Throughout January and February we’ll be featuring “You in 2022” – a variety of stories from instructors and enthusiasts alike on what inspires them to be healthier. We hope they inspire you to make a healthy choice, too!
Four years ago a friend suggested we look into a Pilates studio nearby. We signed up for semi-private lessons with trainer Suzie, and so my exercise journey began. After a year, we transferred to group classes twice weekly, taking from Suzie, Heidi, Alexis and Taryn. I loved how much energy I felt on leaving the studio twice weekly. Little did I know how vital this introduction to exercise would be.
In late May of 2020, just as Covid was rearing its ugly head, I was hospitalized for 5 long days with major breathing issues. I returned home attached to an oxygen tank with all kinds of support sent to my house to show me how to navigate a flight of 14 stairs, shower in 3 stages, and a son who fortunately figured out how to attach a compressor to his truck when I was gasping for air in the midst of a power outage. I was determined to dump that oxygen tank and show the medics that their dire prognosis was not for me. I had just retired and had a lot to do on my bucket list. My backyard has a lot of walkways, and so I pulled in my core, and started walking daily, dragging my canister behind me. Four weeks later, mission accomplished, as I made that call to collect my now obsolete tank. I was longing to connect with the studio and get some real exercise going as they now were offering classes online. Unfortunately, there was a hiccup in my plans as during my hospital stay they had found that 40% of my stomach was in my chest cavity which led to surgery and postponed exercises. But then, I signed up for private lessons online with Alexis, who listened carefully to my needs and wants, and gave me the former. She gave me the tools to start moving and breathing correctly. Most of all, she gave me the tools to move confidently and safely as I worked in my house or garden.
Now I am back in the community taking classes weekly from Chandra, Alexis and Tiffany. I have learned to put exercise first, each week on my calendar. I love how I am mentally challenged as I lie on my back and have to visualize the instructions, and have learned not to push boundaries in my body, but to listen to it. I enjoy the laughter as we exercise together, and I have discovered parts of my body that I didn’t know 6 existed…slings??
But most of all I appreciate the dedicated staff of teachers in this studio. I am grateful for the high expectations, their passion, and the amazing way they manage to personalize each person’s workout. I recently celebrated my 80th birthday by zip lining across 5 canyons on Catalina Island for two hours with speeds up to 35 miles an hour. A far cry from lugging an oxygen tank across the floor…check one off on the bucket list!
Established in July 2002, Blue Moon Pilates has been serving Southern California and Orange County as its premier Pilates Wellness and Education training studio. Owned and managed by Kelly Leonardi-Uygan, Blue Moon Pilates is also Southern California’s flagship Teacher Training studio for the internationally renowned Balanced Body Education. At Blue Moon Pilates our focus is on helping clients achieve their goals with our specialized programs. Our programs range from Privates to Group sessions which include Pilates and other functional fitness modalities and are taught by our caring, highly skilled, certified instructors.
