Inspiration of the Month Audrey O’Hara

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audrey october iom
When did you start Pilates and what inspired you to start?
 
Heather (Thorpe) was talking to me about the Pilates studio and said she needed a person to come in for her training and then my hair designer, Ari Bult, was talking about it a day later and so I decided to try it out and started working out with Heather. I was very very sore after my sessions with Heather in the first weeks and realized that I needed help to get my health back in order. The more I went, the better I felt, and the more I craved it. People noticed a change in me in regards to my posture, strength, and my new found love for Pilates movements in general. I have not stopped recommending it to everyone since! I believe Pilates will be a way of life for me now. LOVE IT!!!
 
What benefits have you seen by committing to a regular Pilates practice? 
 
I have a lot more stamina and flexibility and love seeing my progress. I do not want to grow older without making some kind of effort to take care of myself and my own well being.
Do you have a favorite exercise or piece of equipment (or both)?
 
Jackknife has become one of my favorites because I can feel myself getting my spine in realignment without the help of anyone else. My balance has also improved tremendously. It is now a lifestyle change for me that I plan on doing for a lifetime. It has really enhanced the quality of my life and now I cannot live without Pilates!
(Audrey’s demonstrating jackknife in the photo above.)
What would you say to someone thinking about starting Pilates?
 
I would recommend to anyone who is interested in Pilates to try private sessions first to get the movements down before trying classes. I think the one-on-one is very beneficial before trying classes. You won’t regret it!
 

Pilates Inspiration Denise

denise

When did you start Pilates and what inspired you to start?

I started Pilates in June of 2013.  Katie Wera, the Cancer Care Coordinator from Mercy Hospital in Iowa City was my inspiration.  Ms. Wera is a dedicated and hard working cancer care coordinator who is truly concerned about her patients.

Soon after my bi-lateral mastectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation treatments to treat breast cancer, I hired a personal trainer to help me regain strength, flexibility, and the full range of motion in my arms and shoulders.  My trainer’s main focus was on my weight.

After working with the trainer for one year I was getting discouraged because I was recovering from my third injury from working out with her.  In addition, my range of motion, strength, and flexibility was not improving significantly despite working out three to five times a week with her.

Katie suggested that I try Pink Ribbon Pilates at Rivercity Pilates in North Liberty, Iowa.

What benefits have you seen by committing to a regular Pilates practice?

My flexibility and range of motion are back to normal.  My strength is almost back to normal and I have lost 35 pounds.  In addition, my coordination, balance, core strength, and self-esteem have improved.

Do you have a favorite exercise or piece of equipment (or both)?

My favorite thing about Pink Ribbon Pilates is… I look forward to going.  Additionally, Pink Ribbon Pilates is geared specifically for recovering Breast Cancer patients.

Carey is very knowledgeable about what is safe and appropriate for her recovering cancer patients to do.  Carey is also enthusiastic and motivating. She has the ability to give me the confidence to try any exercise.  As soon as I can easily do an exercise she challenges me by making it harder in an effort to improve my strength, flexibility, range of motion, and balance.

What would you say to a cancer survivor who is thinking about doing Pilates?

I would highly recommend Pink Ribbon Pilates, at Rivercity Pilates.  Carey has helped me empower my new body and inspired my life.

 

Learn more about our Pink Ribbon program for breast cancer survivors by clicking here!

Rivercity Pilates Inspiration of the Month – Kelly Allen

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Kelly Allen

When did you start Pilates and what inspired you to start?

 My initial reason to try Pilates in March 2013 was for stress relief, not fitness. I usually run, walk, bike, and lift weights. I wanted to do something I had never experienced that would keep me focused for an hour and would make it impossible for my mind to wander.

 

What benefits have you seen by committing to a regular Pilates practice? 

 The ability to stretch my body in ways that make it feel so much better and to have better balance. I think looking and feeling more toned and fit are the obvious benefits of most exercise, but I have never experienced the ability to stretch and have better balance with anything else.

Do you have a favorite exercise or piece of equipment (or both)?

 For me there are no favorites. I think one of the best things about Pilates is the variety.

What would you say to someone thinking about starting Pilates?

 It is one of the best investments I have ever made. I never thought I would see the changes I have seen in my body.

 

 

Pilates Inspiration – Serena

SerenaInspiration of the Month: Serena Stier (72 years old) February 2012

When did you start Pilates and what inspired you to start?   In 2007, my sister in Washington D.C. treated me to a few sessions with her Pilates trainer.  After having done weight training off and on for some eight years with a coach and managing to injure myself regularly, I decided I must switch to Pilates.

For some three years I worked with a young Pilates instructor who also taught dance.  I enjoyed feeling so much stronger and integrated and relieved that these improvements came without injury.  We work one on one swiftly.  She gave up her Pilates practice to concentrate on dance, which led me to Rivercity Pilates.

When I began at Rivercity Pilates with Carey I learned to breathe differently and move slowly at my own pace.  Imagine my delight at discovering that this kind of work seems to strengthen me even better from my core out- Thank You!

Why do you do Pilates and what are the benefits in your life?
Pilates helps me sit straight, walk more firmly and move with greater ease.  Moreover, because Carey is constantly varying what we do, I don’t get bored.  I miss it greatly when I’m away and am delighted upon my return to Pilates that “muscle memory” gets me going swiftly again.

How has Pilates changed your life?
I am much more able to pick up and move objects I would have not attempted in the past.  I delight when my husband imagines something is too heavy for me, and I manage just fine

Do you have a favorite exercise or piece of equipment?
For me, the best part of the Rivercity Pilates equipment is the variety.  The best part of the experience is my coach, Carey, who always seems to see what I’m not doing quite right and manages to correct me so gently I hardly notice.

What would you say to someone thinking about starting Pilates?
I cannot emphasize enough how important I think Pilates is for any person to gain and maintain maximum flexibility, confidence in movement, and healthy breathing regardless of their age or gender.  As someone seventy-two years of age, I especially recommend it as a preventative and antidote to the special challenges of growing older.

 

Pilates Inspiration Missy

Missy Arey IOM

Inspiration of the Month

Missy Arey

July 2013

When did you start Pilates and what inspired you to start?
 
I started in Spring 2012. I had back surgery while in high school to correct scoliosis and although I don’t have back problems, I do understand the importance of a strong core. My parents are also very elderly and in being with them, I find it extremely important to keep healthy now in order to enjoy life in my 90’s.
What was your favorite part about the Empower Your Body Challenge?
 
I saw so many changes in my own strength and flexibility. The chance to make Pilates a habit instead of a class was also a great benefit.
What benefits have you seen by committing to a regular Pilates practice? 
 
I notice the most my posture. Without thinking about it, I sit up straight and find that so much more comfortable. I also tend to keep most of my stress in my shoulders and now can identify that and think, “connect the shoulders, take your Pilates breath” and take some of that stress away.
How has Pilates improved your running?
 
Even after taking time off from running due to an injury, I find that I can pretty easily go 2-3 miles without any problems. It has helped me to regulate my breathing and my form.
Do you have a favorite exercise or piece of equipment (or both)?
 
I love the horse for the stretches it can help me with. I take advantage of it in the studio often to help make my quads and IT band more flexible.
What would you say to someone thinking about starting Pilates?
 
Pilates has made me much stronger, flexible, and balanced. There are so many positives from beginning classes with RCP that anyone would find it beneficial. The classes are small enough that Carey and Cassie are able to give each student personal attention.

Pilates Inspiration – Janee

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Janee Anderson

When did you start Pilates and what inspired you to start?

I decided to begin Pilates in 2008 because I wanted something to do to help me manage stress.  I also knew I had to work on my posturing and get my body in better physical shape.

Why do you do Pilates and what are the benefits in your life?

I do Pilates because I feel it helps me manage my health.  Because I drive for a living, my back and neck are often sore.  Pilates has helped me to understand how to do a better job in managing the toll that my work takes on my body.  I have learned to use breathing to work through my exercises.  This in turn has helped me in so many other areas of my life.  Good breathing and understanding how to posture myself helps me ALL the time-not just when I exercise!

How has Pilates changed your life?

Pilates has made me more aware ALL the time of how I stand, drive my car and how I can manage day to day activity in everything I do.  The benefits are so overall in everything I do now.

Do you have a favorite exercise or piece of equipment(or both)?

I actually like all the pieces of equipment but find that doing an intermediate/advanced mat class is the most challenging to me personally. It is a total workout for me where I am doing all of it myself. One of my favorite exercises would have to be the teaser. That exercise is challenging on the mat or any piece of equipment.  I love it!

What would you say to someone thinking about starting Pilates?

When I speak to anyone who is thinking about starting Pilates I tell them,”Do it!  It is something that will change your life and your body if you are truly committed to it.  It works the mind and the body.  For breathing, posturing and overall core strength, it is awesome no matter what your body shape or your age.”

 

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