April Inspiration of the Month: Jane McKenrick

After I received an email about Pilates teacher training last fall, I signed up for a complimentary session with Carey and had the feeling I was about to get hooked. I’ve never really looked back! Additionally, I was facing potential surgery on a foot and wanted to know if I could improve things to the extent that I might avoid it. (I have!) At this point in my life, as a retired educator and having recently moved to the area, I knew I had the time to dedicate myself to teacher training and to Pilates practice.

I believe strongly in constantly improving one’s mind as well as one’s body, and constantly reinventing oneself to fight the aging process. Yes, we may have to get older but we don’t have to become older. Pilates practice seems to be a perfect fit.

I had been active in many ways throughout my life and at one time, even owned a smaller “home version” of the Reformer. I loved using it, as well as taking aerobic exercise classes, Jazzercise, Barre, Pilates and Yoga classes.   I was a YMCA regular when I lived in Waukee but it was also there that I discovered an affinity for strength training (and a very strict diet!) with professional boxers in the West Des Moines area. Since moving to this area last spring, I had really missed that. Pilates practice has become my new passion. I love it and am eager to work with other Pilates students and teachers. We all continue to learn from each other.

Everyday if possible, and on many days, more than once! I participate in many online challenges and use them to augment sessions and classes at RiverCity Pilates. My body and my mind just seem to crave regular practice. My body never felt or looked better than at the end of “Joe’s Challenge.”

My first class was actually Shelley’s “EveryBody Mat” and of course, I watched other participants and tried to copy their moves. Now, I just feel Pilates within my own body and realize that at times, a beautiful teaser may not be there for me. But I keep trying. I love to use the phrase: I practice Pilates.

I’ve really enjoyed Barre/Pilates Mat classes with Nancy and Shannon, and Foam Roller with Kelly. My goal was to start taking Carey’s Pilates Mat on Wednesday nights, and my new goal is to join her Saturday Return to Life. I recently started working on the Reformer (a real one!) with Kelly and love it. Just can’t seem to get enough!

Psyche. Balance. Core strength. Improved flexibility. Better posture. Better sleep. The benefits seem to multiply and I strongly believe that Pilates practice made shoveling snow a lot easier last winter. I love seeing muscular definition in my thighs and knowing how I got it. I enjoy challenging myself to use new props and to keep practicing, refining, animproving an exercise.

Not really, although I have to admit that at one point, I didn’t like using props at all. Now, I actually enjoy them! And I never dreamed I would actually enjoy an entire workshop dedicated to use of the Magic Circle. I laugh at Joe’s sense of humor in developing and naming exercises: rolling like a ball, seal, etc., and am fascinated by the sequence of exercises and the flow from one movement to another. I really enjoy knowing I performed an exercise well and knowing that at one point, it didn’t look that “clean.”

Just try it! You’ll be amazed at what you can accomplish in a few sessions. You’ll be amazed by how your body looks and moves with even more!