From Couch Potato to Pilates Nerd….(or how I exercise lying down!)

When it comes to exercise everyone has their thing, right? It may just take some time - in my case a long time - to find it.

To be honest, growing up, I never really liked exercise. At school in England I was a mediocre member of various teams but would always rather have been doing something else – just about anything else. Charging up and down a muddy hockey field in driving rain, with an overzealous coach yelling “SHOOT!", was not my idea of fun. And what about those compulsory cross country runs? To this day I can come out in hives just thinking about them.

As I grew up, enjoyment of exercise continued to elude me. I comforted myself with the thought that I was clearly built for comfort, not for speed. I remained allergic to the gym, terrified I would drown in the pool, the weak link in any impromptu team game – cricket (yes, it’s a sport) rounders (it’s like softball), netball (defies explanation) – they just weren’t meant for me.

We moved to New York and had our son. As he became an unfeasibly large toddler and tantrums took hold it became clear that, should it be necessary, I was incapable of wrestling him to the ground.

I was struck by a horrible realization: I simply had to build some strength. I didn’t want bulging muscles or to run a marathon, I just wanted to be fit for everyday life as an active mom.

I’d heard that something called Pilates focused on core strength and the next week I signed up. Initially I liked it – not least because you can exercise lying down. How great is that? I took classes, and more classes and my strength grew. I added private sessions, and honestly that’s when I got hooked. Talented teachers were able to hone in on my specific weaknesses and begin to iron out the imbalances in my body that prevented me from standing straight, caused chronic hip pain and left me constantly exhausted.

The last 15 years have brought amazing changes. I have new flexibility, a better spine and I kicked that hip pain to the curb! I love what Pilates has given me. And it’s time to pay it forward. Now comprehensively certified as a Pilates teacher, I relish working with clients of all ages and abilities. From tennis players and golfers who want to improve balance and mobility to new moms getting back into shape. From energetic teens to 80 year-olds keen to remain active. From exercise junkies to those who would rather be doing almost anything else.

Stretchy pants, lying down, a sunny studio….what could be better? Come try it!

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