by Lisa Snider

Created on: April 22, 2008

Grace to spare
She turned to Pilates of sheer desperation and found a life-long fitness routine in the process

With my ankles hovering over my head and my butt pointing to the ceiling, I couldn't help but wonder why I was here.

"OK, slowly exhale and use your abs to come down one vertebra at a time," the instructor implored. So, naturally, I crashed in a big thunderous heap onto the mat. To which she responded, "That's okay, we'll try it again." Yippy.

I sought out Pilates out of sheer desperation. A nagging twinge in my left scapula and neck region had steadily become a 24/7 throbbing pain the result of years of carrying a heavy purse and typing while talking on the phone with my head, neck and shoulder contorted around the handset. I switched to a small backpack, got a headset for my phone and went through a few rounds of physical therapy, but the pain persisted. I tried acupuncture, massage, visits to a chiropractor and even endured a horrific cortisone shot. Nothing worked. I was practically begging for surgery when I found Pilates, the revolutionary exercise brought to the United States by Joseph Pilates in the '20s.

Having tried yoga and suffered through a series of "ohms" and pretzel-tying poses, I was skeptical. Yoga was too contemplative for me and, as a devout, eye-rolling cynic, I was sure Pilates was just another form of it. Besides, I like to giggle at myself and all the patchouli-stinking heavy breathers around me and yoga was having none of that.

I started with a beginner group class in mat Pilates, because it was cheap and I could go on my lunch hour. I found that although Pilates borrows a few poses here and there from yoga, it's much more dynamic. The body flows in constant motion, with the focus on the core muscle groups at all times. For me, strengthening the core, the muscles supporting the torso, really became key. And, like yoga, there is a definite mind-body connection, but it is more practical than spiritual. As with any exercise, staying in the moment yields greater success and Pilates helps you learn to make that connection.

After about a year on the mat each week, I worked in another group class on a contraption known as a reformer. With springs and straps and a cushioned moving carriage for the body, it looks like something Masters and Johnson might have used in their laboratory. But it's really an all-encompassing exercise machine that adds stability and resistance.

Admittedly, there can be a bit of an intimidation factor. Not everyone is comfortable with crashing their first class, like I did. "I always suggest a private session," says my current instructor, Tara Jeffery of Ojai Pilates & Wellness Center.

Pilates challenges all fitness levels and anyone can reap the benefits, including a longer, leaner, stronger, flexible body. Once you learn the basic movements, you can take it anywhere.

I've been at this now for nearly two years and I've not only eliminated my pain, but I'm more toned and I've discovered a whole new life-long fitness regimen. This occurs to me as my ankles hover overhead again and Tara watches intently while holding her breath but this time my butt lands gracefully.

Always consult a physician before starting a new fitness regimen.

Learn more about this author, Lisa Snider.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.