Life is strange and you can go through things you don't understand until you realize it brings you to a place you love. Never thought that a fall off a 17 hand horse (broken pelvis in 2 spots, nerve damage right leg, and a 6 hour back surgery) would change my life for the better.
My very talented surgeon, Dr. Stephen Schlopper, did a fantastic job on my L4 L5 back fusion, plus the rods and screws for my spondylolisthesis. That wasn't the best thing he did f or me. What was the best was telling me to take Pilates Lessons.
We moved to Northern California about that time and I started looking for Pilates Classes. There was a resort just a mile down the road from us that had Pilates. We joined the gym at the resort and I went to take my first Pilates Class. Tina, the instructor, was very kind and knowledgeable. So I started my first class and was wondering what was I doing there? It was so foreign to me and I even left that first class early. However, I did go back.
Over time, I learned that Pilates was not just core strength, but also focuses on stability in the body and control, as well as balance and posture. I found that my body was feeling better, that I was standing taller, and had a sense of general well being. I also realized that some of the movements involved your brain, making it a true mind-body exercise.
After 5 years, I decided to become a Mat Instructor. I received my first certification in mat instruction in 2013. I was teaching in Southern California and after moving to Tennessee, I found Patty Yoga who let me rent space at the Balanced You Studio. A couple years later, I met Allison Butler who had a reformer and I started taking lessons from her and realized that I needed to be certified with the apparatus. I started my apparatus journey in 2018 working with Bambi Watt. Bambi trained with Ramona who worked with Joseph Pilates.
Today, I expect my certification to be complete by the end of the year. I have about a dozen clients who know the benefits that Pilates gives them. Balance, posture, clothes fitting better and feeling stronger are the comments I hear.
Joseph Pilates was a true miracle worker and I am proof of that.
If you have any questions feel free to email me at susiekaplar@gmail.com, or on facebook, Pilates With Susie. If you are curious and want to see the apparatus, let me know and I will give you a "tour" of the studio.
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