Passionate For Pilates

Pilates is a form of exercise created by Joseph H. Pilates in the early 1920's derived from his study of yoga and the martial arts. In 1923, German-born Joseph H. Pilates brought his unique method of physical and mental conditioning to the United States.

Pilates engages the mind and conditions the total body. It is a unique combination of strength and flexibility training that improves posture, reduces stress and creates long, lean muscles without bulking up. Pilates is able to work several muscle groups simultaneously. The smooth, continuous motions of this exercise concentrate on strengthening and stabilizing the core, which is your abdomen, back and pelvic girdle region, sometimes referred to as the "powerhouse".

Three years ago I gained 60 pounds during the pregnancy of my fourth child. Following his birth, I never lost that weight. When he was only 6 months old, I was diagnosed with Young Onset Parkinson's Disease. Between my Parkinson’s symptoms and my weight gain, I figured I would never find an exercise that I could handle or commit to on a consistent basis; I figured I was going to be heavy for the rest of my life. That was until I saw something on TV late one night about Pilates. It was the secret of the stars and dancers had been using it for decades. It looked liked something I could do and I figured I’d give it a try. 

On March 17, 2004, I began doing 20-40 minutes of Pilates every single day combined with a sensible diet.

• Four weeks later, I had already lost 20 pounds and dropped from a size 14 to a size 10. I felt better than ever and I was even noticing it was helping some of my Parkinson’s Symptoms, such as my mobility and flexibility.
• Eight weeks later I was down nearly 30 pounds and had gone from a size 14 to a size 6! 
• Only 12 weeks after beginning daily Pilates, I was down 40 pounds and could fit a size 2 (and I can even fit in junior sized 16's and 14's).
• Even when I was at a point that I would still need to lose 20 pounds to get down to what I weighed when I got pregnant with my 4th child, I was ALREADY fitting sizes SMALLER than I was wearing back then because my body was more toned than it's ever been in my life! I don't even care about the number on the scale anymore because Pilates makes me feel so good.
• 7 months after discovering Pilates and eating better, I'm down 57 pounds and barely fitting my size 2's.
• For the first time in my life, I can do BOY PUSHUPS! Pilates will really help you gain strength you never thought possible and without even breaking a sweat!
• PILATES TOTALLY ROCKS!! If I can do it, YOU can do it!