With this in mind, staff and students from the School of Accounting Sciences on the campus in Vanderbijlpark are Breathing, Energising, Aligning and Moving (BEAM) in an effort to reach mind-body balance.

 

According to Alinka Mostert, a senior lecturer in financial accounting, the Pilates sessions are specifically for honours students doing the Financial Accounting (SAIPA) and Certificate in Theory of Accounting (CTA) programmes.

 

Release tension

 

“During their honours studies, the students experience high stress levels because of the increased workload and the professional assessment cycle,” says Alinka.

 

She explains that Pilates can be incredibly powerful in helping the body to relax, rejuvenate and release tension. It also has a strong mind-body connection and as such not only focuses on physical movement but also on breathing and concentration techniques.

 

Joining Alinka in presenting the sessions are fellow School of Accounting Sciences colleagues – and Pilates enthusiasts – Lerike Jacobs and Estie Lubbe.

 

The trio say that the Pilates routines emphasise proper breathing, correct spinal and pelvic alignment, and smooth, flowing movements, and are the first step in getting participants fit and mentally focused.

 

Quality counts

 

Alinka explains that in Pilates the quality of movement is valued over the number of repetitions and as such the early morning sessions (of about 45 minutes) leave participants feeling refreshed and not exhausted as would be the case with many fitness boot camps.

 

Ultimately, Alinka, Lerike and Estie want to motivate the students to join in a fitness and conditioning programme that will see the Pilates sessions alternating with jogging sessions of 5 km and 10 km.

 

Once the students (and participating staff) can run the distance with ease, the plan is to enter a team in the annual Old Mutual Soweto Marathon that will take place in November.