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!
In May of 2013 my life changed. I was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), which is terminal without a lung transplant. Until then I was in fairly good shape for 57. Outside of being slightly overweight I still tried to workout by golfing, walking, running, playing tennis, and hitting the gym. I had also started a Pilates regiment at Blue Moon Pilates in September of 2015, after a month at a studio in New York. I wanted a studio where the trainers watched and cared about their students.
Blue Moon trainers taught me a new way to breathe. It would become my lifesaver when, after six years of seemingly being unaffected by IPF, things took a rapid downward turn. I went from just being on OFEV, a medication meant to slow down the scarring in my lungs, to eventually being on a portable concentrator and then to full-time oxygen and concentrators.
Luckily, I had been taking Pilates four to six days a week since 2015, sometimes twice a day. I learned a new way of breathing, to relax my body, strengthen my core and straighten out my gait, which had been slightly lopsided. With Pilates I was feeling so much better. I was able to increase my exercise regimen and take it seriously during those five years. I no longer ached with every movement and it helped me lose weight – and being at an optimal weight is a requirement in being a transplant recipient.
My new way of breathing became crucial in my final months before my lung transplant, and even while on oxygen and concentrators, I would remain calm and use my Pilates 4 breath, even while having coughing fits and losing my breath, which is a side-effect of IPF.
After the transplant of my left lung at UCLA on September 20, 2019, my Pilates training was noticeably visible. Simple things like nurses asking me to get up from the bed I could do without help. It was the same way I was taught to get off of the Reformer. When I was asked to stand for the first time and to take my first walk around the ward, I only needed minimal assistance.
I can’t thank Kelly and the staff at Blue Moon Pilates for all their help, patience, and understanding during what would have been, more than likely, my last days. They allowed me to work out while on oxygen, even if I couldn’t do a full class because my tank would run out. A special thanks to Michel, who was so understanding and compassionate, during his Strong and Safe classes. Always having kind and comforting words for me. To Alexis for her training and patience during her Flow and Restore classes. And to Kari for letting me go at my own pace in her Deep classes on Saturday mornings.
All the staff and other clients continually had comforting words for me and my wife during this difficult time. It did take a village, and I was lucky to have mine – both then and now into 2022.
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.
