When I begin teaching Pilates in 1995 it was not widely known. But those who did know about it knew that it was wonderful for older people and people with back problems and other pain and injuries.
Now in the unfortunate Instagram era the ideas about Pilates have changed and not really for the better. People see images of young and impossibly fit people doing Pilates. Pictures of trim, fit bodies in extreme positions abound. I’ve heard many people say “Oh, I could never do Pilates!” and it breaks my heart. Because everyone can do Pilates!
I have taught people who were in a wheelchair. People who were elderly and had difficulties with mobility. People of all sizes, many whom thought they couldn’t exercise or did not feel comfortable setting foot in a gym. People who have had multiple back surgeries and gotten no results. These are the people that Pilates is for!
I’m not interested in weight loss or telling anyone how they should look. And after seeing many people who while “fit” looking, were in chronic pain and using diet and fitness in extremely unhealthy ways, I don’t judge a body by how it looks. I’m interested in how a body moves. And not in an extreme, showing off with advanced exercises way. More of a functional movement, how do you feel, are you able to move through your life the way you want to way.
If you’re goals are to “tone up”, “slim down” or other cosmetic changes based goals I don’t judge that either. But the work we do will focus on movement and development of healthy strength, flexibility, stability and mobility. Cosmetic changes will be a by product of that work. And as someone who has been “fit” looking and in chronic pain from professional dance training, I can tell you that feeling good and being pain free are much more important to quality of life than having toned triceps!
The bottom line is that Pilates is not about how you look or what “shape” you are in. We are all human shaped. And we all need movement for our bodies to function and thrive. I’m here to help you discover the potential your body has for movement. I’m here to help you find out how healing and empowering movement can be. And I’m here to help you feel capable and good in your body. You don’t need to look any certain way. You don’t need to be “fit”, “athletic” or even coordinated! Whatever your “shape” or your goals I’m here to help you. Pilates is for you.
Solara Pilates 