"Change happens through movement, and movement heals."
-Joseph Pilates
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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.
By the age of 18, it was quite clear that the professional ballet career was not going to be the path I could take. I remember the day quite clearly, when my mother asked “what do you now want to do with your life?” It was an easy response, “I want to become a physical therapist, and help others heal the way by treating therapists who have supported me.”
By the age of 18, it was quite clear that the professional ballet career was not going to be the path I could take. I remember the day quite clearly, when my mother asked “what do you now want to do with your life?” It was an easy response, “I want to become a physical therapist, and help others heal the way by treating therapists who have supported me.”
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I graduated from PT school in 2002. I began working in a traditional outpatient physical therapy clinic. After I had been working for about 6 years, I clearly noticed I was continually seeing “repeat customers." Year after year, these poor patients would return with the same or similar issues or symptoms. I started to wonder why? How could we keep these patients out of pain for longer or even for good?
It seems that the traditional system doesn't allow for patients to fully heal, recover, and learn preventative care before being discharged. It felt clear to me that clients or patients needed a place to go where they could have continued healing, even when their symptoms were no longer present...and hence the birth of Pilates Santé! |
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I began seeing clients in my home after I left the PT clinic. Most of these clients had completed a lot of traditional outpatient PT, but continued to have intermittent issues with chronic conditions, such as degenerative disc disease of the spine, total hip and knee replacements, autoimmune issues, chronic migraines, and more. Pilates therapeutic movement allowed them to continue safe movement and progression of strength and mobility exercises. The common response post session was “I feel soooo good!”
Soon Pilates Santé began to grow, and I needed to move to a studio space (other than my home) and hire another teacher. This growth has steadily continued over the last 14 years!
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 so incredibly grateful for the opportunity to teach the Pilates method (which has been a part of my life and healing path since childhood) in a safe and effective way. Thank you so much to you, our Pilates Santé clients, for trusting us with your care!
