Pilates For Seniors
Pilates is ageless. We at The Sheppard Method Pilates Studio adhere to the notion that you are only as old as you feel, and we aim to make everyone, regardless of age or abilities, feel better!
Stretching is very important in our everyday life. Everyone can benefit from staying flexible. Our trainers start all sessions with hands-on stretching. Stretching feels good and is good for you. Stretching is a great way to ease back into movement and exercise.
We all age and mature. Sometimes we like what we see, sometimes we don’t. We know one thing: Move it or lose it! We don’t all need to look like a movie star, however we do want to experience a body that is flexible, strong, and as pain free as possible. This is the goal we help you to maintain. By experiencing Sheppard Method Pilates, you will increase your flexibility, improve your posture, add more energy into your life. Your body will begin to move more comfortably. What more can you ask? You will feel better, which can make you feel younger. We have clients in their late 80′s, and they are strong, vibrant, and healthy. It is the best insurance you can take out on your body. It is NEVER too late to start. Your instructor will help design a program specifically for you. This is important for many reasons: One being we cater to what your body needs, and we can focus on your bodys strengths. We wont expect you to do exercises that may hurt you or make you feel uncomfortable. As you continue doing Pilates you will find your body getting stronger, and then at that point your instructor will add other exercises to your repertoire. You will feel better almost immediately.
Here is what some of our clients have to say:
June Miller 85 woman who has been a 3x a week Pilates student for 15 years. I have been part of Risa Sheppard’s method for 15 years and feel that it has made me better mentally and physically and I hope to continue as long as I can attend the sessions
Gratefully June Miller 8/4/2008
Preparing for our next steps……
Why Baby Boomers Can Benefit From Pilates!
Alex Baldwin, age fifty-five, turns to his ex-wife Meryl Streep, age sixty-two, after making love to her in the movie “Its Complicated” exclaims “Pilates is really paying off!” That line has invoked a laugh from many, especially my “over forty” clients who agree whole heartedly. Pilates has revolutionized the fitness industry.
Baby boomers, those of us born between 1945 and 1962, stand to improve not just our bodies and self esteem, but our sex lives as well. After hurling our bodies haphazardly during the aerobic craze of the 80’s, working our fingers to the bone to make a living, and raising our children, we baby boomers deserve some quality time with ourselves and Pilates is an answer. It allows us to “center” ourselves, go within, and exercise our minds and bodies in a way that facilitates inner growth, outer strength, and relaxed muscles. We appreciate how our bodies function. We see flexibility return where we were once rigid, both in body and mind. We realize that just because the clock moves forward and hair may turn grey, the mind and body will have a way to succumb to the peaceful instructions Pilates has to give. “It is the mind which shapes the body” as Joe Pilates lamented often. In this youth culture, it’s nice to have a physical routine that keeps us looking and feeling healthy and vital well into our older age.
As a fifty-six year old Pilates instructor for thirty-five years, I find I must continually work to maintain my flexibility and strength. Pilates is not a shape up quick scheme. Its not “burn the fat and then eat ice cream” kind of routine. I have heard a lot of twenty and thirty something’s feel one must “sweat” in order to lose weight and shape up. What is refreshing about us baby boomers is that we like to be able to move with grace, get into our old jeans, and be pain free. That is enough to make us happy, and that is what Pilates can do for everyone. And if our sex life improves, well, that’s icing on the cake. We feel better about ourselves. We are not afraid to hide our bodies, to express ourselves with movement.
We must be realistic in our goals, and that’s were baby boomers have it together. Its fun to see a prima ballerina extend her leg way into the air and bend her back into a pretzel, but we know our bodies aren’t going to go there and so many of us simply give up or never try Pilates. I’m here to tell you that anyone can benefit from Pilate sessions, and you don’t need to look like a dancer; but you can feel like one. You will experience how your body moves differently, your spouse looks at you admiringly, and you like what you see in the mirror… baby boomers unite! We are here for a long while; might as well enjoy what we have worked so hard for, and make the next generation look up to our grace, strength, stamina and well being. Not to mention our great sex lives!!!!
About the Author: Risa received her formal training in the early 70’s under master instructor Ron Fletcher. She is the author of the book, “Risa Sheppard’s Fitness Formula for a Firm and Flat Stomach” and conducts seminars and workshops on the Pilates method. She has patented a Pilates product and more. To learn more about Risa please visit www.sheppardmethod.com.
Tags: Alex Baldwin, Meryl Streep, Risa Sheppard Method Pilates, Ron Fletcher Pilates
