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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! Pilates Instructor Celeste offers a deeper look into each Astrological sign’s personality traits and exercise style in this monthly blog series – this month is all about Leo.
LEO
July 23 – August 22
Symbol: The Lion
Body Association: Heart, heart chakra, upper back, spine, spleen, thymus
5th House: Creative, dramatic, proud, charismatic, strong, organized, romantic. Rules creation of art and culture, as well as offspring.
To strengthen the body parts associated with this sign, the following Pilates exercised are practiced:
Hunting Cat: This symbol move is helpful for back pain; increasing mobility while opening the heart.
The Star: Your Power move! Challenging and strengthening, this move commands attention.
Can-Can: An homage to my French Can-Can dancer Leo friend, and an excellent move for creating thoracic stability while opening the heart to feel the warmth of the sun.
Leo Motto
“I express my inborn strength with creativity, fun, dedication, and love.”
Food for Thought
Enigmatic and eccentric, Leo exudes confidence expressed with integrity. One might guess that the body part ruled by your vibrant sign is the mane (hair), but it’s actually the heart. Leos are heart people, born with the ability to express feelings from a secure foundation of being loved by all. Just as the heart rests in the center of the chest, Leo enjoys being the center of attention. Your ruling planet is the Sun, the brightest star that emanates warmth all while commanding: “All eyes on me!” The Sun is fixed fire, bestowing upon you the perseverance and life-long pursuit of being a steady and focused creative force. Your extravagant personality radiates the high standards necessary to create a magnificent environment. You can turn negative situations around just by your will, but the energy it takes is enormous and can take a toll on the physical heart. Take care not to let your excessive optimism be the stent in your heart.
Physical You | Leo Movement Personality
The strong, proud lion is your symbol, and you provide a good example for others. At your core is longing for a “pride”, so you adore having a group of kin around you. You naturally step into a leadership role, showing us all how things are done and how to live life to the fullest. Leos love working in a crowd, so your best exercise regimen involves group activities. Contact sports like football, soccer, or basketball are right up your alley, and if you want one-on-one time with a partner, try boxing or martial arts. You like heart-pumping exercise, so good options include aerobics or high-energy dance. Looking to sculpt a lean and strong body? Seek out power yoga or cardio Pilates class.
The Best Advice for Leo Friends:
A dear friend recently quizzed me, “What’s the most important muscle we must strengthen?” Without missing a beat, I answered, “The heart”. Leo, you live life from the heart, and you don’t miss a beat. Inherent in your sign is the essence of life itself. You’re a fixed sign, concerned with dependability, determination, and stability, sticking it out to reach a goal. You are emotionally connected to your image, and how others see you can greatly affect your confidence. Leo is the sign of the glory, power, and strength of individual expression. Leo’s fire imbues action, verve, and creativity, with a big focus on fun. Leo, you enjoy play for enrichment and pleasure, and this spirited outlook positively enthuses those around you.
Leo, you’re the one who’s already researched every detail of the latest and greatest workout trend, the one who’s memorized the routines before stepping into the class. Try outdoor events like beach volleyball or tennis to get out into the Sun, your ruling planet. A change of scenery will help keep you energized, and you’ll enjoy soaking up the rays. If you look at fitness as one of your many hobbies, and track your progress, you’ll constantly be reminded of the great strides you’re making. This will further your pride, and the continual success will ensure you stay motivated enough to keep going.
Watch a Demonstration of the Leo Pilates Moves:
https://youtu.be/sRoUdUIfUlo
Personal You | Going Deeper
The Leo Sun represents the King to the Cancer Queen/Moon of the “family-supporting” signs. Where Cancer thinks of the family as a unit, Leo brings independence into play. You nurture your loved ones’ individual self-expression and growth. The Leo heart is warm, generous, and tends towards romance. You embrace the power of Love from an elevated place, unaffected by worldly events. Lions are like big kids who joke and play around. The eternal children of the zodiac, you’re straightforward and frank, coming from the heart rather than the brain. Leos will give their life for those whom they love. When your emotional heart has been broken, your physical heart is in jeopardy.
As the creative organizers of the zodiac, Leos easily recognize a solution to a problem and organize a way to solve it. Your self-worth grows by giving others what you think they need. Thus it doesn’t surprise me that Leos make up many of my fellow trainers and instructors, whom I’ve watched inspire countless folks to achieve their fitness goals.
If I – If I – Were King
As a Leo, you learn about yourself through creative expression, and the necessity of exposing your abilities makes you vulnerable. Armed with the best ideas, your ability to create is limitless, whether it’s a schedule, political campaign, or party. You are tireless in your efforts to entertain people – you love parties and make the best host. Whether hosting or attending, it’s a party when Leo arrives! With your flair for the dramatic, all the world’s your stage. However, don’t let the audience’s feedback become too important to you. Actors sometimes disguise more insecurity than others see – when gestures aren’t acknowledged sufficiently, your Leo pride could be hurt.
Gifted with noblesse oblige, Leos are born leaders who resist any kind of servitude. You are free to be what you want, while coming from a generous and honorable place. Leo has a great “deserve” level. You don’t want to be connected with anyone or anything not up to your high personal standards, and you feel most comfortable delegating what has to be done rather than taking care of the routine details. When you learn how to accept help and delegate authority, you show the world how to live a good life.
Though My Tail Would Lash, I Would Show Compash
One of the cornerstones Leos must learn about is courage. Like Dorothy’s Lion in the Wizard of Oz, overcoming fear is an important lesson for you, whether the courage lies in facing an external foe or a feat pursued from within. You hold your ground in a power struggle, quickly changing from house cat to lion to protect your pride. Leo has staying power and isn’t likely to give up space, mostly because you don’t want anyone else to have what you’ve claimed as yours. While all signs are divinely worthy of success, Leo is born knowing and capitalizing on it.
Be sure to vet your audience, Leo. Though compliments seem to get anyone anywhere with you, shine your light on their sincerity and be discerning in who you give your heart to. On the flip side, don’t let arrogance see you pass over those who could be great supporters. It’s important that you remember you also need help and protection. Don’t let pride keep you from asking. Learn how to balance being devoted to those you care about with you meeting your own needs. Let loved ones bring you gifts for a change. Embrace the power in simply being at peace with your extraordinary qualities and trust in their worthiness to all that is good. When success comes from your soul power of love, it can’t be corrupted.
Celeste discovered Pilates at an early age while studying dance in LA. She has a life-long passion for movement and has transferred that love to helping others move well. Celeste is comprehensively certified in Pilates, GYROTONIC, and TRX. She has helped clients of all ages and abilities to move better since 2011.
Learn more about Celeste, see her class schedule, or connect about private training here!
