Like we all know, specifically in France, this summer is a sporting one with the launching of Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The most important and sports event of the World, gathering on July 26th thousands of sportsmen and women, coaches, and supporters. So, we have thought, that communicate this sport spirit all along the summer, to the workers and holidaymakers will be such a pleasant idea.
Let’s start officially with this blog articles series : "Abyss Ingredients at the heart of sport" dedicated to sport practice of our athletes, but also our Abyss team… Stay tuned!
Portrait of the day: Julie Le Faouder
Julie Le Faouder est is our R&D project manager, PhD, at Abyss. Beyond her listening, her rigour and her kindness since 5 years, discover her from another side: sport and specifically Pilates.
Julie started Pilates 5 years ago and never get tired of. After she tried fitness, parachuting or diving, this is her enthusiasm for Pilates that came out on top. |  |
Today she handles her career as R&D project manager, PhD, and her regular practice of Pilates.
We are very proud to present a little part of her sport through this interview.
What values does sport pass on to you?
« In my opinion, Pilates has really taught me how to listen, particularly to myself, because it's a practice that's really centered on oneself. I'd also say it's about caring and sharing, which I think are essential values that many people develop through Pilates.
There's also an important idea of confidence, which I think goes hand in hand with the idea of relaxation: being more relaxed in my everyday life, a kind of letting go to release tension and perform better afterwards. And finally, I think it also gave me a great deal of concentration. »
What role does sport play in your daily life and what does it bring you?
“I do Pilates once a week at lunchtime, and as I said, it really relaxes you and makes you feel so much better afterwards. And for what it does for me, well, it's quite funny, because you really feel two states: between the relaxation but also all the muscle work. I think you really feel the benefits, both for your body and your mind.”
How do you reconcile work, personal life and physical activity?
« It’s true that it requires an enormous amount of planning. Personally, I try to make it a sort of professional appointment, and really set myself the goal of getting there. Because otherwise, let's be honest, there's always a good reason to procrastinate with work, family life... you get swamped very quickly.
What's more, I'm lucky enough to be doing this within a real structure, with a teacher who guides you every step of the way.
You have to discipline yourself, impose it on yourself and now it's part of my routine and it's essential for me to go, I look forward to it every week. »
How to deal with procrastination in sport?
« Personally, my course takes place directly at my place of work, so that helps a lot because it follows the pattern of my day, it's a fixed appointment in my timetable, so I go straight there, I don't procrastinate in the sense that I don't have to go anywhere else.
And to be honest, it's a class I'm really looking forward to; if I could do more, I would do more, it's really part of the time I spend looking after myself. I really see it as a pleasure and not a constraint. »
Which athlete inspires you across all disciplines?
« In the gym in my office there's a lot of training going on, including with top athletes. One I find particularly inspiring is Romane Cloteaux-Foucault, a badminton champion.
I find it really inspiring to be around her, because she has incredible courage and energy, as she manages her studies alongside her sport. She's even had health problems, which have never stopped her, and have only pushed her to excel even more. »
What are the main benefits of Pilates for your physical and mental health ?
« I feel much more toned and sheathed. You can really feel the work being done on the abdominal muscles and so automatically the back is relieved, and to be honest, I feel that if I stop, I'll be broken all over!
Then, I'd say there's also a whole lot of breathing work: being in your own bubble for 1 hour, you even do a bit of relaxation at the end of the session, it really marks a kind of 'brain break' and I'd even say a 'reset'. »
How many times a week would you recommend Pilates to see the benefits?
« So, I do 1 time a week, and I can really say that you feel the benefits. I wish I could do more, but I can already feel the effects of the sessions in terms of my postures, the way my body is sheathed, the pain in my back and even a general sense of calm. Once a week is enough to feel all that. »
Do you take food supplements as part of your sporting activities?
« I'm more and more convinced of these relay approaches. I like to test things out to see what suits me best and the Cartidyss® has had very good effects, I have to say. I do Cartidyss® cures from time to time for my skin, although it also works for my joints. I take it mainly in winter and I find that it goes a bit with Pilates and the idea of well-being. »
Do you practice Pilates on your own or in group classes? Why do you do it?
« I'm in a group class, and I like being guided by a teacher: she can correct us, she always varies the exercises from one session to the next, and the group is nice, so I'm really pleased. On top of that, I can't really motivate myself to do such an activity on my own, always knowing what to do, etc...
Especially when I'm on my own, I don't feel as relaxed because I must think about what to do, whereas with a teacher, I'm really guided. »
What are the basic elements needed to practice Pilates at home?
« It's a sport that has the advantage of not requiring a lot of equipment, so there's no need to get carried away: all you need is a mat and sometimes you can use a ball specific to the discipline to vary the exercises, it's flexible and light. But generally speaking, you can do quite a lot with just a mat. »
Thanks Julie for your sharing!
