A Pilates Limerick

How Pilates Has Changed My Life

I started coming to Pacific NW Pilates in January of 2007 on the advice of my doctor. The previous summer I was diagnosed with a problem with my sacroiliac. After months of pain pills, muscle relaxers, massages and physical therapy my doctor prescribed Pilates. He said I needed to have a strong core to support my body. Years of abuse from child birth, including a C-section, and just every day life had taken its toll on my 47 year old body.

I started with a beginner jump start mat class. The pace was a little too fast for me so I tried a gentle Pilates class with Sue. The slower pace of that class is what I needed. The class also had people like me suffering from a variety of different injuries. Eventually I got strong enough to start going to Sue’s beginner mat classes and as her schedule opened up I started doing private lessons with Sue as well. The first year was a slow journey for me. I was afraid of re-injuring my back so I was overly cautious. It also took a long time and lots of private lessons for me to figure out how to correctly get in a proper “neutral” position and stop “tucking.” It took time to get stronger but eventually I did.

The summer of 2007 my family spent two months in Europe. I was not able to go for my Pilates classes.

I was on my own and spending lots of time on trains, buses and airplanes and sleeping in a different bed every week. I continued doing basic Pilates exercises I had learned to keep my core and back strong. I don’t think I would have enjoyed my trip as much as I did without Pilates. Pilates played a big role in keeping me mentally and physically healthier that summer.

Along the way there have been set backs, like the time I was in a hurry and tried pulling my dog out of the car when she wouldn’t budge. That was a month before I was heading to Europe for the summer! But with Pilates basics under my belt recovery was easier and faster. Last December I went sledding and severely sprained my ankle. Again with time and Sue working on my injured ankle, Pilates once again made a huge difference in my recovery.

Rosie Fiallo

Pilates is A Part of My Healing

I was originally referred to PNW Pilates by my PT of over 25 years in putting me back together after several car accidents, recurring SI dysfunction and a couple of falls!! All of the above cooperate too well in leaving me uncomfortable at best, and unable to move at worst.

27 years ago when I had just arrived in Portland my left SI did its usual slipping out and I was hosptialized at Saint vinnie’s for two weeks, and put into traction on valium and codeine for two more months at home. I worked from my home setup with an old-fashioned traction device. I was not given any PT after being released from the hospital, and told to remain in bed for as long as it took to reduce the muscle spasm. 12 months after this episode, I gave birth to my first child(and had been confined to bed for the last 3 months of my pregnancy due to the threat of an early birth–which didn’t happen) You can just imagine what poor physical shape I was in for that event!!

Several years later, the same thing happened, and this time I was given a half inch lift to wear in my right shoe–which I did for about 6 years, and sent back to my PT, whom I had met through my first child’s pediatrician, who sent me there for a crik in the neck from long middle of the night feedings, and continued Si dysfunction.) I continued to have episodes; when the orthopedist who put in the lift sent me away in the middle of one such crippling episode (now I was home with 2 little ones, and my husband was travelling!!!)I turned to a friend , a DO, who set me up for x-ray studies of leg length and cranial sacral treatments with a colleague.

Fast forward through MANY cranial treatments(several practitioners), acupuncture, 3 car accidents and 2 surgeries, and PT: About 1 1/2 years ago, my PT sent me to Melanie after several attempts on my part to undertake exercise programs on my own. After several sessions with Mel, she turned me over to dear Janet, and I have been happy ever since.

Last winter I suffered round of a frozen shoulder; the previous episode had me stopping all activity , including walking, because of the pain. Janet urged me to continue with the pilates, and modified the workouts according to whatever shape I was in at the time. She is patient, cheerful and very supportive, skillfully reading my readiness for her routine at any given moment, and adapting them on the spot to my ability on a given day. This past summer I went through another period of frequent “slips” in my pelvis, which were, I believe held in abeyance by Janet’s skill in straightening me out, literally, in a session. She encouraged me to supplement with visits to the chiropractor if I asked for her opinion.

Unfortunately, due to financial difficulties at home, I have had to postpone my next round of 10 sessions. I am having major jaw surgery in November, and have every intention of coming back asap, as I believe that working with Janet will speed my recovery from that major event. I will be back for her professional and personal touches in my “healing process”, and can absolutely attest to the success that one-on-one pilates has brought to my long-standing skeletal problems. Janet has given me some exercises to continue at home (without the reformer, which I will sorely miss) and has convinced me of the utility of one-on-one instruction for my circumstances. I am not ready to “take a class” and am suspicious of the many venues where people are teaching “pilates” just by saying so (indeed, I have the same opinion about many yoga classes), and have developed a good understanding and respect for, under Janet’s care, just how much training goes into a good instructor of pilates. She is always caring and professional.

I hope to be back in the studio very soon. I will miss my weekly dose of Janet’s enthusiasm and skill for the next little bit—

What Pilates has Done For Me!

I recently hit the “50″ mark (ugh, oh-no not me) and had a physical… my blood work came back as if I was in my 30’s, this was great news ! However I had been waking up with back pain (in spite of a “sleep number” bed) and the doctor sent me off for an x-ray… his letter said something to the effect of “your back is older than you look”… I was devastated, I don’t look 50 (at least that is what other kind people have said and most especially as I am a DOER (typically well above others), not a watcher/couch-potato. So off to physical therapy he sent me. PT said that development of my “core” was the best treatment for addressing my “aged” back. They referred me to Pacific NW Pilates.
Though I have not been at Pilates very long, I attribute Pilates to no more back pain in the morning. Proper diet and cardio workouts in a gym had not been enough to address the needs for my back. So even though I’m a “newbie” at Pilates, I am well convinced that I’m going to be a life long Pilates advocate.
Since starting Pilates, the back pain in the morning is gone, I’ve dropped several pounds, reduced my body fat, and am within 10 lbs of my high-school cross-country running days (!), one of my next goals. I’ve been attending great semi-privates, and will be looking to schedule group classes next.
Best regards,
Otto

My Little Pilates Story- Big to Me!

My story is little unless you are me, then it is big!
I’m a pediatric physical therapist, in practice since 1971.  Was never athletic at all, I always preferred to hang out with a book rather than play sports.  But I live an active life and enjoy gardening, hiking, backpacking, x-c skiing, and sea kayaking.  I injured my back gardening in 1979 (SI strain) and had intermittent low back pain ever since.  I tried “crunches” and other basic abdominal strengthening exercises, but could never get strong enough.  At work, my little patients transitioning from crawling to walking always made my back ache, and it was really bad if I had two of them in a day’s work.

I worked out the the gym, doing step aerobics and then spinning.  One day, a fellow spinner told me about Traci’s Pilates class at the downtown Bally’s Total Fitness.  I tried it and I was hooked.  The mind-body training began to make a difference as I learned to get my abdominals to wake up and do their job.  I’ve continued with weekly classes (moving to Pacific NW Pilates with Traci).  I took Melanie’s Pilates for Rehab class at Pacific NW Pilates and that solidified my understanding of the basic principles.  I did not get the certification, but do incorporate the principles and exercises in my work whenever possible.  I also have several “routines” I do at home (with the help of Moira, PJ and others on DVD!), and it is such a fabulous way to start my day.  The good news is that I rarely have low back pain anymore, even after gardening, crawling around after little kids, and doing housework.

I continue to learn about my body and how to keep it happy.  After a spell of very uncomfortable neck pain, followed by PT, home traction, massage, and still residual pain, I had 2 sessions with Melanie.  She “nailed” the source of the aggravation and gave me a great home program.  It is not easy for a 60 year old body to change her posture, but the awareness  of what needs to change, and the tools to work on it are beyond value!  The arthritis won’t go away, but the pain does, and that is life changing.

A happy PS is that my husband and I planned a 5 day kayak trip for our vacation in September.  I was concerned that all that shoulder work would aggravate my neck. The good news is that by stabilizing my shoulders as I held the paddle, my good posture was easy, and I never felt better than when my paddle was in my hands! We had a fabulous week in the Gulf Islands, and I did “my Pilates” on the water, every day.

Thank you to Melanie, Traci and all the folks who keep your studio such an awesome place to be healthy!

Jocelyn Goodall (Physical Therapist)

My Pilates Story

I began to take pilates lessons in February of 2008 when I was diagnosed with moderate to severe hip arthritis. My hips were giving me a great deal of pain on a daily basis. But, I was reluctant to accept hip replacement surgery as my only option. I had known Cheryl Ramette from interactions at our workplace and knew that she taught pilates. For quite some time, I had told myself that I needed to take pilates lessons. But, this hip arthritis diagnosis moved me to take action. I contacted Cheryl and signed up for a few private lessons. Then I moved on to a pattern of two group mat and reformer lessons a week.

Then, on 9/9/08, I experienced a serious fall caused by a spontaneous break of my right femur. The process of my femur breaking caused me to land on my left arm. My left ulna then broke in five places and my left radial head was demolished. I was hospitalized (of course) and had two surgeries to repair my broken bones. Of course, I had to take a break in my pilates lessons.

However, I was back to Pacific Northwest Pilates and working with Cheryl in private lessons by December of 2008. For a month, we worked together to assess my current situation and awaken my sleepy muscles. By January I was strong enough to begin participating in group mat and reformer classes. I have continued those since that time. I have also involved myself in a great deal of water therapy.

By now (10/31/09) all my bones are healed; I can walk without a limp; my arm has more range of motion and strength than my surgeon thought was possible. My arm injuries were actually more serious and required more intricate reconstructive surgery than did my leg. My surgeon is amazed at my recovery.

And, my original goal of strengthening my hip and core muscles, so I could avoid (or postpone) replacement hip surgery, has been achieved. It is VERY rare for me to experience any hip pain.

And, this seems very significant in light of the intervening injuries I sustained and overcame!

I attribute all of this to my work with Cheryl and pilates. Gradually, she and I have seen my muscles become stronger; my endurance and strength have increased tremendously.

Thank Goodness for pilates!

Thanks, Carol

How Pilates Changed my Life!

I am an occupational therapist and work in inpatient rehabilitation. So I should know body mechanics. But I wasn’t attentive one fateful day in April 2002. I blew a disc and ended up with surgery at lumbar 4-5. After weeks of PT, insurance ran out and I was discharged with the recommendation to keep exercising. But what was the right exercise program? A football mom and also a client at PNWP, suggested that I try Pilates. 7 years later, I continue to do pilates so that I can move without pain.

Since doing Pilates, I have walked at least six 1/2 marathons, walked 7 Portland to Coast relay races, and continue to work a garden that produced over 100# of tomatoes.  My employers were certain that I would retire 7 yrs ago. But I am able to work and actually inspire my patients to get better because of my experience.

We work the low tummy and breathing whenever possible. Pilates is not just an exercise form, it is a way of life for me now. I do abdominal engagement exercises prior to getting out of bed. I am constantly readjusting my posture when driving, sitting at my desk, or walking down the hall. I have lost weight and inches during the last 7 yrs. Because of Pilates, I am wearing a smaller size than when I weighed this amount last. I am healthier and in better shape than I have ever been in my entire life. pilates has given me confidence in myself again.

Thank you to the fantastic instructors and staff at PNWP for helping me build a body with attitude by pilates.

Linda