A story About Consistency
Hello!
This is a heartwarming story of success, how dedication pays off, and how consistency brings results.
In March of this year, a student came in for her first Pilates Movement Therapy session. She had heard about the Santosha Movement Society from one of her friends. She wanted to give it a try to see if it would help with her persistent pain associated with facet degeneration and S1 nerve root compression. It had been more than four years of dealing with SI instability and being unable to do the activities she loved like hiking, running and yoga without the pain causing her to stop. She also had little resiliency in her low back to garden and fold laundry. Her goals were to get stronger so she could get back to the level of activity she had been at in the past. After already trying physical therapy, PRP and stem cell injections, it seemed like she had tried it all!
Since her first 1:1 session with me at the end of March, she has been consistent, which is one of the keys to her success. We started with 1:1 sessions a bit closer together, and then started stretching the time between them a little longer with another way of practice in between- like a virtual class or in studio group. Through those, as well as doing the on demand videos I selected for her, she was diligent about learning the foundations.
The videos helped her to refine the resets that were specific to the postural habits that I discovered were contributing to her pain, and gave her a way to practice on her own schedule. We were able to review her 'top' exercises together in her sessions, and then I made sure we did those well when she attended virtual classes and in studio groups. Meanwhile, when she did a video, she was further cementing the learning and mind/body connection, creating an opportunity to make lasting change.
Last week this student came to see me for her 1:1 and what she said was reflective of what Pilates Movement Therapy can offer. Over the last six months she has continued to report her pain level decreasing and becoming more and more active without the debilitating pain. She talked about a recent series of long hikes she had been on, and how six months ago it would have been aching and escalating pain that would have required breaks to sit. She was able to enjoy the hikes without that pain! Whatever discomfort she occasionally may have when getting in and out of positions is extremely manageable and she has a plan for what to do when those infrequent flares come up (hint- the resets I chose for her!). Whereas before, it was incapacitating and profoundly limiting. She says "I have every intention of continuing with Pilates Movement Therapy!"
With her participation in multiple offerings, I am able to watch her move in various ways, therefore further informing me of what she needs. I can support so much better when students participate more often, and the varied offerings make it less overwhelming both on your schedule as well as your pocketbook!
So what was her formula?
Stayed consistent.
Learned the foundations and specific resets.
Variety of implementation- 1:1, class, video, and small group.
Made Pilates part of her lifestyle.
And what was the result?
She is back to the activities she loves without the pain.
Has a plan of movement for when occasional discomfort comes up to prevent it from escalating.
Pilates transitioned from a healing modality to a preventative tool that will stay a part of her life.
Continual progress stems from a strong base of the foundations coupled with consistency. Your body thrives on repetition of healthy habits. It loves when you show up regularly, because that’s when the real change happens. By staying active with the offerings within the Santosha Movement Society, you’re reinforcing the healthy movement patterns that not only keep pain away but also help build strength, balance, flexibility and mobility that will last a lifetime.
If Pilates was like a magic pill, we'd all take it and move on. But like anything worthwhile, it takes consistency to get lasting results. Luckily, I'm here to support you and make it fun in the process!
Ready to commit to yourself? Let’s keep your body moving and pain-free together! Join the Santosha Movement Society today. At $25/month, it offers 20% off many of the offerings and other special perks, like a free zoom to work with me once a month and unlimited access to the on demand videos. It pays for itself when you use just one offering a month, and also invites you to be consistent and receive my highest level of support.
If you're already a member and want to get back to consistency, it's never too late to jump back in. Book a session or class below with your 20% discount hard coded into your account. And send me a note or speak up in class about what you're going through and we'll figure out how I can further support you!
See you on the mat,
Mandee Louie
