I have resisted Pilates since it became popular in the 90’s. It’s not because I didn’t want to look like all those sexy celebrities who swear by Pilates, I just thought it wasn’t for me. I always believed that running and lifting weights was all I needed to stay fit. Boy was I wrong.
As you know, some things happen for a reason. For quite some time, I’d been thinking I should give Pilates a try to see if it would help alleviate some of the dysfunction in my thoracic spine. One day I woke up and decided that was the day I would find a Pilates Studio and give them a call. Later that morning, I met Jennifer Kries while walking Stella and Jessie in Washington Square. She told me she taught Pilates and I promised I would set up a session with her. After 3 months of emailing each other back and forth, I finally scheduled my first lesson. I knew it would be an educational experience but had no idea:
- How much I would learn
- How many misconceptions I had about Pilates; and
- How incredibly talented Jennifer is
Jennifer is a true healer with an extensive background in mind-body arts and fitness. Her knowledge of anatomy, her verbal cues and her incredible teaching methods impressed me beyond words. She has inspired and empowered women around the world with her award winning Method Series DVDs (which she did not tell me about when I met her).
According to Jennifer, there are six principles of Pilates: concentration, control, centering, breath, flow and precision. When performed correctly, you learn to move with maximum efficiency while minimizing stress on your body. You are able to access new levels in your body and create a deeper, more complete feeling of fitness, energy and vitality that remains with you days after your workout.
Jennifer continues her explanation: “The focus is on the center of the body—the “powerhouse”. These corset muscles—also also known as the stabilizing core muscles of the torso—support the spine. The active collaboration of these major muscle groups creates a solid cylinder around the central spine. Keeping these muscles super strong helps prevent shearing or eroding forces from being applied to the vertebrae, ligaments and discs. Problems in the spine result from acute injuries, repetitive trauma and habitual patterns of movement that are unconscious and unproductive for the body and mind.”
My first day, Jennifer simply asked me to stand and breathe while she observed me. Can I tell you how hard this was? I would have much rather had her tell me to drop to the floor and do 50 push-ups. Because of the restrictions in my mid-back, taking continual deep breaths while standing with good posture is quite difficult.
To make a long story short, Jennifer’s trained eye saw many destructive things about my posture. My “natural” posture is causing a lot of compression on my low back and hips (which can also affect the knees). The tightness in my rib cage is causing me to round my shoulders which will continue to worsen my posture over time if I don’t do something about it now.
After 4 sessions, I’ve learned specific exercises that will help improve both my posture and my rib dysfunction over time. The extreme rigidity in my thoracic spine is improving and I’m definitely sleeping better. The deep breathing is still really hard for me, but it is getting a little easier.
I believe that Pilates is almost a necessity for people like me. No, I’m not a dancer or an actress; I’m a 46 year old woman with significant issues in my spine and I suffer from sporadic pain in my hips and knees. I am planning on taking Pilates at least one time per week for the rest of my life! With weekly classes, I am confident that my posture will be better when I’m 65 than it is today. I think it’s a good goal.
If you want to increase your core strength, improve your lung capacity and improve your mind-body connection, please give Pilates a try. You’ll learn to connect your mind with your body. If you’re willing, you’ll also learn to slow down and realize that life is not something we should strive to race through. We should embrace life every day by living in the moment.
If you’re interested in purchasing one of Jennifer’s DVDs, please visit her site at www.jenniferkries.com. If you’ve had a “life-changing” experience from performing Pilates, please share your story.
Stand tall and Breathe,
Molly
great article molly…i am a totally addicted pilates reformer student!!!…gone our my days of running the stadiums with you guys!!!
Hi Kirsten:
How many days per week do you take Pilates? It must be working because you looked amazing at Lindsay’s wedding!
Molly, knowing the kind of back my husband has (3) disk herniations, do you think he would be a candidate for Pilates?
Yes…have him go see Nancye at Balanced Bodies since she does rehab-based Pilates.
I love Jennifer Kries! I have her first Pilates video from a long time ago. This is a good reminder to pull it out and get started again. Thank you!
Hi Annalee:
Jennifer has some new DVDs coming out next week. I’m getting my copy today. Check out her website…let us know what you think.
Molly, I am so proud of you! Pilates is a great thing for sure!! 🙂 I will have to check out Jennifer’s videos for when I can’t make it to the gym……
Laurie:
How many times per week are you taking Pilates? And, how has it helped you? Please let us know and the next time we come to Oklahoma I promise to take it with you… 🙂
I’m so glad you wrote this article! I had been doing Pilates for several years and got out of the routine about a year and a half ago.
I became totally out of balance.That’s why I recently returned to Pilates.
I now do strength training at the gym and Pilates in a studio.I hope to eventually just do Pilates. I’m not brave enough to walk away from weight training yet.
I do believe Pilates is going to be the healthiest path for me,long term. Thanks for introducing us to Jennifer Kries’ videos.
Your article just reinforces what I already knew.
I plan on keeping Pilates in my workout routine! 🙂
Iliana: I don’t think you should “walk away” from strength training–ever. It’s important to mix it up–include cardio and strength in your weekly routine…but always pay attention to your body and listen to what it tells you. I don’t particularly LIKE doing Pilates (you all know how much I hate ab work) but I know it’s something that will be tremendous benefit to me in the future. Let us know how you feel once you’re back in the swing of it. Thanks for the comment! Molly
Iliana:
Are you keeping up with your Pilates now? How do you feel it affects your body? We’d love to hear…
Molly, I am a firm believer in “mixing it up”. I am not a yoga person and found Pilates to be a nice mix of the two. I have a reformer machine at home and once you become more familiar with the exercises using the machine adds another dimension to the exercises. I have not tried the Wundu ? spelling chair but know people who love it.
Again, more challenging. Have fun exploring!
Lynn:
In what ways do you fell Pilates has helped you? Can you please with us?
Molly…can’t believe you posted the Pilates scoop and then called me to see about my upcoming knee replacement surgery. I was excited to tell you once I had decided on the surgery I would be the good patient and get my knee in shape to help with my recovery. That was two months ago. Well after two months of 2 to 3 times a week pilates…I have had to cancel the surgery.. No pain…No swelling. What the hell happened. I was bone on bone lots of pain and swelling. (Molly you know I was hurting for me to agree to surgery).
Phil, my in home ortho man, started noticing hqw great I was doing. He asked me two weeks ago how much pain I was having. I thought about it and said “None”. His reply “Cancel the damn surgery if your not hurting don’t do it.” Yeah…. Honestly my posture is better, I can actually see behind me when I turn my head to back up the car.. Unfortunately $2600.00 to late, Two months ago I backed into my son’s truck oops. Best of all my back stopped hurting. Geezee Peezee I sound like I was a mess.
Oh well bottom line I love my Pilates and would even more if it could help me remember stuff….love all robin
Wow…everyone should read about your experience. Thanks so much for sharing it with us Robin!