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

Pilates has Put Me Back on Track!

My name is Meg, and I have been taking the Beginner/Intermediate reformer class with my mom since June. My mother was theinspiration to finally make the financial commitment and start taking weekly classes. She has had amazing results in her posture and strength not to mention a boost in self-confidence. I have always been a very active person from taking dance classes since I was 3 to competing in running and field hockey at the collegiate level. I was blessed in not experiencing any major injuries during my lifetime and believe this was due to the strength training I received in dance. When I moved to Portland three years ago, I didn’t run consistently and stopped taking dance classes. This resulted in losing a great deal of the strength and flexibility that helped keep me injury free.

It was a wake up call for me back in March when I broke my ankle while playing an indoor soccer game. I had never broken a bone before or had to use crutches, and I realized that I had been taking my physical health for granted. The healing process has been long and painful, but I took the necessary steps to get things back on track. The reformer classes have been a huge part of my rehabilitation and I feel that my ankles are now stronger than they ever were. I have also finally gotten back into running again and due to my injury have a entire new appreciate for my ability to do so. I am running faster and stronger than I did during the years in was in the best shape of my life and I truly believe that pilates has made the difference. I had a very successful relay race performance about a month ago and will run my first 10K road race at the end of October. I have a feeling I will perform well due to my increased strength and flexibility.
I look forward to going to my reformer class each week and can’t thank Pacific Northwest Pilates enough for bringing about this personal transformation.

Thanks, Meg

Pilates saved my life! Really!

Dear Pacific NW Pilates:

You have heard my story before but I credit Pilates for saving my life when I had a ruptured appendix in October of 2006.  While at our home on the Oregon coast, I began having severe abdominal pains.  A trip to the Seaside hospital resulted in an incorrect diagnosis and I was sent home with pain killers and instructions to rest.  A day later the pains were more severe and I returned to the hospital and a surgeon sent me by ambulance to St. Vincent’s where I had surgery immediately.  I had gangrene throughout my body as the organ had ruptured.  I was in the hospital for a week as the doctors were fully expecting secondary infection.  However, that did not occur and I was released.  The day after my release from the hospital I resumed physical activity by walking a mile and two weeks later I was back in the Pilates studio.  My surgeon said he had never encountered anyone in as critical condition as I was and had never seen anyone recover as quickly as I was.  He credited my physical conditioning for saving my life.  Other doctors verified that I lived 24 hours longer than most people would have given the same amount of infection in my body.  So, Pilates did help save my life and made it possible for me to regain full function very quickly.

The same results were true for my recovery from a double mastectomy for breast cancer in December 2008.  My surgeon told my family that I had amazingly strong pectoral muscles which helped make the recovery and reconstruction go smoothly.  Again, a day after surgery I was back on my exercise bike and two weeks after I returned to the Pilates studio.  I fully expect to be a champion over breast cancer through maintaining my physical conditioning.

These life experiences have confirmed for me that physical conditioning and Pilates in particular makes it possible to endure and recover quickly from serious physical injury.  And, that this applies to anyone at any age.

Kay

Job shadowing a pilates instructor

This was emailed to us, but we thought others might be interested!

My name is Hannah Walker and I’m a high school Junior interested in talking with you about teaching, your training, and your experiences owning a studio, to find out a little more about working as a Pilates instructor.

I am planning on coming to your studio for my Pilates certification and would like to learn more about your instructors as well as your thoughts on the STOTT PILATES method versus other teaching styles.

A little background about myself. I was a serious ballet dancer from age 4 until 15 and discovered Pilates through my dance studios. I stopped dancing ballet but have enjoyed taking some modern classes since then and I still continue with Pilates at Pilates Plus Northwest as well as Gyrotonic and Gyrokinesis at Center Gyrotonic. My objective is to obtain my Pilates certification before I graduate high school, and eventually obtain my Gyrotonic and Gyrokinesis certifications as well.

I know you are very busy, and don’t always have the time to meet with people. I thought that perhaps it would be more convenient if I emailed you some of my questions, and you can get back to me at your leisure.

Hi Hannah:

Actually, I didn’t choose STOTT PILATES, it chose me, and I am feel very fortunate about that. I decided to begin taking pilates classes after acquiring a dance injury (a stress fracture to my left tibia) that wouldn’t heal. It is a long story, but, in essence, I ended up missing nearly a year of my dance career while I was at Oregon Ballet Theatre. During that time, one of my co-workers (another dancer) suggested that I go with her to do pilates. The instructor had also been a dancer and she was a certified STOTT PILATES Instructor Trainer. Well, I had studied pilates in New York City many years before, so this particular style was unfamiliar to me, but as soon as we started going to classes, I fell in love it. I especially liked how anatomically- based it was. My teacher had been educated to work with injuries, and she worked very specifically with me on my imbalances and weaknesses; I began to realize that many of which may have instigated my injury. After I finally returned to dancing after being off for months, I was shocked at the amount of strength and over-all control I had gained. Even my co-workers were amazed.

It is difficult to find positions available that offer full-time work and benefits for pilates teaching only. Typically, in the United States, pilates instructors are self-employed. Nevertheless, those jobs do exist. At large gyms, clubs or resorts, you can find salaried or set hourly positions like this. Sometimes workers have multiple roles to acquire this employee status. For example, you may be a pilates instructor at a large gym and also do personal training or administrative work. At any rate, I think one of the benefits of pilates is that it can be taught in your own home. Because the equipment and initial investment is relatively low, compared to many start up businesses, a certified instructor can do really well. Also, many studios rent space and equipment to certified pilates instructors to run their own business within.

Depending on where you live, pilates can be very competitive or relatively unknown. Certainly, it is more popular than ten years ago, but that can also work to a new instructors advantage; the public does not need to be educated about what pilates is or its benefits like teachers had to do a decade ago. I think an instructor that is considering a career in pilates should do some homework about the region that they intend to work in prior to acquiring their certification. He or she should look seriously that the region’s demographics and if it can support a teacher. Also, I have seen excellent pilates teachers thrive in areas that are not typically supportive of a business like pilates, but because of the individual’s personality, talents and skills as a teacher he or she excels anyway.

Income varies widely depending on the region in which you live. An instructor that I know in Los Angeles makes over $80,000 per year. She doesn’t work at a studio but instead has built a business catering to the affluent people in that region. She requires her students to purchase STOTT PILATES equipment, and she teaches them in their homes. She is an excellent instructor and uses word-of-mouth referrals to gain new students.

I am not sure that this same kind of business could thrive in a city the size of Portland. There are people in this city with this same level of affluence, but compared to population there are fewer. Also, the Portland mind-set is completely different than L.A.

In a city like Portland, an excellent, hard-working, full time teacher (30-35 hours per week) can probably earn about $45,000-$60,000 per year, depending on their circumstances (if they are a business owner and how many hours they work.)

I think an Exercise Science Degree could be helpful to someone interested in pursuing a career in pilates. In fact, I have met many college students getting a degree in Exercise Science or Physical Therapy pursue the pilates training as a means to be employed while in school. Because of the ability to have a flexible schedule and be self-employed as a pilates instructor, it is a great job option that is complementary to their academic pursuits.
Business courses are definitely helpful to individuals considering opening a studio.

Yes, word-of-mouth referrals are the primary way that we acquire new students. Initially, when we opened our studio, we had to invest money into print advertising, conventions, and offer ongoing specials and discounts etc. After about four years in business, we found that most of our clients were finding us through referrals and on the internet. After seven years, we discontinued all of our print advertising. Having excellent instructors and keeping our clientele happy has been the best way to build loyalty and a consistently positive reputation in our area.

Thanks, again, Hannah, for contacting us. I wish you the best of luck, and I look forward to meeting you one day.

Thanks much,
Leslie

Pilates for Equestrians

Anatomy of the Pilates Reformer

The pilates reformer is an amazing piece of equipment. The design is simple and, yet, it is extremely versatile, enabling one one to do hundreds of different exercises that strengthen and/or stretch the arms, legs and trunk.

There is a carriage in which one can sit, kneel or stand on and which glides back and forth. On the underneath side of the carriage or wheels which allow it to glide and 5 different springs which create resistance to work against.

Resistance can be created for the arms or legs in various positions by either placing the hands or feet on the footbar (the bar at the front) or by putting the hands or feet into the straps. Depending on the exercise, all parts of the body can be used to either move the carriage or to stabilize the body against resistance that is very light or very heavy.

 In this particular exercise, the student is rotating her spine against resistance when she turns to the left, using her obliques, to create the rotation.

 The focus of an exercise, muscularly, can change depending on the amount of resistance (number of springs). For example, In this next exercise (pictured below), the student is pushing the carriage in and out with her arms. If the weight is lighter, then it takes more effort to control the position of her back to maintain a plank position, if it is heavier than it becomes more challenging for her upper body.

    This remarkable piece of equipment also allows you to use the straps to work the upper body and legs while, simultaneously, working the abdominals to create length of the spine. Seen here, the arms are working but also the spine is rounding into a deep curve.

The reformer also allows you to build strength and flexiblity by controlling the carriage in a standing postion. Imagine trying to keep the carriage pressed out and bending forward (as seen below) on very light spring weight! This exercise is a great workout for the muscles on the inside of our legs and challenges flexibility of the hamstrings, coordination and balance!

What’s the difference between yoga and pilates?

Frequently, people ask me what the difference is between yoga and pilates and if they should practice one versus the other. While there are differences, there are many elements of pilates and yoga that complement each other.

Yoga which means “union,” is a highly sophisticated system of whole-body integration. It has a physical component, the asana (postures or poses) that promote toning and strengthening muscles, flexibility and range of motion, balance and relaxation. It generates motion without causing strain or imbalance in the body. It also asks for a full union of body, mind and spirit, so you can’t be distracted while doing yoga–you need to be fully present. Yoga is a spiritual practice, providing tools to help quiet the mind, become more grounded, and live in harmony and tranquility.

Pilates, on the other hand, is an exercise form developed by Joseph H. Pilates during World War I. The Pilates method emphasizes building strength and improving posture, balance, coordination and stamina. The exercises can be done on the floor (mat-based Pilates) and on specialized equipment. Designed to strengthen, stretch, and stabilize muscles without building bulk, Pilates can benefit anyone. In Pilates, emphasis is placed on ensuring that the movement is done fluidly, but, accurately: The quality of the movement is more important than the number of repetitions completed.

So, what are the similarities between the two methods?

• Both methods facilitate deep concentration and integration of the whole body. Often described as the mind-body connection, this leads one to be fully present and in the moment
• Both improve alignment and posture and create a sense of balance in the body.
• Both forms are excellent for injury prevention. Both promote healing and help facilitate recovery from injury.
• Both are interested in creating a sense of energetic flow through the body, facilitating grace, poise and coordination.
• Both forms have been “tried and tested.” They aren’t just some new fitness fad.

What are some of the main differences?

• Yoga adds a spiritual element to the mix. The Indian sage Patanjali wrote the yoga sutras thousands of years ago, describing the spiritual and philosophical path of yoga.
• Yoga takes a holistic approach to the body, while Pilates focuses on a specific area called “The Powerhouse.”
• Pilates improves flexibility by fluidly moving the limbs in their full range of motion against a stable base of support, while yoga improves flexibility by lengthening muscles during dynamic poses (asanas).
• Yoga offers tools to aid in relaxation, relieving stress, and meditation.
• Breathing is very important in both forms, but the technique is different.

Why is the combination so beneficial?

• The concentration required in a Pilates workout really helps build the focus that is required for doing the yoga asanas (poses), pranayama (breathing techniques), and meditation.
• The focus on precision and movement technique, emphasized in Pilates, assists the yoga student to work more correctly.
• The asana in yoga give the Pilates student a broader scope of practice to apply stability and good technique.
• The stronger core body developed in Pilates, gives the student confidence to go more deeply into their yoga practice, more safely.

Practicing both Pilates and Yoga, gives a student more tools for developing a whole body that is vital, aware and adaptable.