Great Expectations: Realigning with Pilates, Breath, and Your Ikigai
- Anchor Pilates, LLC
- May 19
- 3 min read
Pilates, Breath, and the Weight of Expectations
As you can see from the photo above, we recently celebrated my son’s graduation from Georgia Southern University. It was a moment full of pride—and yes, great expectations. That phrase got me thinking… about the expectations we quietly place on ourselves. On our lives. And most of all, on our bodies.
Have you ever stopped to think about what actually goes into walking? Breath regulation, heartbeat control, blood pressure changes, core engagement, coordination between muscle groups, visual processing, the vestibular system, sensory feedback from the feet, even arm swing for balance—it’s an entire symphony your body conducts without you ever thinking about it.
Until something hurts. Until menopause hits. Until inflammation or injury makes what was once automatic feel like a struggle. Then we notice.
Resetting Expectations with Breath, Movement, and Ikigai
Iki-what? Read on to find out more!
When we’re in pain, stressed, or stuck, breathwork becomes one of my most important tools. Try this simple pattern: inhale for 4 counts, hold for a beat, then exhale for 6 to 8. It’s more than calming—it activates your parasympathetic nervous system, helping shift your body from tension to recovery.
We often expect our bodies to perform as they always have, but midlife brings new realities. That’s where the Japanese concept of ikigai comes in—your “reason for being.” It’s the intersection of what you love, what you’re good at, what the world needs, and what sustains you.
Your ikigai evolves over time—and so should your movement practice. When we stop comparing ourselves to the past and instead focus on mobility, breath, stress reduction, and strengthening movements that meet us where we are, everything changes.
That’s the heart behind my 10-Day Pilates Primer. It’s not just a movement series—it’s a mindset shift. A way to rewrite the expectations you hold and gently reintroduce your body to what’s possible now.
Retreat Announcement – Anchor to Embodiment
Speaking of powerful shifts—I’m thrilled to announce my upcoming retreat, co-hosted with Leslie Clayton of Body Awareness Studio:
Anchor to Embodiment
May 15–17, 2026 | Elohee Retreat Center, North Georgia Mountains
This immersive 3-day retreat will offer:
• Breathwork and nervous system regulation
• Pilates for strength, posture, and balance
• Fire ceremonies and deep connection with nature
• Workshops focused on resilience, vision, and aligned action
• Sunrise hikes, reflective journaling, and space to reset
Registration opens June 1st—mark your calendar now. Leslie and I would love for you to be part of this meaningful journey in the heart of nature.
Come See Me at the Alpharetta Farmers Market!
Save the date! I’ll be at the Alpharetta Farmers Market on June 7th from 8:30–12:30. Swing by my booth (right in front of Never Enough Thyme) to:
• Enter a raffle for a free Functional Movement Screen
• Snag day-of-only discounts
• Chat about how Pilates and breathwork can support strength and longevity in your life
Let’s connect in person—I’d love to see you!
Whenever we reach a big life shift—like my son’s graduation—there’s often an expectation for what comes next. The same is true for menopause. You’re not quite sure what to expect, and the transition is rarely linear. Whether you’re in it, approaching it, or well past it, the expectations we carry can weigh us down—or push us forward.
Sometimes, the pressure is rooted in fantasy: expecting to feel like we did in our 30s. Sometimes, we don’t aim high enough—held back by doubt, fear, or fatigue.
But here’s the thing: you don’t need a grand plan. You just need one breath. One aligned action. That tiny step can shift everything.
If you’re not sure what that step should be, try my Tournament of Priorities worksheet—a simple tool to help clarify what matters and what’s next.
• If you’re in my Facebook group, download it here: Anchor to Life Facebook Group
• Not on Facebook? Just reply to this email or message me here and I’ll send you the PDF.
“Ask no questions, and you’ll be told no lies.”
—Charles Dickens, Great Expectations
But the better choice? Ask the questions. Take the breath. And see what rises up in response.
Let’s pause, breathe, and thrive.
Yours in longevity, empowerment, and thriving,
Amanda Curd
Anchor Pilates, LLC
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