When I rush around the corridors of the METRO dodging the other people and rushing to what might be my train it reminds me of so many rats in a laboratory experiment about behaviour when stressed, rushed and doing repetitive tasks.The findings of such experiments have usually been unsurprisingly nasty. So how do Parisians stay normal?

Well first of all Paris is one of the most beautiful cities in the world and nobody appreciates their city like a Parisian.  They stop and stare almost as much as a tourist or “blow in” like me, and also, and this is the punch line, they love exercise. 

No wonder the French retain their trim figures for most of their lives.  Every spare space has some sort of amenity for “le stretching”.  This amenity can take the form of various barres, barrels or type of climbing frame to swing from. There are also spaces for setting up games such as “boulles” a time honoured game dating back to the prime activity in any French village, alongside the more modern activity of  roller blading (with or without hockey sticks) skate boarding or football.  There are table tennis facilities set out with a special noiseless ball and very fixed table with bats attached.  When taking the “autoroute” to places outside Paris the frequent lay-bys and restaurants “aire” in French nearly always have an exercise space for both children and adults. How sensible is that? To be able to “stretch” mid-journey just makes sense. 

Whilst doing a Sunday stroll all this activity was going on around me and on approaching the Louvre Palace/Museum even the statues were in gymnastic style poses.  In fact they reminded me of the positions I try to get into during my Pilates class. Yes I have become almost French, actively at least, and hope to be a bi-lingual Pilates Teacher very soon.  Together with the long walks that are easily done in Paris, stopping and staring of course, a healthy life in a city is very easily achieved.

Anne Campbell Crawford has been living in Paris for nearly three years. After a lifetime in the Ballet World she recently added Pilates teaching to her CV and gives freelance Pilates classes in several locations in Paris. She also remains a ballet teacher, coaching and working internationally. Before moving to Paris she lived in Dublin, Ireland, where she founded IRISH NATIONAL YOUTH BALLET jointly with the Dance Department of University Heidelburg and was Artistic Director for 11 years.

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