What I can do now... Stories from my clients

I've had a number of clients tell me things they can do now that they couldn't do before they started Pilates with me. To me, this is the best feedback I can get about your class. I teach Pilates because I want to help clients move better. I give you exercises that are designed to make your day-to-day life pain-free and a bit easier!

Here are 5 stories that show me how Pilates has changed some of your lives.

I can now put my jeans on standing on one leg. I don't have to lie down anymore.

This is huge. I know that I take it for granted that I can put my jeans on one-legged. But you need balance, core strength and leg/ankle strength and mobility to do this. So the client that can do this now, know that I am proud of you! You've worked hard for this achievement and it's great that your dedication to Pilates has seen such wonderful results.

I get off my child's bed when they have fallen asleep just using my abs and not using my arms.

Agh, nothing like trying not to wake up a child after they fall asleep next to you. Hats off to this client for her strong abs! The exercise Plank on the reformer is a tough one. Many of you dislike this exercise (I can read your mind) but I do have a method to my madness. Strong abdominal muscles are essential - not just for getting out of kids bedrooms by stealth.

I can do a whole day of gardening and not have a sore back the next day.

To my fellow garden lover, I hear you. My fight with an eggplant bush is what got me into Pilates in the first place (if you are confused by this comment, check out my earlier blog "Eggplant: the reason I started Pilates"). We all want to have a strong back at any age and do the things we love. I'm really glad Pilates is helping you tend to your garden.

My golf buddies tell me my game has improved.

Yes! Rotation work in Pilates is great for the spine but even better to improve your golf swing. One of the reasons I like to chat to clients about their daily life is because if I know what you do, I can help you move better. So any client that plays golf gets extra rotational exercises to improve their mobility for their game.

I don't need to pick up my leg to do simple tasks anymore - the muscles are now strong enough

This is one of my proudest moments as an instructor. One of my clients had an operation when they were younger and the leg muscles deteriorated. Over time, it meant this client would need to physically lift their leg getting out of bed, into the car and other simple daily movements that you and I take for granted. I've recently noticed how much stronger this person is and they don't pick up their leg anymore! The muscles are so much stronger and it's because of their consistency with their Pilates practice and working hard. I am very proud of this person, you know who you are.

All of these statements really made me reflect on HOW people benefit from Pilates. Every person's journey is different. Whether it's a sore back from too much office/computer work, working on balance or another issue, Pilates is about functional movement. So let me continue to help you move better.

Till next time Wellspringers,

Holly xx