ThePilatesClub.Net

As a Pilates Teacher, a woman of color and now a member of the AARP card-carrying set (oh my god, I actually admitted that publicly in writing!!), I am delighted to share a bit of old news coupled with an upcoming event involving one of the Pilates Elders and Master Teachers.  The facts about these two Pilates Masters is well known hroughout the Pilates "insider" community but I will venture to guess far less a known fact by many of the students and bodies we touch and teach regularly in the art and science of Pilates.

Five Beginner Class students approached me at the conclusion of their mat program last summer to find  a  way to continue  working.  These were the regulars.  They showed up for every possible class.  They  were excited and wanted to master the work.

I suggested they try the FREE download of the audio file to use in their MP3 player or burn to a CD.   Two  of the five "new mom's" did exactly that.  They used the FREE download together as often as their  children and husbands would let them steal a few minutes for themselves.  In fact, I would frequently walk  down the hall of the Spa Studio area and hear a familiar voice - my own - coming from the studio as they were practicing with the workout.

  As a small private group we were able to work with a little more individual attention and soon progressed to the next layer of exercises.  The two mom's, as a result were able to continue their practice - now twice weekly  - and soon returned to report that they needed the next Pilates MP3 Workout download!  They were bored with the Intro Workout!  

Senior citizens, as Kathy so eloquently points out, have a special set of needs and concerns.  Arthritis, osteoporosis, joint stiffness, balance and flexibility are all daily life issues supported fabulously by regular pilates mat work.  Recently captured comments from Kathy, Rae and Asja at the Palisades Fitness Center tell their own story in their own words.

The Sept/Oct 2006 issue of PilatesStyle Magazine features an interview with  Bob Liekens, the Senior Director of Teacher Training at Power Pilates, the studio and training facility I call home.