I decided to drop in on a Tower Class at my studio. There I was, among my former clients, taking cues just like everyone else. I still had a fairly strong stomach, but in no way was I in the shape I was before my pregnancy. Needless to say, it was exactly what I needed. Knowing the instructors eyes were on me and seeing clients right next to me perform exercises was the perfect motivation to do better.

My studio reopens in a new location in just a couple weeks. It’s closer to my kids’ school, to my home and the perfect place for me to continue my new role as a student of Pilates. Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned as an Instructor, it’s that you never stop learning!

Mental concentration is one of the most important aspects of any sport. If an athlete lacks concentration, their athletic abilities cannot be effectively or efficiently applied to the task. Pilates provides increased focus. The ability to center the breath, hold various positions for a certain amount of time, and concentrate on mind-body fitness are necessary for young athletes to challenge their energies into one activity. Pilates does exactly this and more.

Coordination and balance are an integral part of every sport. Pilates strengthens the core muscles; abdominal, back and pelvic. If the core muscles are weak, the result may be poor body posture, back pain and other injuries. Good alignment of the spine helps keep the head, ribcage and pelvis in balance, and takes away tension and stress.

Body awareness increases self esteem and confidence. Many young people feel self conscious about their bodies. Pilates teaches control over the body which results in improved posture. The tendency to stand and sit up straight are extremely important in all facets of everyday life.

Strength and flexibility are necessary to successfully compete. Everyone knows that those with stronger muscles can lift more, push more and jump higher. Flexibility is important since it allows for increased range of motion. Flexible muscles are more elastic and, therefore, can restore themselves, particularly when the stretch is sudden. Strength can be developed without losing flexibility.

Weight management is important to athletes of any age. Pilates strengthens and lengthens core muscles without adding bulk.

Injuries are, unfortunately, an aspect of every sport. When Romana Kryzanowska, a renowned ballerina, was sent to Joseph Pilates with an injured ankle, she was amazed that he asked her to move her own body rather than just work on her injury. She only kept returning to his studio because he promised her a refund if she did not get better in five lessons. The positive impact these sessions had on her body and career brought her back to the studio again and again. She eventually studied with Pilates for 28 years and was ultimately entrusted to carry on his work as a Master Teacher of the Pilates method.

Pilates is what I teach, study, appreciate and love. I know, for me, that working out is a must. It makes me feel better and helps me look better. And truly, what I know about this form of exercise, is that I’ll be able to do it for the rest of my life. It will always be just the thing that my body needs, because Pilates is individualized. You can be a stiff football player and do Pilates…or a woman who has never done an minute of exercise in her life and still do Pilates.

When I started taking private Pilates lessons, I did beginner exercises and as I got better, added more and more until now I’m considered advanced. However, when I was pregnant, I had to eliminate and modify certain exercises. BUT I STILL DID PILATES. At times, I have clients call to say that they hurt their back playing with their kids or they injured their wrist and don’t think they can come in for their session. Usually, they still come in and we work on exercises that don’t exacerbate their injury, but help strengthen the rest of their body. I know that when I’m in my 50s, my 60s, my 70s and even my 80s, I’ll still be doing Pilates.

That’s what I really love about it.