Celebrating Success!!

Originally posted on February 27, 2013:

Today’s blog is one of celebration! As a Pilates instructor there is nothing that I LOVE more than celebrating the success of my clients. I’m hoping that by sharing this wonderful, inspirational story someone will be given the hope and inspiration to believe in themselves and continue pursuing their own health journey!

Today we are celebrating Su, one of our faithful Rivercity Pilates clients, being able to do the Swan using the push through bar on the Cadillac. This exercise is a challenging, advanced Pilates exercise that is not accessible to many people, for a variety of reasons. It requires a flexible spine, strong abdominal muscles, open hips, and shoulders with a fairly large range of flexibility and movement.

Su(Center)

Two years ago, when I first met Su, she couldn’t even move her left arm above her head to place her hands onto the push through bar. Su is surviving stage 3 Melanoma and has been cancer-free since October 5, 2010. She underwent surgery that removed the melanoma and lymph nodes in her left arm, much like the surgery done when someone has breast cancer that spreads into the lymph nodes.

It was clear from the first time that I met Su that she was inspired to not let this health problem get the best of her! Although she had limitations in her left arm and shoulder, we were able to modify exercises and continue to work towards regaining Su’s strength and flexibility.

I was looking back at her chart and saw that on September 15, 2011 I had noted with an exclamation point that Su was able to not only get her hands on the bar, but could perform an exercise we call Baby Bird Wings. We often use Baby Bird Wings and a straight-arm version of Swan to strengthen the body and work on flexibility as a preparation for the full Swan. It was clear that Su’s dedication to her twice weekly Pilates sessions was really making a difference in her recovery.

Looking at Su today, you might never guess what she’s been through and you probably wouldn’t even notice a big difference in her strength and mobility of her left arm and shoulder. As an instructor though, I remember where she started and am always in awe of the amazing strides she has made.

I always try to keep challenging clients and take them to the next level and Su is a shining example of continuing to progress through the Pilates work. Su’s strong, flexible core muscles and balanced musculature have allowed her to continually increase her range of motion on many exercises and she continues to advance to more challenging exercises and movements.

Which brings us to the Swan on the Cadillac. This week during a private session I introduced Su to the full Swan, suggesting she just start to try it and see how it feels (stopping if there was any pain or restriction). Before I knew it she was flowing through the exercise and it was beautiful!

What a huge milestone to go from not being able to lift your arm over your head to performing an advanced exercise that requires fluid, controlled movement of both arms overhead! Su is a true example of Empowering Your Body!

I know that being part of her journey has inspired my life and I hope it will do the same for you!

Read more about Su’s story in her Inspiration of the Month interview.

If Su’s story inspired you, be sure to share the inspiration and click like to let Su know!