Steve and his wife Julie are just about the kindest people you could ever meet! We love having them at the studio and were so happy for Steve when he recently shared with us how Pilates has changed his life. Read more of his story below:
For as long as I can remember, I’ve had back and hip pain. Waking up at night – every night – with severe pain. I’ve struggled walking, and literally couldn’t sit on the floor with my kids. I have always done ton of sports – from a very, very early age. Basketball, football, track and field, skating, tennis, volleyball, golf, baseball, softball, gymnastics… you name it. I’ve had more than my share of injuries. My parents and sisters also have hip pain, so in large part, I relegated myself to a life with pain – I assumed it just is what it is.
I’ve been going to a chiropractor for 15 years, with some relief, but nothing that lasted. I’ve done PT, with some relief, but nothing that lasted. I’ve done core strength exercises (ab work, crunches, planks, pushups) forever – but I still had hip and low back pain.
Then Julie invited me to come with her to your studio.
As I began to learn how to be aware of my body, what a safe and good position was to do core strength exercises, I started to get some relief. But even after a year of Pilates, I’d come into class and couldn’t do a number of the exercises because my hips still hurt. I’d do great the day of the class, but by the next class, was all messed up again.
Then my life literally changed. Overnight. I was in a solo class with Tammy and she had the ability to really focus on what I was doing and how I was doing it. It turns out that I have literally been standing, sitting and laying on my back in correctly for years. Like, 40 years. I have most likely been doing that to protect back and joint injuries from long ago, thinking that standing and sitting like that was giving me relief. In reality it was exacerbating the problem.
Tammy taught me how to stand properly, with my hips and pelvis in the proper position. This translated to how I sit and even how I sleep. I put this new knowledge into practice immediately. Over the next two weeks, I literally had no hip pain. I’m in my mid 50’s and I literally can’t remember a day when I didn’t have hip pain. Standing properly also changed how I walk and has eliminated foot pain (I was standing on my heels with my feet turned out). It has also taken a lot of pressure off my low back.
Bottom line, it has literally changed my life.
I am so immensely grateful for the instruction, help and genuine caring that Tammy (and all your teachers) show. I am so thankful for her insight, patience, discernment and ability to apply what she knows in a way that I could understand and apply.
If I had a piece of advice for those new to Pilates, it would be to take the time and money to do at least 2-3 1:1 classes with a teacher. Learn how to do the basics in a way that works for you before you jump into a group class.
Come see if Pilates can help make a difference for you! At Whole Living Pilates we are committed to teaching the original work of Joseph Pilates with a modern understanding of Biomechanics and Functional Anatomy. This unparalleled approach leads to incredible results for our clients! Message us today to get started with your Pilates journey!
