"Farting is a form of self care"

"Farting Is a Form of Self-Care".

Hear Me Out…

Last week I saw. a post on instagram that made me cry with laughter. It was a horse, in its stable, letting out the most fabulous amount of wind.

It was glorious. ( Apologies ot anyone who is senstive to this material!)

I felt moved to message the person who had posted the video and their response was classic.

Farting is a form of "self care'

That resonated with so much, that I feel the need to share it with you.

Why do I feel the need to share this with you?

Because recently, I was teaching a client who seemed reluctant to do a particular exercise. And as always, I fully respect every client’s decision when it comes to their own body.

But in this case, I had a strong suspicion: it wasn’t discomfort or injury that was holding her back — it was the potential ''f" risk.

Let’s face it, some Pilates moves make breaking wind… well, almost inevitable.

We’ve all had that one client who lets one rip in Rolling Like a Ball and then looks around, utterly bewildered, as if the noise came from someone else. (And maybe, just maybe, some of us are that client. Not naming names… 👀)

BC (Before Children), I used to teach a class of quiet, reserved women. One evening I walked in to find them all laughing uncontrollably. They’d made a pact: if one of them farted, they’d all just laugh.

They had barely unrolled their mats before it began.

Ten minutes later — it happened again.

And after that? Total free-for-all. I had to open the windows and politely request they exercise some restraint.

So what’s the point of this story (other than indulging my deeply childish sense of humour)?

It’s this:

I’m a Pilates teacher. I’m a parent. I’m a human. I get it.

For some, bodily noises are hilarious. For others, they're mortifying.

But here’s the truth: it’s just your body doing what it needs to do.

Movement is supposed to release tension — sometimes, that includes trapped air.

Pilates teachers: It's our job to ensure that our clients feel that they are not alone if this happens, they are not being judged and we understand.

Pilates clients:  If you are going to class and it happens, please know: you’re not alone, you’re not being judged, and if nothing else… you're among friends who’ll probably just giggle with you. Own that moment, rock it, style it out, we're there for you.

Now… who wants a “Farting is Self-Care” T-shirt?