Testimonials

Jessica Gowen Mangino - November 2004

When the Washington Post published an article about Excel in the fall of 1998, I decided to enroll in mat class to address chronic low back pain. I attended mat class sporadically, and I never practiced at home. Nonetheless, after a few sessions, I found that my chronic low back pain was improving. I was hooked, and after about a year, I signed up for trio apparatus sessions.

I ended up in the teacher training program here more as a matter of chance than planning. One night after the advanced mat class, Kerry stopped me in the dressing room and asked if I had ever considered teaching Pilates, and explained that she and Lesa were starting their own certification program. As I started the program, I also started my Master of Public Management degree at the University of Maryland's School of Public Policy. My friends and family told me I was crazy to do both at the same time, and they were right. At the time, I expected teaching Pilates to provide an income stream while I went through school. I never expected that I would finish my degree and decide to make teaching Pilates my career.

As I prepare to leave for Atlanta, I think about all that I have learned from my clients and co-workers since I started teaching at Excel. I have deep respect for the commitment our clients and teachers bring to the studio and their Pilates work. Over the past two years, I have watched people overcome lifelong limitations, set and work toward challenging goals, improve their self-confidence and take control of their health. Each of my clients has inspired me in some way, and as a whole, they affirm daily my decision to explore this career path. For that, I say thank you and I will miss you all!

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