Real Stories

For many years I had recurring low back pain, following lifting my 18 month old child out of the cot in an absent minded way during one long night! Each time it occurred I used painkillers and heat pads and adapted to the pain by not doing things that hurt. During my 30’s I developed psoriatic arthritis and began to get used of bouts of pain from that – but never really knowing exactly what pain was what. About 4 years ago I sustained a fall, during window cleaning, I only fell about 4 inches but it was backwards and over the top of a flower pot onto concrete with my head hitting a fence on the way down – yes if you are going to do it, do it properly! This left me with a badly fractured wrist and compression fractures of 4 vertebrae – and now I knew what pain was! The last 4 years I have been in and out of acute bouts of back pain which has been very debilitating and even my chiropractor could not help this time. In May 2011 I decided enough was enough. The pain killers weren’t helping much anymore and my lifestyle was becoming more and more restricted. I felt OLD and worried about the future – when at 53 I knew I should still have lots of active years ahead of me. Physiotherapy helped me to start my road to proper recovery and at the end of that they recommended I look around for a good Pilates class to continue the good work. Mary was recommended to me by various people in conversations over a number of months and finally in January 2012 I took the plunge.

Why on earth didn’t I do this before! After the first session of the Beginners’ course I knew this was my pathway to better health, and by week 3 other people were already noticing the profound difference in me.

I know I am by no means a fully-fledged Level 1 student yet but I just want to say what an incredible difference Pilates is making to my life. Absolutely everything I do is so much easier, from comfortable sleep to sitting at my desk at work. I have more confidence in my body and I am learning how to use my muscles to protect me during exercise – instead of just avoiding exercise! Everyone has noticed a difference in my posture, movement and general appearance of well-being. Many have commented that I have lost weight – which is not true but my shape has begun to change and my clothes fit me better as a result, some are now too big – a big morale booster.

I do 2 exercises from each of the 4 sheets Mary gives us on the website every morning before work (I always include PACs and Shoulder Bridge and the Quads and Ham String stretches – which really help me). It only takes about 15 minutes and it seems to give me more energy and it helps to remind my “core” what it is supposed to be doing for the rest of the day.

My husband tells me I have had a growth spurt and am now taller! The wonders of a better posture!
Most of all – I have been almost pain free since joining Mary’s classes – and now hardly ever take any painkillers apart from occasional paracetamol when I’ve overdone things. Long may that last!!!

If you are feeling uncertain of whether Pilates is for you, please be encouraged by my experiences. That first class I was terrified. I couldn’t sit comfortably on the floor, or lie on my front and was afraid that having got down onto my back on my mat I would not be able to get up again without the familiar all – consuming pain. I didn’t really want to try in case I failed – but I did try – and with Mary’s methods are unique in my experience and with her motivational words and actions spurring me on – I am on the road to success. Prayer has always been part of my morning routine and now Pilates is too. What at team!

It was some 2 years ago that I began to suffer from a back pain that resulted in 2 medical procedures and ultimately in back surgery. The procedure given to me was a dysectomy to correct a disc problem. My recovery was quite slow and I felt at an all time low due to the amount of flexibility I had lost and the lack of control the nerve damage had left in my right leg. After some 6 months of physiotherapy i had gained some movement and more flexibility but far from where I wanted to be.

After seeking advice I came across Pilates. I was a bit sceptical but gave it a go. As a middle age male I decided that I would go to some private sessions and see what it was all about. It was here that I met Mary and she introduced me to the exercises that would help. It certainly was not what I expected, no hard drive to fitness, no sweating and out of breath exercising. But some 12 months later after joining open classes I really do believe in Pilates for life. I have now gained more flexibility than I have had in 30 years, I do not suffer from the back issues that literally brought me to me knees. I have since had the confidence to go on from working with Mary and got myself fitter now than when I was in my 20′s.

If you have any issues of this nature please trust me you must give Pilates a try and just as importantly work with a professional teacher who is an expert in her field, so much of my recovery is down to my total trust in Mary.