My Personal Pilates Story

The first time I was on a reformer was life changing. I was 9 years old and I had sprained my ankle in ballet class. I began receiving physical therapy for my injury. The physical therapy clinic had a pilates instructor working alongside them and they thought I would benefit from it. I will never forget the first time I experienced the incredible use of my deep abdominal muscles. I began strengthening my leg muscles without the ankle pain.  That experience clearly changed my life.
​
As I continued the intense ballet training, so did my chronic pain and injuries. I sought out pilates studios in New York City, Seattle, and San Francisco. The pilates exercise method not only encouraged healing of my injuries, but made me a better dancer.  It inspired so much hope for me at times when I felt my dream of professional dancing was suffering.

After 20 years of working as a physical therapist, I continue to be in awe of the work of Joseph Pilates & the radical change this method of movement can have on people's lives. I am forever grateful now that my dancing career was short-lived, because ultimately becoming a pilates-based physical therapist is one of the most rewarding aspects of my life.

"Change happens through movement, and movement heals."
-Joseph Pilates

​Ariel Lehaitre
Pilates Santé Owner & Physical Therapist