Testimonials

Gail Houle - January 2005

Several years ago while experiencing an episode of sciatica that often occurred after lifting even one moderately heavy object, I decided that I needed to begin a daily regiment of back strengthening exercises. With no real knowledge of back exercises or back physiology, I figured that I would peruse a bookstore and find a book that contained back exercises. As fate would have it, the book I bought was a Pilates book. This led to a web search for a Pilates program in the DC area and to Excel Movement Studios. Little did I know that Pilates would succeed beyond my wildest imagination in alleviating sciatica and the other more subtle aches and pains that I experienced, usually upon wakening in the mornings. While having a routine bone density scan of my back, the technician said she could tell the spines of Yoga and Pilates practitioners by their lack of spinal compression and the density and flexibility she observed.

Sciatica-free since I began Pilates you could say that I am "hooked." I have found an exercise program that does not involve pounding my joints on hard floors or pavement, sweating and showering several times a day, or feeling worn-out after a session. I am so hooked that when I go on vacation, I look for a Pilates teacher in that area so I can continue while out of town. Of course, I could do the Pilates exercises on my own, but attending formal classes keeps me interested and motivated. I arranged sessions while vacationing in St. Petersburg, Florida and Chautauqua Lake, New York. Now that Pilates has grown in popularity, there is a class offered 3x weekly right in my office building and I have seen tapes made available in hotel gyms. I believe everything happens for a reason, even a "pain in the back."

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