An Inspiring Personal Story
Here’s an inspiring story to lift your spirits ..and exactly the reason to do Pilates at any age ..and keep active, strong, resilient and useful!
Pictures show my mum (82…she will hate me for that!!), doing Pilates and striding out on Brittas Bay Beach in Wicklow over the summer. Very active, independent and has done Pilates for as long as I have which is over 22 years. Does a decent squat, and can definitely balance on one leg pretty well.
Roll on a few weeks, she fell and fractured her hip. Hospitalised for a week, Total Hip Replacement done.
Flip!
Here's the good bit...
4 weeks post-op and she is unbelievable.
Rehabilitation from day one included exercises she already knew, Bridging/Leg Slides/Balance work/Weight transfer/Mini Squats…plus lots of upper body work ( need those arms strong when legs need a helping hand). Muscle memory kicked in and progress was quick. Guts and determination helped too...
After staying with me for two weeks she is home again, tackling her stairs several times a day, standing in the shower, using one crutch when needed, and quite frankly bored stupid. Desperate to get into a bath (l won't let her yet..too early!) and itching to get out and about. Managed a garden centre today.
In hospital she was called ‘Legend’ when they heard she did weekly Pilates...made me appreciate how amazing so many of our studio36 clients are. We are lucky to have loads of clients in their 60s/70s/80s and even 90s. That is something we are so passionate about.
There was a feature on ‘This Morning’ program yesterday about exercise for the over 65’s. To be honest the exercise routine was pretty tame, chair stretches for the upper body mainly. However the Doctor involved in giving advice did emphasise the huge importance of the Quadriceps (thigh muscles) to assist in rising from a chair. HAPPY DAYS. (Didn't mention Gluts but you can't have everything)...You wonder why we teach endless Squats, Balance exercises and 4 point kneeling hinges etc. Sit to stand...to sit. So important. You lose that, you lose independence.
Pilates makes you fit and resilient for life. This journey of Mums has totally inspired me as a teacher and reinforced the huge benefit of Pilates for independence. Retain function. Keep those Movement Snacks going.
Be the best version of yourself you can be...!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS...Ali x