My Midlife Love Affair with Movement

Hello there! 👋 I’m Wendy Yang Clark – a City Islander, film and TV costume designer, mom, and yoga & Pilates enthusiast for over two decades.  I’ve spent the last few months diving into a whole new adventure – opening up The Pearl, a multi-modality movement studio right here on City Island.  Inspired by the tenacious demands of work, the joyful chaos of motherhood, and the stress it all puts on my mid-life body, my mission to create The Pearl stems from a deep desire to create a place where we can get our bodies moving, building strength to navigate the physical and mental challenges of daily life.  With the hustle-culture of life in NYC, making about 10,000 decisions a day at work, and spending every free moment chasing after two littles, I get how crucial it is to stay on top of one’s wellbeing.

Aah, the joys of hitting your fab forties – an age where your body's quirks start to remind you that it’s not quite the spry, invincible temple it once was. Like clockwork, I started waking up more tired than when I went to bed and found myself groaning a bit louder than usual when bending down to pick up my kids’ toys.

I turned forty two years ago while on one of the toughest jobs of my career.  (Shameless bit of self-promotion: Fallout premiers on April 12th on Amazon Prime and is gonna be FREAKING AWESOME.)  My commute to the stage where we shot in Brooklyn could sometimes stretch into the two-hour realm during rush hour, becoming a daily marathon. Amidst 12+ hour days, managing a team of over thirty, and wrangling costumes for a script that was both violent and comically challenging, I had never in my life been quite as mentally and physically pooped.  Not to mention the fact that instead of vegging in front of the tv with a glass of wine on the weekends, I had to be “on” for my family, especially since I didn’t get to see much of them during the week.

With the relentless pace of my life, I was DRAGGING.  I reached a pivotal realization about the profound importance of nurturing my body and mind. In my younger years, fueled by boundless energy, ambition, and a "work hard, play hard" ethos, I could power through almost anything. I laughed in the face of an 18-hour shooting day. Now, the demands of work, parenting, and the myriad responsibilities that accompany adulthood painted a different picture.  I was watching in slow motion as I transformed into this emoji: 🫠

As the responsibilities piled up like a mound of dirty laundry, I found that maintaining that relentless pace just wasn't sustainable anymore. Juggling the tasks of a demanding career and the dance of parenting tiny, adorable maniacs required a more thoughtful approach. It became abundantly clear that to fulfill my roles effectively, I needed to prioritize myself.  Enter Pilates.

I’d been practicing on and off for years - mostly off as of late as there’s nowhere terribly convenient to City Island that offers classes compatible with my work schedule. I found an awesome studio not too far from our soundstage. At first mostly a means to outsmart traffic, I would rise at five to reach Williamsburg for a seven o’clock class.  The Reformer and I were like old friends.  We quickly got reacquainted on those early mornings, providing me an hour of sanity before diving headfirst into the tumultuous world of television production.  I found my chill in the rhythmic movements of the Reformer, each stretch and pull a lifeline that prepared me for the day ahead.  It became a near-daily ritual that not only helped my physical endurance but nurtured a resilience that transcended the intense vibes of high-stakes #setlife.

(BTW, if you’re not familiar with a Reformer, picture this: it's like a bed, but with adjustable springs and pulleys. Your hands or feet slip into straps, and you push/pull against the resistance.  It’s a versatile piece of equipment designed to add resistance and support, helping you build strength, improve flexibility, and move with precision.  It's basically the second-best workout you can do lying down 😜)

We all need something like this.  Whether it’s navigating the chaos of parenting, steering through the challenges of an intense job, or shouldering the responsibilities of caring for aging parents, a common thread emerges – the need for dedicated time and space for oneself. It's a lesson that transcends age and background, a truth that underscores the importance of carving out time for personal wellbeing.

I believe that fitness isn’t a destination but a way of life. Moving your body makes you happy, creating community makes you happy, and the physical and mental benefits of movement are at the core of our philosophy at The Pearl. Whether it's the strengthening power of Pilates or the mindful practices of yoga or meditation, we’ll offer a holistic approach to well-being. Movement isn't just about physical exercise; it's a journey toward wellness, celebrating what our bodies can do and paving the way to a happier, healthier life.

I used to roll my eyes when people said, "40 is the new 30." Now I realize they were onto something – it's not about turning back the clock but navigating the age spectrum with a touch of humor, a lot of self-care, and some very good face cream. Getting older doesn't have to be synonymous with slowing down; it can be about learning to appreciate your body in all its seasoned glory, understanding its new quirks, and finding ways to keep it moving and grooving. The Pearl will be a haven for those of us who wake up each day with a newfound appreciation for a well-timed groan. It’s not about perfection; it's about progress. It's about showing up, being present, and moving forward – no judgments, no expectations, just a supportive community cheering you on. Because, let's face it, while getting older might bring its own set of challenges, it also gifts us the wisdom to embrace the joy of movement in every creak, pop, and stretch. 👵✨🤸‍♀️