The meaning of life? It’s basically a Pilates class

When a client recently (and cheekily) asked me to write about the meaning of life, I laughed and said I’d give it some thought…..

The more I thought about it, the more I realised: life is a lot like Pilates.

Here’s what I mean.

You start off thinking you know what you’re doing.

You lie on the mat, all full of hope and enthusiasm, and then… I say something like ‘brace the core’ or ‘find your natural spine position’ and suddenly it’s like trying to pat your head and rub your tummy at the same time. 

Much like life really. 

We go in thinking we’ve got the hang of it, then someone throws in ‘taxes’ or ‘peri-menopause’ and everything goes a bit off-centre.

It’s full of wobbles.

If you’ve ever tried a balancing on the foam roller, you’ll know what I’m talking about. 

In Pilates – and life – wobbles aren’t failures. 

They’re feedback. 

You’re not broken, you’re learning. 

The trick is to breathe through it, laugh if you can, and try again.

It’s about showing up, not showing off.

Instagram might want you to believe that everyone is doing back bends on cliffs in matching active wear. 

In reality, most of us are just trying to get through the day without our hip clicking like a rusty hinge. 

And that’s okay. 

Life isn’t about being picture perfect – it’s about being present. 

Even if that presence comes with a few grunts and eye-rolls.

There’s always an option.

Ah yes, my favourite saying – because whether it’s a tight hamstring, a long day, or a life curve ball, there is always a way forward. 

It might be slower, softer, or look completely different from what you expected, but that doesn’t make it any less valid. 

Life (and Pilates) isn’t about pushing through pain – it’s about listening in and adapting with kindness.

You don’t always see the progress — but it’s there.

You don’t wake up suddenly floating through V-sits with swan-like grace. 

It’s tiny shifts over time. 

The same goes for life.

You might not notice you’re getting stronger, wiser, or more resilient… until you look back and realise how far you’ve come.

So, what is the meaning of life?

Maybe it’s not something we find in a grand, earth-shattering moment.

Maybe it’s in the gentle stretch after a long day. 

In the laugh you share with someone on the mat next to you. 

In the way your body softens when you’re reminded that effort doesn’t have to mean strain.

Maybe the meaning of life is simply this:

Breathe. Move. Laugh. Adjust. Repeat.

And when in doubt… child’s pose is always there for you.

Sam ‘grateful to wake up to a new day’ Hobbs