It is officially the holiday season and this year I am
particularly aware of Christmas past.
It was exactly ten years ago when I finally admitted to a handful of friends
and family members that I was “struggling” with my relationship to alcohol.
More truthful words were unavailable to me at the time; words like sinking,
dying, miserable, soul-sick, paralyzed and unaccountable, not to mention
alcoholic... READ MORE
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Client Profile: "Pilates has
changed my life."-Myra Calder
Pendleton Pilates has changed my life ... most importantly
it's changed my mind. And as most of us know, the first step to making any
change in our lives starts with our brain. When I arrived at Pendleton Pilates,
I was overweight and out of shape to the point I felt I couldn't exercise.
Indeed, my first question to Stacy was "Can I do this?" And she said, "Yes, you
can."
That was the first step. A host of further steps have followed. And, with each
one, I've become more ""in shape."" Right off the bat my posture improved.
People I hadn't seen in a while kept asking if I'd lost weight; most guessed
10-15 pounds. Who knew posture was so vital your appearance? Next, after living
with back pain for years, I noticed my back almost never hurt anymore.
Obviously, when you strengthen the core muscles on the front of the body, the
muscles on the back of the body don't have to strain themselves so much. I
could keep going, but suffice it to say I've lost weight and lots of inches,
too. But, most importantly, Pilates has changed my mind about exercise. It's
not "punishment" for my bad habits. It's something I enjoy doing, actually look
forward to doing. The instructors are great, too, always encouraging and
supportive while being professional. Pilates is the best exercise for me. And
it is true: The best exercise for you is the one that you will do. Give it a
try, and you may find it's the best exercise for you, too.
Myra Calder
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Pilates for Pregnancy - A Client
Perspective
By Molly Kraus
I found out I was pregnant in April, 2003. I continued my regular routine of
two hour-long group Reformer classes a week as much as possible through the
first trimester, though occasionally the 24/7 "morning" sickness got the better
of me. I noticed a bit of a change in my overall strength, but I wanted to push
my way through this difficult period without pushing too hard because I knew
Pilates was still one of the best things I could do while pregnant.
I then found out through my various "mother-to-be" readings that there was a
hitch. It seems most doctors, mine included, don't recommend doing any
activities that require you to be flat on your back after the fourth month. It
seems the " weight of your enlarging uterus could compress major blood vessels,
restricting circulation." Needless to say I was concerned because the majority
of my Reformer-based Pilates work involved being flat on my back. I made an
appointment with Stacy Sims, Pendleton Pilates' studio owner, to determine if I
could modify the Reformer work in a group or if I would have to move to private
sessions.
Stacy created an ingenious solution for me so I don't have to miss out on my
workouts or change my schedule. I use the Balanced Body Padded Foot Plate and
rest it on the carriage of the Studio Reformer in such a way to create an
inclined plane to support my back at a slight angle. With the exception of a
series of exercises on the "Long Box" exercises where I would work on my
stomach and some supine spine articulation exercises, I am able to continue
with pretty much the entire group Reformer routine.
The only noticeable change in my workouts is related to my range of motion.
Because IÕm starting from an inclined position, I have less range of motion
during some exercises, in particular the foot-in-straps leg stretches. However,
as my joints are prone to loosen up during pregnancy, I am aware that I should
be limiting my range of motion anyway. Beyond that, the other differences are
related to the changes my body is going through. I am getting fatigued more
quickly so eight reps seems to be a good number for me now vs. ten. On some
exercises I use less resistance by using less springs.
I don't think it's an exaggeration to say every muscle in my body is effected
at some point by the pregnancy; whether it's my core adjusting to "Junior"
being right there or my hip flexors being tight from sleeping on my sides or
sitting at a desk all day. While IÕm not doing the exact same work I was
pre-pregnancy, while I may use less springs or do fewer reps, what I am able to
do is very helpful to me.
I have no doubt that maintaining my Pilates schedule will continue to benefit
me greatly during the rest of my pregnancy and likely into delivery. I know the
muscles I work to strengthen with Pilates are those that will be working the
hardest during delivery. Additionally, I'm sure the simple act of breathing
from my core as taught at Pendleton Pilates will be a skill on which I'll rely
heavily. And of course, I'm counting on my Pilates workouts to help me bounce
back to my "normal" (whatever that is!) body in a reasonable amount of time
post-delivery. Pregnant or not, some days are harder than others to get
motivated for a workout but the end result is always the same. After my Pilates
session I feel better physically and I'm always happy I did it.
Molly Kraus is a marketing executive in Cincinnati, Ohio. She has been a client
at Pendleton Pilates in Cincinnati, Ohio for a year. She is due to deliver her
first child in December.
Molly Kraus. Photo-Sarah Jane Bellamy
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Client Profile: Lori Beasley: "Not
one to like working out ..."
Not one to like working out or even the thought of it
actually, I was intrigued by reading about Pilates. I needed to work out and
after my second baby tried a personal trainer but it just wasn't right for me.
I tried a few DVDs and tapes but without someone there to motivate me and
having two small children at home it was far from successful. After much
thought, the formal class atmosphere was really what I needed to get the
results that I wanted and I started my quest to "look better naked"! What
better motivation that what was printed on the flyer? It was all I needed and
after my first two initial consultations, I knew that I was hooked.
For the past three months I have been thoroughly enjoying my Pilates
experience. It not only has produced amazing results but it is an hour that
helps to take the stress of the world away - at least three times a week and
the instructors are really wonderful and incredibly knowledgeable about Pilates
and the body. The results of my Pilates experience so far are truly amazing and
I have told everyone I know how wonderful it is and how great I feel. If the
gym and the idea of "feeling the burn" just isn't in you, then Pilates is worth
a try.
I say, "do Pilates and do it often!"
Lori Beasley
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Client Profile: Jane Hughes: "Back problems run in my
family."
It was suggested to me in March of 2005, that I should try
Pilates as a way to strengthen my core muscles. This was said to me by my
mother’s surgeon as he was checking on her before her back operation. Back
problems run in my family and I am overweight. Both of these things were
beginning to affect my lower back. I asked her surgeon what I should do to keep
myself from ending up in the same situation my mother was in. He said there
were no guarantees, but that I should lose weight, walk and strengthen my body
core.
Sounds simple enough, but it took me until December to do anything about it. I
knew it made sense, but I was embarrassed as to how out of shape I had allowed
my body to become. The pain in my lower back could no longer be ignored and I
had not slept through the night in four months. It was time to try Pilates.
I spoke with Shannon and she put my fears to rest. These are normal people, who
are in these classes with me. I don’t feel judged or out of place because I
don’t have a dancer’s figure. In fact, I feel strong and empowered by the
Pilates, the instructors and the support for newcomers by the other people in
the classes.
Many wonderful things have come out of my experience with Pilates. The most
amazing thing of all is that after the first three of my initial training
sessions, the pain in my back was gone. I went to bed that evening
and was amazed when I awoke the next morning, realizing I hadn’t had to get up
all night. That was all I needed to hook me!
Since that day, I have committed myself to two classes a week minimum, but
usually get in three. It has also provided me with the energy and inspiration
to start walking on a more regular basis. My favorite moves in class have to do
with strengthening my arms, shoulders and back, which have provided me the best
posture I have ever had. My mother was always on me about my posture growing
up, now I see why. You feel better when everything lines up correctly!
Jane Hughes
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Client Testimonial - Ann Firestone " There is NO way I can
do that"
All I knew about Pilates was what I saw on the infomercials
that Mari Winsor has. I said "there is NO way I can do that" (balancing self on
tailbone, legs at 45 degree angle and arms in front, neck in C-curve. My friend
said, "I don't think that's what Pilates really is". He mentioned Pendleton
several times to me, over the course of the summer. When I met Stacy in
September, and she introduced me to breathing/stretching/spine lengthening
exercises, I thought "well, if this is Pilates , I can do it". I called the
following Monday and was participating in my first lesson by that Wednesday.
Looking back, if I had known what the teachers were going to have me do, I
would have said "NO WAY". Yet, I would return each time, knowing (inspite of
aching muscles and soaked teeshirts and headbands, how good this felt for my
big body. Sarah and I both agreed, I needed more lessons on the reformer.
One thing led to another. I really like my teachers, I really like the way I
have been feeling and looking. People are noticing the changes (more open
chest, longer spine). At 15 sessions, several colleagues noticed the
differences through my middle (I liken it to 10 pounds of flour in a 5 pound
sack theory-or how to redistribute your weight.) My weight is a big issue. I
have calmed down considerably about food. With more mindful eating, increased
activity (I also go to Curves, and swim laps), I have managed to lose 15 pounds
since September. I committed to being weighed and measured at Curves before
2004 is over (I have been a bit shy of such activities since a large weight
gain from May-September). I committed to 10 more privates which I will space
over December. I look forward to reporting again after I reach 30 sessions!
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