More than Testimonials, these are actual client Success Stories...
(we've chosen to keep them anonymous to protect our clients privacy)
" Pilates isn’t just exercise…it’s powerful medicine! "
“Poor Posture”
A lovely young woman came into the studio to begin Pilates lessons, with a goal to join our Pilates Group Classes. She reports that she spends a large part of the day
hunched over a computer with the upper back rounded forward, her head
protruding forward with her shoulders rounded. She is concerned that her
“poor posture” may become a habitual posture that follows her around through
life. She also complains of numbness and tingling in her arms and hands and
pain and discomfort across the upper back and neck.
How We Helped: Steve and Laura carefully designed a Pilates program to help bring greater awareness to her posture, strengthening muscles that may have become lengthened and weak and lengthening those that had become tight. As this client’s posture improved, the numbness and tingling in her arms went away, her tension headaches resolved, and she even regained a few inches of height!
“Bone Loss ~ Osteoporosis”
A lovely petite woman came into the studio interested in joining our Pilates Group Classes. She reported that her doctor did a bone density test and that she had significant bone loss. Her doctor put her on medication and encouraged her to do weight bearing exercise. Not a fan of the gym, she decided to check out Pilates with us. She also reported spending a large part of the day seated a computer and reported some low back pain and her posture was out of alignment.
How We Helped: After visiting us three times per week for a year (twice for Pilates equipment classes and once for Gyrokinesis class) her doctor performed a follow up test. Her bone density was now so good that her doctor was able to take her off of the medication. She attributes the majority of this major shift to her Pilates and Gyro practice with us. She also now reports that she uses the skills she has learned in her movement classes to help her around the house, in the garden, and enjoying life in general. Way to go!
“Low Back Pain”
A physician came into the studio to learn about Pilates Private Lessons. She had heard that it was helpful with posture and low back pain, yet she was cautious and skeptical. She had injured her low back, and working in the emergency room had become a painful and draining endeavor. She complained about low back pain, low energy, and poor posture.
How We Helped: Beginning with our first session, we focused on the
basic Pilates principles of Breathing, Engaging the Core, and Finding Neutral.
We practiced integrating these “simple” concepts into her life and work
routines. She phoned two days later exclaiming, “Sign me up for Life!” She
continued to explain that she had just experienced a pain-free 12 hour shift
and that she actually had energy when she got off work to enjoy living in
* * *
“Severe Neck Injury”
A client came into the studio to learn
about our Pilates for Rehab program. She was returning to "gentle" exercise after having a severe neck injury (several breaks to the vertebrae in her neck). She had received her physicians permission to work with us (our owners are licensed therapists). She had tremendous neck and back pain, very limited mobility, could not drive a car (since she could not turn her neck), and was on high doses of pain medication. She was desperately wanting a new fresh approach to health and healing.
How We Helped: After only a few private lessons (as well as a few Onsen Manual therapy sessions with Steve), she found that she could begin turning her neck without pain. Soon, her posture improved and the pain in her upper and lower back lessened. We worked on her reactions to perceived pain in her body. Working with her breath, she learned how to calm her body and mind thus allowing her body to not go into its normal acute pain response. She became increasingly aware of how her posture and habits contributed to her pain. After a few months, her doctors were able to reduce her pain medications to nearly zero (something they had said would be "impossible in her condition.") Her doctors commented that, "We don't know exactly what the folks over at the Pilates Center of Kona are doing, but whatever it is, it works! Keep it up." They actually wrote this in one of their reports to her insurance company!
This client has now nearly full mobility of her neck, is driving again, and has even gotten a job (all things that were in the "never" column of her life list).
* * *
“An Inability to Focus”
A senior
client came into the studio to learn
about our Pilates Private Lessons with a focus on specific health concerns. She had always wanted to learn a mind-body form of exercise because of it's touted benefit of "calming and focusing the mind." She had been "diagnosed" with ADHD and depression. Her psychiatrist referred her to us (Laura specifically) for stress relief (due to Laura's background as both a movement/meditation instructor and as a trained psychotherapist).
“The Big Fish”
A spunky woman in her 40s came into the studio interested in how Pilates could help her age more gracefully. She reported that her work was hard physically, and she was beginning to feel its affects on her body. (She has a house cleaning business.) She spoke of back pain, a sluggish mid-section, and headaches. She was also an avid fisherwoman. After only a few weeks of Pilates she felt so good she decided to enter the Wahine Billfish Tournament here in Kailua-Kona. And, she won! She pulled in the largest billfish (marlin) the contest had seen to date. And she spoke of how well she used her core and did not hurt her back. However, her shoulder received an injury that kept her from returning to her business. Her doctors recommendation was surgery.
How We Helped: Wanting to exhaust all possible alternatives prior to making that decision she began working with Steve and Onsen Manual Therapy sessions immediately. After receiving two sessions (within the first week) she was able to return to her business with modified movements. Each week she came in for therapy (twice a week and then once a week). And each week she got better. At the end of 3 months, she was pain and symptom free. AND she has a huge fish story to tell everyone about. Way to go!
“Big Wave Rider”
A young professional surfer came into the studio interested in how he could build and gain core strength while undergoing rehab for a broken ankle. This very athletic young man was concerned that he would lose his competitive edge on the big waves (Pipeline, etc.) if he got out of shape. He also reported that the year prior, another pro surfer had been out for a year with a major hamstring injury. This surfer returned to the pro circuit winning his first big wave competition and attributed his strength to the core conditioning he had done while his hamstring healed. This young man wanted to do the same.
How can we help You?
The goal of any Pilates and GYROTONIC program is to rebalance the muscles
around each joint and restore the body to an optimal level of
postural stability and functional mobility. Many of us create less than
ideal postures or movement patterns based on our habits or daily activities. Our therapist/instructors have specialized training to assess both dynamic and static
postures; assess flexibility, muscular weakness and strength; understand complex injury patterns and treatment; as well as lifestyle habits to determine the best programming options for each individual
to help these imbalances or dysfunctions.
Allow us to design a well-rounded program that focuses energy on all sides of your joints – including your spine – so your body begins to move more efficiently and optimal health and vitality can be achieved.
Many of us have forgotten the joy of easy movement. We neglect our own needs and blame the results on aging. Aches, stiffness and loss of muscle tone are due to lack of use or improper use not the years. You can build muscle, improve posture, and make positive changes at any age.
In our Clients own words...
-- Mary Lou S.
"Dear Laura and Steve,
We have discussed the fact that I was
diagnosed with osteopenia (at the far end of the mid-zone between normal bone
strength and osteoporosis) a little over three years ago. This condition
was not really surprising as it is common, especially in small-boned,
petite, and post-menopausal women. My physician at the time
prescribed Actonel, a bone-strengthening prescription medication, increased
calcium supplements, and regular physical exercise. He specifically
prescribed walking as a physical exercise and commented that Pilates would not
suffice referring to it as a
"stretching" exercise. Obviously, he has never
taken Pilates. For three years I took the medication
religiously, the calcium not so religiously, and added an extra day of Pilates
so that I was regularly participating in Pilates or GYROKINESIS classes three times a week.
A recent comparative bone density scan showed
that I have regained bone density within a few percentage points from
"normal" and can discontinue the bone medication while
maintaining the calcium intake and physical exercise. Of course, if the
bone density again deteriorates, I can resume the medication for a while but it
at least gives the physical body a break from the potential side effects of the
medication.
Although I began Pilates to maintain strength and
flexibility before the osteopenia diagnosis, I consider this
good news as yet another benefit of Pilates and wanted to relate to you what is
essentially a continuing success story. Thanks for these good years and I
look forward to many more."
--Barbara H.
"I have
suffered with severe back pain for over 15 years. I have felt as if my life was
taken away because of the pain. I have seen chiropractors, pain doctors,
surgeons (I've had several surgeries), physical therapists, and massage
therapists. All have given some temporary relief. Now I'm learning Pilates. I'm
learning to use different muscles to move properly. This is taking the strain
off the back muscles, tendons, vertebrae and discs that cause my pain. I have
had physical therapy exercises prescribed before, but I never seemed to keep
doing them on my own. Now I understand what is actually happening in my body
with the Pilates exercises. And I can feel the results. I am doing my Pilates exercises
every day. If I practice my Pilates movements daily, I keep my back pain in
check. Working with Laura at The
-- David E.
"I work
in the hospitality industry. Several years ago I hurt my back at work. I saw
the doctor, received medication for the pain, and was sent to physical therapy.
Yet my back pain still persisted pretty severely. Now I am doing Pilates. In
the first month of Pilates lessons with Laura and Steve my back pain decreased
to where it was hardly noticeable. I cannot believe the difference this has
made in the quality of my life. Thank you!"
-- Pamela D.
"As a
professional athlete, I thought my body was strong and flexible. A friend
suggested that I try Pilates because I had broken my ankle and could not train
in my regular sport (professional surfing). I began working with Laura and
Steve at The Pilates Center of Kona. Wow. What a difference
this has made in my body...and my performance on my board. Thank you!"
-- Ayako M.
"I work
in a high stress job. The breathing techniques that I learned from Laura in our
Yoga Therapy lessons alone have really helped me. The breathing helps me to
stay focused and reduce my stress. And the physical practice of Yoga has really
helped me reduce the physical affects of stress on my body. I am sleeping
better, feeling better, and I am more happy than I have been in years! Namaste
and Mahalo for everything!"
-- Jessica L.
"The gift
of yoga and body awareness that I have received from Laura is a joy to
experience. Thank you for being a true teacher."
-- Lisa K.
"Laura:
You are a beautiful person, strong & wise. You are a great teacher. Thanks
for all you have shared with us. Most of all, you are an inspiration. It's
incredible to see someone living in dharma and making their dreams coming true.
May much more joy come to you in the years to come."
--
"Dear
Laura,
I wonder if you can really imagine the full & very powerful impact you have
had on me, in spirit, mind and body. Like you've said before, seeds have been
planted and my garden is looking very rich and fertile. I'm healthy now! The
gifts you have offered me in, in my experience, are nothing short of profound
and I feel extremely blessed. I love being around you and you are so beautiful
inside & out. I offer you my deepest gratitude and appreciation and my love
as your friend always."
-- Denise D.
"Steve,
You have the most amazing massage hands. Thank you for your gentle, yet
powerful touch. The pain in my shoulder is gone! Thank you again!"
-- Sandra I.
"Steve,
I really thought that the pain in my shoulder was going to last my whole
lifetime. In two sessions you not only educated me as to what was happening in
my shoulder, you relieved the shoulder pain itself. I can now work and not be
in pain or on pain medication. Thank you. I will never forget this."
-- Phyllis S.
