Thank you for your interest! Here are my answers, please feel free to respond via blog, email or phone with more questions.

1) Degenerated disks and Pilates. Yes, indeed one of the fundamental benefits of Pilates exercises is building a strength of the core muscles, which include conditioning abdominal as well as deep back muscles. In fact, Pilates exercises do not just strengthen those muscles. They help gaining awareness of “forgotten muscles” and develop proper patterns of movement which is essential for the health of the back. They also help balancing the muscles through natural movements (e.g. stretching as well as strengthening). Usually, it is not just a weakness but also misalignment and poor awareness which is causing trouble. So you are definitely on the right track.

However, if you have acute problems and plan to see a physical therapist, I would strongly recommend to avoid group classes for now. Instead start with personal Pilates sessions until you build strength and learn fundamentals. Personal sessions are performed using Pilates equipment with all necessary adjustments. There are a lot of details that may make a huge difference for any beginner, especially with pre-existing condition like yours.

Becky, I sent you an email about specific prices. If you decide to start, we would ask for an approval from your doctor. We can also contact your doctor or physical therapist and discuss specifics. We have collaborated with doctors in the past and it makes a huge difference.

Once you build your strength, develop body awareness and learn fundamentals, more options may be available such as semi-private and triplet sessions (as low as $40 per session). Once you become more advanced you may be able to supplement private sessions with some group classes on the mat.

2) Does it also help with weight? Pilates is not a weight-loss system. It is not considered a cardiovascular activity. However, given your situation, it may be indeed the best option for the following reasons:

a) Pilates exercises help toning the muscles. People usually feel as if they lost weight even if they do not actually “shed pounds”. It is known to “shed inches” rather than “pounds”. In addition to muscle toning (especially stomach and legs), Pilates are lengthening exercises. It is all about posture and alignment and length. So people usually feel and look as if they transform themselves. That is in fact how Pilates became popular among Hollywood stars, 60 years after it was introduced as a prevention and rehabilitation method! And in the process just like any consistent exercise, you can lose some weight too. For example, if you do not exercise now at all, doing Pilates will certainly help lose some weight too.

b) For a person with injuries, Pilates is considered the safest form of physical activity (if done properly). Therefore, given all options for weight loss, and considering that you should probably avoid aerobic, jogging and other high impact activities, you may find Pilates to be the most appealing for of exercise. Of course, we believe that diet is still the most important factor.

Please let us know if you have any other questions or specific requests. We would also be more than happy to setup an appointment to discuss more details if you like.

Best Regards,
Mark and Olga.

Thanks,

Becky Kortvely

Regards,
Mark.

I was doing software engineering since I was 16 years old (I am 32 now), and turned out to be naturally very good at it. However, sometimes I feel that I should have become a doctor. I also came from a very diverse family (doctor/engineers/scientists and … musician). Too late to become a doctor for me. But through fitness & wellness practice and Occupational Therapy, I could still help others even more than a doctor. However, I still have to study for a few years in order to get a license in US. In US, from 2007, you have to have a Master Degree in Occupational Therapy in order to practice officially. But as a fitness/Pilates instructor, I can still help many rehab clients using Occupational Therapy approach. There were also special circumstances that inspired me to try Pilates first and then explore OT field.

I also tried to create a software in this area a few years ago. Had to terminate due to family/health and many other reasons. The best I can do now is to find a way to combine 2 careers. So far I find an overlap in some elements of Psychology. I may find more overlap if I get into marketing, social networking and biotech.

Please let’s stay in touch!
Mark.