The Pilates Way

"To achieve the highest accomplishments within the scope of our capabilities in all walks of life we must constantly strive to acquire strong, healthy bodies and develop our minds 
to the limits of our ability." 

-Joseph Pilates

I've been in the fitness industry professionally since 2007, officially ten years! But I have been working in health and fitness clubs since I was 17 years old; front desk, life guarding, and teaching four year olds to float and blow bubbles!

When I was a Senior in high school, I had 6th-8th period off my second semester. That means I was out of school by 12:15 every day! I was never the girl to spend my time shopping or watching TV. I would instead go straight to the gym and lift weights for about an hour. Then I would go home, get a snack, do my homework, and either head to softball practice or work.

In college I played softball for three years, lifting and sweating my everything off. Constantly working out! When I had retired from softball I got really into running. I did couple half marathons, but mostly losing myself in my music on the treadmill.

Then the running stopped because it was killing my knees. I was working as a Personal Trainer at this point and started to further my education. I've spent many hours going to seminars, studying new methods, reading about nutrition, and obtaining more certifications. I was always looking for the next "thing" to learn about. Finding that I was never really satisfied with my new knowledge, I kept searching for more.

Like there was an answer to my questioning, although I wasn't sure what my question was... I contemplated grad school for a long time, but could never pinpoint the area I wanted to study.

All I knew was exercise is who I am, it was all I had ever known.

This is when my health started to decline. Exercise began to physically and mentally exhaust my body and it hurt all the time. I was constantly sore and fatigued. I tried every different kind of exercise I thought possible. The kicker was, not exercising made me feel just as miserable.

NOTHING seemed to make my body feel any better and I knew there was something I was missing. What was even more upsetting, once again, was the fact that I was the professional.... Why hadn't I found the answer? As I was getting more weak and tired, those feelings of being ashamed were bubbling up daily.

In the fall of 2015 I was offered a job at a wellness studio. Up to this point, I had only worked in health clubs and gyms. It is a Pilates based studio, owned by a physical therapist. My boss and owner wanted to expand and hire a personal trainer to aid in the wellness program she had created.

I went to the studio that following Saturday and took my first Pilates class and fell in LOVE!

Four months later I started my journey and training on the Pilates Reformer, it changed my life. I have been studying and teaching Pilates now for a year. It has been the answer to so many of my questions.

Not only does my body feel good after I do Pilates; I feel energized, taller (I know crazy right?!), and more aligned. I am not crazy sore all over like I used to be. My fatigue is healthy and muscular, not mental and painful. Pilates gave me the ability to understand what my body needed, where it is moving in space, and to find happiness in my own skin.

I have the energy to lift weights again. My body responds better to the hard work outs and soaks up every leg circle possible. Remember, working out and taking charge of your health should feel good. It may not be easy, but when the day is done you should honor and love the journey you've accepted as your own.

* me doing Candlestick on the Pilates Trapeze table

Pilates has challenged my mind, body, and spirit. It is what I had been searching for, for so many years. I am so thankful for the people who have believed in me and took me where I am today. The best part, I have finally found my calling! No more wondering what's next in my career, at least not for now! I have completely thrown myself into everything Pilates and am super excited to get more of these certifications under my belt!

"Physical fitness is the first requisite of happiness. Our interpretation of physical fitness is the attainment and maintenance of a uniformly developed body with a sound mind fully capable of naturally, easily, and satisfactorily performing our many and varied daily tasks with spontaneous zest and pleasure." 

-Joseph Pilates

If you need help, or are also searching for answers, please don't hesitate to reach out to me. I have spent many years coaching women and men to find what is right for their bodies.