Relief From Back PainI have been taking Pilates classes from Susanna since January of 2002. While I have always found the classes both relaxing and energizing, I have recently noticed other important benefits. I have always suffered from lower back pain, making standing for any length of time painful. Through Pilates my back has strengthened to the point where I can stand for hours with no back pain at all. In addition, I am more flexible than I have ever been.
I would highly recommend Susanna's classes to anyone, regardless of their age or current fitness level. I especially like the small class size and personal attention Susanna gives to each student to make sure we are doing the exercises correctly. This ensures that the proper techniques and breathing that are crucial to achieving the maximum benefit from the exercises will be learned. Taking these classes has been, and continues to be, very valuable to me. As I said before, I would recommend them to anyone wishing to improve their fitness and overall well being. - Diana Gardner I've enjoyed Pilates classes for 10 years, learning from multiple instructors. I have now been taking classes with Susanna for one year, just one hour a week, and I am seeing significant improvement in that short time due to her incredible skill as an instructor. Susanna is very detailed and precise and I feel like I am finally focusing on the critical components of Pilates. She is able to point out adjustments and modifications, even in a large class, that really target my individual needs. My lower back no longer bothers me during exercise. That alone is a huge deal. But the most important change I have noticed is that my entire back is much more flexible than I can ever remember. I am amazed how far I am able to reach in forward and side bends. I'm excited to go to class each week to learn and explore what my body is capable of. In addition, the atmosphere is supportive and collegial among the students. -Tamara Santos, Santa Cruz I had been treating the chronic pain in my shoulder, neck and low back with chiropractic care and physical therapy for years before I realized it was not a permanent enough solution for me. I knew that if I wanted to live pain free, I was going to have to change my lifestyle, as well as improve my body mechanics. Susanna was just the person to help me achieve my goals. She takes a personal approach with each of her clients, and understands their individual needs. After a lot of hard work, dedication and Susanna’s unparalleled attention to detail I am pleased to report that I am completely pain free. Pilates is a lifestyle choice for me that works, and with Susanna’s help it has changed my life. - Jennifer C., Scotts Valley After having chronic pain around the tail bone for many years, I was amazed that a few weeks with Susanna I am pain-free most of the time. -Sheryl Grover, Boulder Creek After about 25 chiropractic treatments and 12 physical therapy sessions in the course of one year for a lower back injury, I still experienced a lot of lost range of motion. I knew that "if it's going to be, it's up to me." (With your help). That began a wonderful adventure in gaining movement. You are so skilled in training the very beginners to do various exercises that start to open up the trunk, the low back, the hips, neck and the shoulders. Each class was an adventure and resulted in several days of "good" pain from using body parts that had been frozen just like the Tin Man in the Wizard of Oz, who rusted together each time it rained. That was me. Your classes also confirmed my that prior medical treatment had been only partially successful because it focused only on the injured body part, when my body was reacting by stiffening up all over. I knew that I needed something that would involve my whole body. Pilates, with your method of instruction, has certainly been the answer for me! Now, only 14 weeks later, I am moving better, having almost no low back pain and am finding that I actually do have abdominal muscles somewhere beneath all that stuff covering my stomach. And I am finding I do have a waistline if I use those abdominal muscles. Thank you. - Margaret Phillips, MS Registered Occupational Therapist Fellow of The American Occupational Therapy Association |