| Just a few short months ago I really believed Pilates | | | | (Seriously, a pair of sweats are fine.) |
| was some sort of foreign idea, to me in the same vein | | | | |
| as yoga, or ballet. In order to participate I thought I | | | | I was surprised when during my research I found a |
| would have to be in a different frame of mind; I | | | | few pilates studios in my neighborhood. But in my first |
| imagined headscarves and coordinating outfits would | | | | visit I almost walked right out again. There were Pilates |
| be involved, right? Pilates exercises had to be a waste | | | | balance balls and all kinds of other silly-looking |
| of time. Probably for older, slower, maybe feminine | | | | equipment that seemed to have no place in an |
| types. I had always stayed fit. I played sports, shot | | | | exercise class. I thought all of the people in the |
| hoops, jogged some, and never missed touch football | | | | balanced body Pilates class were housewives except |
| on the weekends with my buddies. If I hadn't been | | | | for me. I felt out of my comfort zone. For lack of a |
| seriously injured, it would not have even occurred to | | | | better option I joined a local class. |
| me to try balanced body Pilates. Why would I? | | | | |
| | | | Fast forward: talk about eye-opening! Almost as soon |
| Then I was injured in a car accident. Luckily I was only | | | | as the balanced body pilates started, I felt cared about |
| bruised, stiff and sore, but I found I was lacking in | | | | and I felt better. The other members were helpful and |
| endurance and strength. That was unacceptable. I | | | | caring; many shared their own stories of strength and |
| reluctantly tried balanced body Pilates on the advice of | | | | endurance, immediately shelving my limited opinions. |
| a friend of mine. She was struck by a cab three years | | | | The whole experience was engineered to help the |
| ago and had significant injuries. She told me that doing | | | | body develop the proper postures and the necessary |
| fitness Pilates classes had changed her life and insists | | | | strength and flexibility to restore my health. The |
| she wouldn't be doing as well otherwise, which | | | | balanced body Pilates led me to a full recovery. I |
| translated to me as saying she has had no long-term | | | | experienced a total recovery of mind and spirit. This |
| effects from her accident. I was dubiously impressed. | | | | guy found his inner peace, his zone, and, I cannot |
| My status quo was not working and a hundred dollars | | | | recommend Pilates enough. |
| was affordable. So off I went for my new outfit. | | | | |