionals who can help you . 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 about the importance of using natural and ecological products in daily life and how this relates to the philosophy of PilatesMentes and Home Healthy Home?

For several years now , I have become aware of what goes into my body, not only through what I eat, but also what I apply to my skin, what I read and what I listen to. I look for natural and ecological products that do not contain chemicals harmful to the environment. I think it is important to avoid using chemicals in the home, such as pesticides that can be inhaled or aggressive substances for clothing. Even when washing our underwear, we must be careful with the detergents we use. To care for our body, I always try to use natural soaps and oils , such as olive and coconut oil, which I have in the kitchen and bathroom. It is essential to take care of our skin using products that are not toxic or aggressive to our health.

What are your favorite Home Healthy Home products and why?

My favorite Home Healthy Home products are 3. The first is the olive oil hand washing tablet . I love it because it is the most natural and the simplest. And it also reminds me of my childhood.
Then there is this stain remover that is magical and really is the Castile soap of a lifetime. It works great for me, because I have a child.
Then I really like Nº14 soap to wash sports clothes.
It is a soap that I love because it really takes great care of my technical clothing that has a lot of elastic fabric. I love its citrus smell and texture.

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

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

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

To sign up for the workshop for women over 40 and a healthy menopause , you can directly access the form on my Instagram profile @maria_giner_ . At the end there is a URL with the direct link . Also in my stories I usually put it and you have a video posted above in the first row of my wall that tells you how to do it .

Before we say goodbye, is there any advice or inspiring message that you would 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 the affection for yourself , with the love you have for yourself, you deserve that care. So start organizing to see how you can do it. There are many ways to do it. It's not complicated, it's just getting to work . And if you need help, we can have a consultation and I'll help you get on the right path, at least at first.

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