Everyone benefits from Pilates no doubt about it. But Seniors obtain a bigger bang for the buck. The gains in mobility and function from a regular pilates practice are noticeable. After a single session, clients remark on how much better they feel – taller, more stretched out, less pain from a nagging body part. It’s not in their imagination – it’s in their fascia.
As we age, it’s often the soft tissue parts of the body that experience the first signs of wear and tear. Why does your knee hurt? Because over time, repeated small injuries and stress from overuse have worn away cartilage, ligaments, tendons and fascia; all the “cushioning’ or soft tissue parts of your joint.
Why does your shoulder hurt? Because your posture has deteriorated over time and allowed the soft tissue structures to become inflamed. Heavily innervated with pain sensors, soft tissue structures are responsible for most of our chronic nagging aches. Don’t ignore the pain – it’s just creating more inflammation – do Pilates.
Stress in our joints comes from a variety of factors. Posture plays an important part and more importantly the change in our posture through the decades. Our posture responds to the shape of your body most of the time. If you sit working at a computer most of the day, the shoulders will start to round and the head juts forward. Can you prevent it? Of course! Just sit tall all day with focus on good posture (which is much easier said than done) or come to pilates. Give your body a chance to remember what it’s suppose to feel like.
Repetitive activities cause stress in the body particularly if they are unilateral. The fascia, the thick covering that surrounds and runs through all of the tissues of the body, is responsive to your movements. If you twist only to the left, the fascia will start to model itself to twist left and not so much right. This creates imbalances in the body, which in turn leads to stress on the joints. Pilates corrects this imbalance.
Fascia is like play dough. If you don’t move it and mold it everyday it gets tough, inelastic and prone to cracking. You then feel stiff and achy. Pilates is one of the best tools for combating stressed fascia. It moves the body along fascial lines and in all planes of motions to restore balance and flexibility. Movements are varied and include some plyometric or jumping type sequences to improve elasticity.
Fascia is nourished through movement. Stale water containing toxins are pushed out of the fascia as it’s compressed with pilates exercise and allows fresh water (plasma) to wash in and hydrate. Clients learn that feeling stiff and achy is a good reason to come to pilates and move, and that “resting” just makes it worse.
Pilates clears those worry tracts. It takes concentration to move your body to verbal instruction. You have to pay attention. The equipment is moving challenging balance and the sense of where your body is in space. The goal is to move with grace or scientifically stated, tune up the proprioceptors. A graceful body looks healthier and grace in movement prevents falls.
Pilates is good for every body but necessary for Seniors. Stay active and free from aches and pains with Pilates.
I have taken yoga and Pilates classes from Stephanie for many years, and I can say that she is terrific. Her background in physical medicine and rehab makes her uniquely qualified to instruct and coach with a focus in balanced strengthening, proper alignment, and prevention of injury. I enjoy the low key environment at the studio, and have made many friends in her classes.
“SDK Pilates’ yoga instructors are beyond wonderful and very reliable. Our community and hospital staff truly enjoy the classes and we are extremely thankful for their partnership with us.”
Pilates has been a wonderful experience both physically and mentally – it relieves stress and gets your body in a “can do” spirit to stretch and feel good. The instructors are the best and the people I’ve met in class are fun to be with. Friendships develop. I will do this forever!
SDK Pilates is great! So far I’ve taken Pilates classes with Steph and Nancy, and I’m looking forward to Yoga with Mark. Currently working on core strengthening, shoulder mechanics, overall conditioning, and my golf game.
I have been a client of Stephanie’s for several years. What I think makes her stand out from other studios is that she was a doctor & understands each individual clients bodies. The new studio is airy spacious & calming
My experience with SDK Pilates has been outstanding. All of the instructors have been knowledgeable and welcoming. All levels of fitness and capabilities are embraced, addressed and challenged. Individual needs are seamlessly met with in the class. Every class is different and I always walk out feeling better than when I walked in. I take Pilates twice a week and wish I could take it every day!
“Sandi and Elaine have the ability to deliver a class that meets the needs of all attendees in the class, even when there is different levels of experience.They have a great manner of presenting poses and ensure good form for a safe and enjoyable Yoga class.”
Stephanie’s class is well-paced, challenging yet welcoming for first timers and those who are more experienced. She offers seamless coaching throughout and her enthusiasm and energy is inspirational.
SDK Pilates is wonderful! I have been taking classes from Stephanie for a number of years and thoroughly enjoy both her Pilates and therapeutic yoga sessions. Her training as a doctor enables her to work around physical limitations and injuries and strengthen weaknesses. She has helped me immensely with chronic shoulder issues. The fun nature of the classes, the camaraderie of the attendees and the great workout make SDK classes my favorite way to exercise!
I love the classes and instructors at SDK Pilates! Stephanie, the owner, has been a tremendous help to me with understanding challenges I face with a bad hip. Her expertise and medical background have helped me select exercises that are appropriate for me and I have learned there are still plenty of things that I can do to strengthen my body! At other places, I sometimes overdid my workouts (and hurt myself) – SDK’s instructors have helped me increase my flexibility and strengthen my body in a s…
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.