March 2015 Client of the Month: Hecky H.

What prompted you to begin Pilates? I have been suffering from chronic back pain for most of my adulthood. After trying chiropractic care and physical therapy, my back doctor suggested I give Pilates a try. How many years have you been practicing Pilates? It has only been 10 months but I went from practicing Pilates once a week to three times a week now! What are some of the most influential or important reasons you continue with your Pilates practice? Pilates has really helped me control my back pain but I now also really enjoy the workout as well as the studio. It allows me to counter the negative effects of having a desk job and sometimes having to work long hours. I try to spread the word about the benefits of Pilates whenever I can! How has Pilates effected your life? Pilates has truly changed my life. I haven't visited my back doctor for the past 10 months and Pilates has greatly increased my body awareness. It is truly a therapeutic workout for me with many other benefits! What is your favorite Pilates exercise? and why? I love the basic back extension because it feels great!

What prompted you to begin Pilates? As a cyclist, I'd been reading about strengthening the core to stay strong on the bike. Pilates was mentioned as an alternative to a basic club fitness class. I saw Amy's studio, met Amy and gave it a try. Loved Pilates, Amy and her studio from the first session. How many years have you been practicing Pilates? Since 2003. I remember the chiropractic office space and that Caetano (Amy’s son) was an infant when I began. So, 13 years? What are some of the most influential or important reasons you continue with your Pilates practice? Pilates helps me FEEL strong and resilient. I was working as a ski instructor in 2007 when I had low back, herniated disk issues. Through PT and Pilates, I rehabbed my back. It feels better than ever now. If I skip, I begin to feel flabby and I much prefer strong and resilient. How has Pilates effected your life? I've made friends through Pilates and I've brought friends to Pilates. In addition to helping me stay strong "in body and on the bike," the instructors at Pilates Denver Studio have helped me feel strong in life, building self­confidence which recently helped me triumph over a cancer diagnosis. The connections with people through my Pilates connections have created an invaluable support network. What is your favorite Pilates exercise? and why? Short Spine Massage ­ because it feels so good!

What prompted you to begin Pilates? I was looking for an excercise program that could help me maintain my flexibility and strengthen my core. When Debra Kogut mentioned Pilates, I knew I found the workout that fits me. How many years have you been practicing Pilates? It will be 10 months on January 17th! What are some of the most influential or important reasons you continue with your Pilates practice? The things that keep me going are the exercises that are still challenging to me. It gets me excited when I see an actual progress when I am able to do some of the exercises that I was not able to do in the beginning. How has Pilates effected your life? Pilates has helped me feel stronger; I am more physically active and that makes me a happier person. Just ask my husband and my kids! What is your favorite Pilates exercise? and why? I love the Roll Over. I am still not perfect at it but each time I do the Roll Over, it massages my back and I love the feel of having more control over my body the more I practice.

What prompted you to begin Pilates? Some years ago I was living in Boulder and working full time in Denver leaving me with little time to stay in shape. A friend encouraged me to consider Pilates. So glad she did. How many years have you been practicing Pilates? On and off for 20 years. Mostly on. What are some of the most influential or important reasons you continue with your Pilates practice? I truly think Pilates keeps my body strong, agile and more comfortable. The exercises push me to use my body well, thus minimizing the effects of aging and osteoarthritis. How has Pilates effected your life? I have had two knee and two hip replacements. I prepared for the surgeries with Pilates; and, as soon as possible, resumed Pilates. Pilates was a blessing. What is your favorite Pilates exercise? and why? Do love that figure four stretch. Hmmmm!

What prompted you to begin Pilates? My wife Bernadine was working here as a Massage Therapist at the time. I was having back pain from working, and she thought it would help. So I started working with Monica and I've been working out ever since. How many years have you been practicing Pilates? Six years. What are some of the most influential or important reasons you continue with your Pilates practice? After a car accident in 2010, I needed to rehab my back, shoulder, and ankles. Pilates helped me heal all of those things. Now, it just makes me feel better overall. How has Pilates effected your life? I'm now more flexible than I was twenty years ago. My back and ankles are healed and stronger than they have been. My weekly appointments with Suzie keep my back free from pain. What is your favorite Pilates exercise? and why? I don't know that I have a favorite exercise. When Suzie isn't turning me into a pretzel, I guess I enjoy working with that exercise working with the gondola pole and balance. It has really helped tremendously. (or just overall stretching.)

What prompted you to begin Pilates? I felt like I needed to increase my flexibility and wanted to work on my core strength. How many years have you been practicing Pilates? I have been practicing Pilates for a little over a year now. What are some of the most influential or important reasons you continue with your Pilates practice? I feel like I have a better sense of all my muscle groups since starting Pilates. My flexibility has definitely improved­­this has really impacted my ability to run without pain. I also feel my overall level of fitness has increased. How has Pilates effected your life? It has improved my flexibility, my balance, and I think it will have a long­lasting impact on my general health. What is your favorite Pilates exercise? and why? Tough question. Leg/Hip work on the Reformer. It creates a range of motion that equipment in a standard gym could not replicate.

What prompted you to begin Pilates? I was intrigued about building core strength. Throughout my youth I studied ballet and Pilates offered a similar level of body muscle and alignment awareness. How many years have you been practicing Pilates? Almost 11 years ago!!! What are some of the most influential or important reasons you continue with your Pilates practice? I began taking classes because I wanted to build strength and flexibility. I continue with Pilates practice to retain the strength and flexibility that I have. I enjoy walking and doing other weight- bearing/cardio exercise but Pilates engages muscles and helps me maintain correct alignment in ways that those other forms of exercise do not. I know no matter how tired or tight I feel when I walk into class, I will feel significantly better when I leave. I also enjoy the instructors and people I have met in the classes at Pilates Denver which serves as a critical social element that gets me to class on Monday mornings! How has Pilates effected your life? I credit my Pilates experience for a successful recovery from hip surgery in 2013 to repair a torn labrum. I also hear Amy1s voice in my head in my daily life reminding me to engage correct muscles and to check my alignment! Pilates is a fully integrated part of my life. What is your favorite Pilates exercise? and why? I enjoy the exercises that provide great opportunities to stretch and any that include back extension.

What prompted you to begin Pilates? My wife has been doing Pilates for about 15 years and after teasing her about it for most of our marriage, I tried it and figured out that the reformer is a pretty cool device that appealed to my mechanical nature. After a few sessions with Jean, I was hooked! How many years have you been practicing Pilates? I've only been doing Pilates for a few months, really; actually 9 months! What are some of the most influential or important reasons you continue with your Pilates practice? It's a great way to start my morning and it's nice to challenge myself with more difficult exercises and with a variety of instructors. Plus, it's fun to see Jean every Tuesday. She's cool. How has Pilates effected your life? It's given me something to look forward to a couple mornings during the week. I've got a bit of structure and something that I have to plan for. What is your favorite Pilates exercise? and why? I'm a big fan of the roll down. I love it because it's the start and the finish to the session; sort of a gauge of how I'm doing. I start out all stiff and miserable and when I'm done I feel the benefits of the past hour. There are days when I really wish I could have stayed in bed, but after that final roll down I can feel that I've accomplished something that a lot of people miss out on. I'm heading to work feeling relaxed while others are stiff and bitter.

What prompted you to begin Pilates? Back surgery. I was advised by a physical therapist that Pilates would be beneficial for me. How many years have you been practicing Pilates? Since August, 2012 What are some of the most influential or important reasons you continue with your Pilates practice? I believe it is good for my health and well being. How has Pilates effected your life? It keeps me strong and flexible as much as I can be and it helps me regulate my blood sugar. What is your favorite Pilates exercise? and why? Side Stretch on the Wunda Chair. I just like the stretch it gives me! ☺