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In Astrology, the positions and movements of the cosmos and planets hold so much sway in our characters and how we connect with the world. Our individual astrological signs even offer insight into our ideal exercises! To help establish a strong foundation for the new year ahead, Pilates Instructor Celeste will teach a virtual monthly, year-long workshop combining Astrology and Pilates. In Cosmic Pilates, Celeste explores connecting the movement of Pilates with the movement of the sun, moon, and stars. In each workshop, Celeste will cover a set of “power” Pilates moves and how they relate to each zodiac sign that month. You can find a deeper look into each Astrological sign’s personality traits and exercise style in this monthly blog series, and then put those insights into practice in Celeste’s workshops – this month is all about Cancer.
CANCER
June 20 – July 22
Symbol: The Crab
Body Association: Chest, rib cage, stomach, Solar Plexus chakra
4th House: Caring, sensitive, nurturing, practical, tenacious. Rules relationships with maternal figures, and domestic life. Ruled by the Moon, symbolizing emotional intelligence.
To strengthen the body parts associated with this sign, the following Pilates exercised are practiced:
Crab: This fun, yet challenging Pilates move is aptly named for your astrological symbol.
Double Leg Stretch: Your Power move! Focus on strengthening your stomach, with ribs lifted.
Control Back: By beaming your Solar Plexus Chakra toward the sky, you tune into your center.
Cancer Motto
“I can use my innate feelings to connect with others and organize a path forward.”
Food for Thought
Cancer is ruled by the moon, which is constantly changing. This constant shift can dictate your mood, sometimes leading to temporary blue periods based on blue cycles. You are the crabs playing the surf, dancing sideways on the glistening sand at water’s edge to the ebb and flow of the waves. In order to keep in rhythm to the tide, you are sensitive to the subtleties in your environment, and thus, easily affected by your environment. Processing this constant intake of “feels” requires time and thought. Allow yourself the space to do that so you don’t become engulfed in an emotional flood. It’s essential that you arrange a safe haven that supports you going into your shell for a bit. Take some time away from the duty of care-taking and grasp that by pleasing yourself, you please others. Learn to observe your feelings objectively and think them through. Otherwise, you might get caught in waves of highs and lows.
Physical You | Cancer Movement Personality
Cancer rules the chest and stomach and nurtures by feeding and providing sustenance. Wholesome foods and regular meals are important to you. You’re a true foodie with a stocked fridge and a joy for creating meals. You also tend to be conscious of balancing all that sustenance with a good workout routine while gleaning its mood-elevating benefits.
You rule the past, which tends to reside in the stomach area, so core training combined with high-energy cardio is essential to help you release stored emotions and keep your mood above water. Pilates and Yoga are integral to a Cancer’s routine because they incorporate willpower, strength, stabilization, and focus – all areas close to your heart. Anything that creates a feeling of “skimming” over a surface, like rowing, SUP, riding, or running are great ways to clear your mind.
The Best Advice for Cancer Friends:
With all of us, life can challenge our best intentions, and Cancer is particularly susceptible to shirking off “investment in self” to giving that energy to others. It is important to take time each day to focus on self-care, so emotional investments in loved ones don’t come at a cost to your well-being.
Take new risks and test new waters. Learn to recognize when it’s time for the hermit crab to move into a larger, more accommodating shell. You are tender beneath that shell, but your perseverance can move mountains. As a nurturer, your house is your favorite playground, so home workouts make it personal for you. It’s good for you to have a little workout corner in your nest. Once you establish regular patterns, they take root for you. It’s that initial “establishing” part that might provide a challenge.
Watch a Demonstration of the Cancer Pilates Moves:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=di0KUhu32D8&feature=youtu.be
Personal You | Going Deeper
Cancer is the first water sign of the Zodiac, a Cardinal sign and initiator. Cancer often assumes the matriarch role in the family, whether identifying as male or female. Caring Cancer is usually the one holding it all together for the family and friends. You call the shots, organize, keep folks in line, and dispense the rules from a heartfelt place.
My grandmother June completely embodied the Cancerian archetype in every way. She took me shopping for back-to-school clothes every year, helped me set up my first bank account, and set up my first pin number. I will never forget how Gramma wanted me to succeed in the world, in business, in money management, in personal happiness.
When I was a child, I didn’t really comprehend Gramma’s personality. She struck my little brain as “distant”, especially in comparison to my other grandmother who was open and vocal. Gramma’s crab shell-like armor protected her from the emotional turmoil around her, shielding her true feelings. It wasn’t until I was older and would “get it”, that she opened up to me.
Life in a Soup Bowl
Cancer’s 4th house rests at the base of the Zodiac, creating a co-foundation with Leo that supports all other signs. This contributes to your destiny to nurture others. Cancer, your gift is a compassionate nature that supports others with equity and understanding. Your greatest desire is to contribute to the well-being, progress, and development of your loved ones. You seem to be born mature beyond your years, and your absorption of emotional impressions, like “psychic experiences” can put you in a tailspin. You develop a stronger sense of self as you age, though. Some people live in a fishbowl, while you live in a soup bowl of feelings. Approach things sideways, with caution, and test the waters to determine when it’s time to retreat to your inner shell and regenerate.
Since you naturally have trouble setting emotional boundaries, it’s important to experience how to give and nurture, while understanding emotional processes; how to balance respect for family and tradition with the need to change with the times; how to be empathetic without upsetting your sensitive stomach. You may tend to bottle things up and withdraw into your shell, but suffering in silence can lead to ill-health. The key is to live a life of your own- learn to let go.
Sentimental You
Cancers are sentimental, loving antiques and objects of nostalgia. You seem to have a desire to surround yourself with keepsakes reminiscent of the past, and long friendships.
You use speech to connect with others and generally relate present happenings to something you’ve known in the past. Gifted with good business sense, you’re shrewd at spotting potential. You can make connections through ideas and concepts, and find the personal meaning in them. This makes you an ideal marketer, creating a sense of authenticity and connection. You are naturally magnetic, and your success potential continues throughout life, attracting whatever you need to sustain.
Don’t miss Celeste’s virtual Cancer-centered Cosmic Pilates workshop! Register for an out-of-this-world live-stream workout on June 7 at this link!
