The Boomer Chronicles

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I Started Pilates Posted: 12 Apr 2011 06:28 AM PDT I’ve been one lucky baby boomer. I have never had the back trouble and other physical ailments that have plagued so many friends of mine. But then one day not long ago I woke up with some kind of muscular pain in my lower back and I could hardly stand up straight. It took a few minutes and I finally pulled myself up. The muscular pain continued for several days after that. To be honest, I had had an episode of this a few years ago, too. So these experiences, coupled with a nervy, tight-hamstring-y feeling going down both legs for the past year or so, spurred me to action. A doctor friend of mine examined me and recommended Pilates. I had never done Pilates and knew very little about it, but lucky for me, there’s a Pilates studio about two blocks from my home. It couldn’t be easier. I signed up for my first lesson. You have to take one private lesson to start classes since you have to learn how to use the equipment. The equipment includes the ‘reformer’, a single-bed-like platform but with all kinds of straps and contraptions attached to it. A bit like a medieval torture rack. My teacher guided an hourlong workout. The abdominal muscles are key to Pilates. It was KILLER. I went home and could not believe how utterly exhausted I was from using a few neglected muscles. I took a long nap and when a friend came over for a visit later in the day, I could hardly keep my eyes open. Ugh. But the next day I felt really good about the whole thing. The second lesson was last night and entailed a group of four students, including me, each with our own reformer. Afterward, I was less exhausted and sore. Pilates claims to change your body significantly. I signed up for a total of 10 lessons, so here we go.

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