Nourishing Time Podcast with Salema Veliu - Mindful Prompts & Practices for Zen Living in a Tech World (private feed for salemayoga@icloud.com)

About Nourishing Time Podcast with Salema Veliu - Mindful Prompts & Practices for Zen Living in a Tech World (private feed for salemayoga@icloud.com)

Exploring movement, well-being and Joseph Pilates' original philosophy for modern life. Monthly reflections on the everyday practice of living an embodied life. salemaveliu.substack.com (https://salemaveliu.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast)

Publisher

LIVING AN EMBODIED LIFE

Category

health & fitness · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

26 Apr 2024

Latest episode

26 Jul 2026

Latest episodes

65 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   26 Jul 2026

   Living an Embodied Life

   Monthly Reflection July Learning • Practice • Presence Welcome. If you’ve found your way here, I’m so pleased you’re here. Living an Embodied Life has grown from a simple belief: that movement is about far more than exercise. It’s about the way we inhabit ourselves, the way we breathe, the way we pay attention, and the way we move through the world. Over the years, I’ve come to realise that the studio is simply one expression of this philosophy. The conversations we have there continue long after we step away from the Reformer or the Tower. They shape how we meet ourselves, how we respond to challenge, how we cultivate health, and how we choose to live each day. This is a space for those reflections. Each month I’ll share what I’m learning through the classical Pilates repertoire, my teaching, and the quieter lessons that emerge through practice and everyday life. For more than twenty years, movement has been my profession. But over time, I've realised my work has never really been about teaching exercises. But the longer I’ve taught, the more I’ve realised that people rarely come to Pilates simply to learn an exercise. They come because they’re searching for something deeper. To feel stronger. To move with more ease. To reconnect with themselves. Become more accepting and confident of themselves. To breathe more freely. To find a little more space in lives that often ask us to keep doing more. Joseph Pilates understood this long before wellbeing became a modern conversation. His vision of a healthy life extended far beyond the studio. It embraced fresh air, rest, meaningful movement, nourishing food, curiosity and a balanced mind. That philosophy continues to inspire me today. Living an Embodied Life is my way of exploring those ideas—not as rules to follow, but as conversations worth returning to, month after month. This first reflection begins where I find myself today. July has reminded me that progress isn’t always found in learning something new. Sometimes it comes from returning to the fundamentals with greater attention. This month has been full of learning. I’ve been continuing my Tower training, deepened my preparation for the Wunda Chair Training (starting in a few weeks), exploring new projects and have spent time teaching wonderful clients, and found myself returning again and again to Joseph Pilates’ original philosophy. The more I study Contrology, the more I realise that the exercises themselves are only part of the practice. What continues to inspire me is the quality behind the movement. The patience to repeat. The discipline to refine. The willingness to notice the smallest details. I’ve also been reminded that community is one of our greatest teachers. Every class, every conversation and every shared practice offers another opportunity to learn—not only about movement, but about ourselves. Perhaps that’s what living an embodied life really means. Not striving for perfection. Not collecting more exercises. But becoming more present in the ones we already know. As I move into August, I’m taking this reminder with me. To practise with curiosity. To teach with generosity. To continue learning. And to remember that the most meaningful progress often happens quietly, one thoughtful repetition at a time. Thank you for being here. I look forward to sharing this journey with you. Until next month, Salema Living an Embodied Life is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Thanks for reading Living an Embodied Life! This post is public so feel free to share it. Thank you for subscribing. Leave a comment (https://salemaveliu.substack.com/p/living-an-embodied-life/comments?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_5) or share this episode (https://salemaveliu.substack.com/p/living-an-embodied-life?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=share&action=share&token=eyJ1c2VyX2lkIjoyMTYzMjU1MSwicG9zdF9pZCI6MjA4MzQxMjQ4LCJpYXQiOjE3ODU0NDIzOTUsImV4cCI6MTc4ODAzNDM5NSwiaXNzIjoicHViLTIyNDM3NjgiLCJzdWIiOiJwb3N0LXJlYWN0aW9uIn0.HRwZhcAsp7Es3Ew1xXP21OthxB2Q3s4S1tcew297fgI&utm_campaign=CTA_5).

2. 

   5 Jul 2026

   What if we don't need more exercise... but better attention?

   “Everyone is the architect of his own happiness “ - Joseph Pilates Photos Courtesy of Es Raco D’Arta and Ana Lui Photography A heartfelt thank you to everyone who read, listened to and shared my last reflections, The Space We Rarely Give Ourselves. Your messages and the response to the podcast—now reaching over 8,500 downloads—have been incredibly encouraging. This article continues that conversation. A few weeks ago, I shared some reflections on Joseph Pilates’ lifestyle principles and what they might teach us in a world that rarely slows down. I wrote about the space we seldom allow ourselves. The constant pull of distraction. The feeling that, despite all our efforts to become healthier and more productive, many of us are left feeling increasingly disconnected from ourselves. The response was overwhelming. It reminded me that perhaps what so many of us are searching for isn’t another exercise programme, another wellness trend or another way to optimise our lives. Perhaps we’re searching for something much simpler. Our attention. “This is where these ideas come to life.” Video & Photo Courtesy of Es Raco D’Arta There is no shortage of advice telling us how to become healthier. Walk 10,000 steps.Lift heavier weights.Run further.Meditate.Journal.Cold plunge.Stretch.Eat this.Avoid that. Every day we’re presented with another list promising to optimise our lives. Yet for all the information available to us, many of us have never felt so disconnected from our own bodies. Our attention is constantly being pulled elsewhere. Notifications interrupt conversations. Meals are eaten whilst scrolling. Work follows us home. Exercise becomes another task to complete before moving on to the next thing. We’re forever doing, but rarely being. When I return to Joseph Pilates’ writings, I’m always struck by how relevant they feel today. Although he never experienced smartphones or social media, he understood something fundamental about human nature: our greatest challenge is often not physical ability, but our ability to pay attention. Contrology was never designed as a collection of exercises. It was designed as a practice of awareness. Every movement asks us to notice. How are we breathing? Where are we holding unnecessary tension? Can we create effort without strain? Can we move with intention rather than habit? These questions are as relevant today as they were when Joseph first developed his method. In many ways, Pilates becomes less about movement itself and more about reclaiming our attention. The Cost of Constant Distraction Attention has become one of our most valuable resources. Every app, every advertisement and every notification competes for it. Without realising it, we begin to live externally, constantly responding to what demands our focus rather than consciously choosing where to place it. Joseph Pilates invited us to do the opposite. When practising the method, there is nowhere else to be. You cannot perform a classical Reformer sequence whilst mentally writing tomorrow’s shopping list. The work gently calls you back. Again. And again. Your breath becomes your anchor. Your movement becomes your conversation. Your body becomes your teacher. This, perhaps, is one of the greatest gifts of the Pilates method. Not simply stronger muscles, but a quieter mind. The Exercise Isn’t the Goal One of the greatest misconceptions about Pilates is that success lies in mastering increasingly difficult exercises. But anyone who has studied the method for any length of time knows the opposite is true. The more experience you gain, the more you return to the fundamentals. Footwork. The Hundred. Roll Up. Leg Circles. Exercises many people dismiss as “basic” become endless opportunities for refinement. Because attention changes everything. The movement may stay the same. You don’t. Each repetition offers another opportunity to notice something you missed before. A little more length. A little less effort. A quieter shoulder. A softer jaw. A more complete exhale. The exercise hasn’t changed. Your awareness has. Perhaps this is why Joseph Pilates famously said: “Change happens through movement, and movement heals.” I often wonder whether the healing he referred to wasn’t solely physical. Perhaps he was also speaking about what happens when we become fully present. Beyond the Studio, Mat & Apparatus The longer I teach, the more I’ve become to realise that Yoga & Pilates as well as other methods of movement doesn’t end when we leave the studio/gym. Its principles begin to shape how we live. We notice our posture whilst standing in a queue. We breathe differently during stressful conversations. We become aware of unnecessary tension whilst driving. We choose to walk rather than rush. Contrology therefore gradually becomes less about exercise and more about paying attention to life itself. And perhaps this is what Joseph Pilates was really offering. Not simply a stronger body. But a more conscious way of living. Why This Matters More Than Ever In a culture that celebrates speed, productivity and constant stimulation, choosing to slow down can feel almost rebellious. Yet slowing down isn’t about doing less. It’s about noticing more. Real strength isn’t found in how quickly we move. It’s found in how deeply we connect with what we’re doing. That, to me, is the enduring wisdom of Joseph Pilates. His method reminds us that our attention is not something to give away carelessly. It is something to cultivate. His method reminds us that our attention is not something to give away carelessly. It is something to cultivate. This is where, for me, these ideas come to life. When I began creating and curating Embodied Contrology , I realised I wasn’t simply creating a retreat to teach the Reformer. I was trying to create the very thing I’ve been writing about. I was thinking about space. Space to breathe. Space to learn. Space to return to the original principles of the method without distraction. A place to slow down. A place to pay attention. Not because we need more movement. But because we need to pay better attention to the movement we already have. Perhaps that is where real transformation begins. To find a place where Joseph Pilates’ original philosophy could be experienced, not just discussed. Set within the peaceful surroundings of Es Racó d’Artà in Mallorca, the retreat has been designed to bring together focused practice, thoughtful conversation and meaningful rest. Not as an escape from everyday life, but as an opportunity to return with a deeper understanding of both the Pilates method and ourselves. If these reflections resonate with you and you’d like to experience them in practice, I’d be delighted to welcome you to Embody these teachings not just practice the physical. → Learn more about the retreat here: (https://bookretreats.com/r/4-day-embodied-contrology-reformer-retreat-in-mallorca-spain) Final reflection “Where in your life could you replace more with deeper attention?” Do you think we’re searching for more exercise, or are we really searching for something much deeper? Share your reflections in the comments—I read every one. Until next time, move with intention. Salema Thank you for subscribing. Leave a comment (https://salemaveliu.substack.com/p/we-dont-need-more-exercise-we-need/comments?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_5) or share this episode (https://salemaveliu.substack.com/p/we-dont-need-more-exercise-we-need?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=share&action=share&token=eyJ1c2VyX2lkIjoyMTYzMjU1MSwicG9zdF9pZCI6MjA0NjM3NzM1LCJpYXQiOjE3ODM0Nzc4MDksImV4cCI6MTc4NjA2OTgwOSwiaXNzIjoicHViLTIyNDM3NjgiLCJzdWIiOiJwb3N0LXJlYWN0aW9uIn0.-sBcseg8tP72H01i_UWP3FrR0G1nH3Li8OxCOssJ1cY&utm_campaign=CTA_5).

3. 

   13 Jun 2026

   The Space We Rarely Give Ourselves

   During my most recent travels to Palma, and a stay in a wonderful, calming luxury eco resort, I began to reflect on why we find it so hard to give ourselves permission to find and create space in our lives. This reflection has stayed with me since returning, and in many ways has become the foundation for a much deeper inquiry into how we live, move, and recover. It is also part of the reason I felt so called to create my retreat experiences — as an opportunity for women to step out of the constant rhythm of doing, and into something more spacious, restorative, and intentional. So why do so many of us find it so hard to give ourselves permission to find and create space in our lives. The much needed space that our nervous systems crave to find balance. Not just the physical space, but the space to: Pause Rest Breathe Listen. The space between responsibilities, expectations, and the constant pressure to keep doing. This idea is not new. In Joseph Pilates’ writing — particularly in The Lion in the Cage — there is a recurring theme that speaks to the ways in which modern life can confine, restrict, and disconnect us from our natural vitality when we lose touch with the body, the breath, and conscious living. In many ways, he was already asking the same question we are still grappling with today: What happens when we become disconnected from ourselves? As I prepare to give a presentation on the history of Pilates, and find myself dropping snippets of this fascinating lineage into my classes, I continue to be amazed by how many people — and even many teachers — are unaware that Joseph Pilates was perhaps one of the original lifestyle coaches. Long before wellness became an industry, Joseph understood that health was never just about exercise. As someone who has had to make quite a few major life changes in the past due to burnout in my thirties, and as a coach myself, this feels particularly relevant. The lifestyle choices we make matter just as much as the supplements we take or the exercise we choose. Most people know Joseph Pilates for the Reformer, the Mat work, or the apparatus that bears his name. Yet Contrology was never simply a system of exercises. It was a philosophy for living well. Joseph’s principles for health included things we rarely associate with fitness today: * Fresh air * Daily movement * Exposure to sunlight * Rest and sleep * Time spent outdoors * Efficient breathing * Good posture * Natural movement * Mental wellbeing * Moderation * Personal responsibility for health These ideas are not abstract. They show up in how we move, teach, and inhabit the body. When We Work Within the Method In the method, control is never separate from awareness — precision is not about perfection, but about attention. For those of us who work within the Pilates method — whether teaching or practising — these principles are not abstract ideas. They show up directly in the studio. In the way we move through the repertoire. In how we organise the breath. In how we approach effort versus control. In whether we are able to maintain precision without unnecessary tension. In classical Pilates, we are constantly returning to questions like: Am I moving with control, or simply moving? Am I using what I need, or overworking what is familiar? Can I maintain length, support, and organisation while under load? And perhaps most importantly — can I stay present within the movement, rather than rushing to the end of it? This is where the method and the philosophy meet. What strikes me is how relevant these ideas still feel. Long before we spoke about nervous system regulation, stress physiology, burnout, recovery, or wellbeing, Joseph Pilates understood something fundamental: Health is not built through exercise alone. It is created through the relationship between movement, rest, environment, mindset, and the way we live our everyday lives. Yet modern life often pulls us in the opposite direction. We celebrate productivity. We wear busyness as a badge of honour. We fill every available moment. So when we begin to feel depleted, our instinct is often to do more. Train harder. Work harder. Push harder. But what if the answer isn’t always found in doing more? What if it is found in releasing more to creating some space? Space to recover. Space to regulate. Space to reconnect with what the body is asking for. This is something I see repeatedly in my work with women navigating burnout, hormonal transitions, perimenopause, menopause, and conditions such as endometriosis. Often the body is not asking for more effort. It is asking for more support. More balance. More compassion. More listening. Perhaps this is what Joseph Pilates understood all along. That true strength is not simply physical. It is the ability to live in a way that supports vitality, resilience, and wellbeing and longevity over the long term. Maybe the space we rarely give ourselves is not a luxury after all. Perhaps it is one of the most important ingredients of health. Many classical Pilates schools also reference his original book which is still the primary source text practitioners refer to. * Return to Life Through Contrology (Joseph Pilates, 1945) * The Lion in the Cage: Joseph Pilates and his Legacy Which of Joseph Pilates’ lifestyle principles feels most missing in your life right now? For me, this question has been a continual thread through both my teaching and my own lived experience — especially following periods of burnout and major life change in my thirties. It is also what has shaped the spaces I now feel called to create for others. My upcoming retreat in Mallorca is one of the spaces where this philosophy becomes lived experience. The environment shapes the nervous system more than we realise. Not as an escape from life, but as an opportunity to step away from the noise long enough to reconnect with it more honestly. This connects everything back to Pilates philosophy + embodiment. A place where movement, rest, and reflection are given equal value. Where the principles of Contrology are not just explored in the studio, but lived in a wider sense — through how we rest, breathe, and allow ourselves to simply be. Because perhaps this is what Joseph Pilates understood all along: That health is not something we chase. It is something we return to, when we create enough space to hear ourselves again. For full details and the brochure, DM me “PALMA” or view it here: PALMA PILATES (https://linktr.ee/salemaveliu) Thank you for being here, reading, listening and sharing my work. I hope you may benefit in some way from the insights and practices provided to help you navigate your personal and life’s ever changing landscape. Salemas Slow Edits is inspired by slow living on the water, my love 4 movement all with a touch of Aussie ease. Expect journalling prompts and movement and meditation practices to help you find your laid back vibe. Providing various insights from science, nature, zen & various philosophies to help heal and inspire longevity along the way. SALEMA'S / SLOW EDITS is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Thank you for subscribing. Leave a comment (https://salemaveliu.substack.com/p/the-space-we-rarely-give-ourselves/comments?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_5) or share this episode (https://salemaveliu.substack.com/p/the-space-we-rarely-give-ourselves?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=share&action=share&token=eyJ1c2VyX2lkIjoyMTYzMjU1MSwicG9zdF9pZCI6MjAxNzU2NDgzLCJpYXQiOjE3ODE2NTk1MzgsImV4cCI6MTc4NDI1MTUzOCwiaXNzIjoicHViLTIyNDM3NjgiLCJzdWIiOiJwb3N0LXJlYWN0aW9uIn0.kW9fYP5n1EU6BXenrCZilgA8p6E7JO8KAHMs9t4MQVE&utm_campaign=CTA_5).

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