While Pilates is a Powerful discipline, its full capabilities as a rehabilitation tool have yet to be discovered. Pilates is the rage. Everywhere you look, models and celebrities are touting the benefits of this body conditioning method. Books, magazines and Web sites are praising this exercise program for its ability to improve posture, develop whole-body strength and enhance physical as well as mental conditioning. "Pilates studios" are opening around the country, while yoga and aerobic instructors are adding "The Pilates Method" to their offerings. The media has created a new level of awareness as it presents tribute to the success of this fitness phenomenon. The current focus has meandered from the original purpose of the exercises. Joseph Pilates created them to assist patients in rehabilitation by combining elements of gymnastics, yoga and other disciplines he had studied. Without the benefit of elaborate equipment, he utilized readily available materials, such as chairs and bedsprings, to design exercises for hospital patients. These exercises were intended to strengthen muscles, enhance blood circulation and utilize focused attention in a disciplined routine. As a dedicated Pilates student, I can attest to its multiple benefits as a method of rehabilitation. For the last two years, Pilates has been a powerful and positive force in my life. In 1965, I was a passenger in a car that was hit by two vehicles. As a result of spinal cord damage at the T12 and L-1levels, the prognosis stated I would never walk again. After several months of physical therapy, I was told not to expect any additional progress as a consequence of my extensive spinal cord damage and muscular atrophy. Fortunately, I proved the doctors wrong and began walking with the assistance of leg braces and canes. While living in New York City in 1993, I suffered from debilitating knee pain, exacerbated by frequent falls. I was referred to multiple physical therapists, yet flunked out of each program because they either increased my pain or were limited to passive therapies, such as ice, ultrasound and electric stimulation. Several physicians recommended a total knee replacement, but I was determined to keep my knee and conquer the pain. My rehabilitation breakthrough began when a colleague at Columbia University witnessed my daily pain and suggested I contact Taaj Jaharah, a sports trainer and registered massage therapist. During my initial visit, Jaharah said, "Let's work on the pain first." Her statement set the tone for the rest of our sessions. She broke the pain cycle slowly, which allowed me to do strengthening exercises on a daily basis. For four years, through consistent daily exercises, I began to build strength and awareness in my muscles. One very special measure of my newfound physical strength occurred when I accomplished a full press, freestanding handstand in class. In 1999, my career led me to Cambridge, Massachusetts. I still walked with two canes, leg braces and suffered from consistent knee and hip pain. I was eager to find another practitioner who could help me continue to develop my strength and assuage my pain. After working briefly with several practitioners from various disciplines, I contacted Martha Mason, a certified Pilates instructor. I described my physical challenges to her and she explained the philosophy and practices of the Pilates Method. When I first began Pilates, I did not fully realize the importance of finding a certified instructor. Pilates is a rigorous program that requires more than 600 hours of supervised work, extensive knowledge of anatomy, physiology and training on the usage of Pilates equipment. I quickly learned to appreciate the extensive training required to be certified. I have now been working for two years on an intensive rehabilitation program with Mason. Unlike physical therapy, which only concentrated on my injured knee, we focus on whole-body strength. Since Pilates exercises are not weight bearing, I can perform them without irritating my knee. She has shown me that doing 10 to 12 repetitions of an exercise eliminates boredom and more importantly, not working through pain prevents further injury. We have adapted many of the basic Pilates exercises to my capabilities. Through Mason's creativity and my concentration, we have jointly perfected exercises that have enabled me to reconnect messages between my brain and muscles. I have learned to mentally locate an inactive muscle and recognize the slightest movement in it. Moreover, I have identified atrophied muscles and slowly built their strength. Through concentration, I have learned to "let go" of the stronger muscles and engage the weaker ones. In turn, my hard work has paid off. As circulation was restored and muscles redeveloped, sensation and. color returned to my legs. I have gained one inch in my atrophied right calf, and my glutes and hamstrings have been re-activated. Also, the strength in my torso has improved my gait, stability, posture and balance. As an instructor, Mason brings to each session her extensive technical knowledge, complete focus on my capabilities and the ability to challenge me without producing further injury or frustration. As a student, I bring to each session my full commitment, focus and willingness to be challenged. Together, we share the excitement and success of our mutual efforts. Unfortunately, the potential of Pilates as a form of physical rehabilitation has yet to be realized. As I practice this mentally and physically challenging process, I am grateful for the creative genius of Joseph Pilates, who created an innovative approach to physical rehabilitation. I hope the current national interest in Pilates will not only continue but expand to greater heights. --- Kate Wilson, M.A., is president of Wilson Educational Consultants in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She works with colleges and universities to improve the delivery student services, using her expertise gained as a college administrator for 25 years. She is a frequent presenter at higher education professional conferences on issues related to student services.
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