Pilates Is My Superpower

The super heroes that populate the movies my 11-year-old son loves can keep their superpowers. Sure, they are splashy, fearsome, dramatic and effective at battling any manner of evil. But I’ll take my ever growing super power over iron suits, sticky webs, and large hammers any day. My superpower means my back doesn’t hurt anymore after hours of cooking. It means I can do my job—cooking/teaching cooking—with more ease than I ever have. It means I feel taller, maybe even am taller. I may not look like Hulk (nor do I want to) but I can dig a drainage ditch and haul a ton and a half of river rock when the basement leaks.

I didn’t know what to expect when I started dabbling in Pilates and Gyrotonic a few years go. I got serious about it when going through treatment for breast cancer–chemo therapy, a bi-lateral mastectomy and reconstructive surgery. I’ve come through that physical and emotional strain stronger than ever. The specific moment I noticed that things were different was sitting on an examining table at one of my many doctor’s appointments, waiting for the doctor. I realized I was sitting up straight. I was not slouching. I was also not trying to sit up straight, I just was. I suppose this is what core strength actually feels like. Now I notice it daily, in my posture, my happy back after many hours on my feet, and the joy of doing Teaser with ease!

Thank you reFORM for empowering me every day.