It's understandable that investing in Private Pilates sessions can seem a little overwhelming or even indulgent.    However, neglecting your health can be pretty costly in the long run as well. Starr Pilates client, actress Lila Claghorn is a perfect illustration of how Pilates really does deliver a great value. 
Lila came to Starr Pilates in March of 2017.  She'd been a lifelong hockey player and had an incredibly hard work ethic, however she wasn't seeing results from workouts and had developed some muscle imbalances.  Initial Pilates sessions focused on opening her shoulders and training her deep abdominal muscles.  Little did she know that she had two herniated discs that had calcified as a result of having disclocated her pelvis years ago in a hockey game. While she was traveling over the holidays a fragment of one of the discs broke off  pressing on a nerve in her back sending debilitating pain all the way down her left leg and causing "dropfoot" in her left foot (meaning she could not lift or move her foot).  She said that the abdominal strength from regular Pilates sessions helped alleviate the pain of getting around while seeing doctors and getting an MRI. "As I walked across the street to the ER that morning it took a full 30 minutes...to cross the street and every time that I truly engaged my core for even a second I found relief from the consistent pain." 
Back in Los Angeles, Pilates was doctor recommended and the only workout Lila could safely do while waiting for a prognosis from her surgeon.  Two months later after bi-weekly Pilates sessions totalling approximately $1280, the nerve pain had subsided. Most importantly her foot was strong enough that her neurosurgeon cleared her from having to undergo a procedure that would have cost anywhere from $10,000-$50,000- not including lost wages during recovery time and additional stress.  Her doctor's orders: "keep doing Pilates."
Lila credits the challenging yet careful instruction at Starr Pilates with keeping her fit and healthy.  Lila describes her sessions with Elaine, "You love her and hate her at the same time... Which is exactly how you should feel about a Pilates instructor!"  She also works out with Nabila, who passes what Lila calls the "Shampoo Test...as  in my arms are too sore to shampoo my hair the next day!"... not to worry she does anyway. 
Here at Starr Pilates we'd like to believe that you CAN have it all.  Investing in your health pays off in the long run.   Book your appointment today to start feeling and looking your best. See you in the studio!

When schedules get busy making time to prepare and eat healthy food gets pushed further and further down the list of priorities.  Usually it isn't until a raging headache hits and I've polished off the better part of cheese and crackers we have in the fridge that I realize what I've done.  For years I've resisted the truth that shopping for, preparing, and cleaning up after meals is a huge effort, but in my experience the alternatives are way worse. Thankfully I've stumbled upon the Minimalist Baker.  All her recipes are 10 ingredients or less, use one bowl or are less than 30 minutes to prepare.  I've taken her No Bake PB&J Energy Bites and subbed out dark chocolate for the dried fruit.  Tell me what you think and let me know how you stay healthy on the run!

Joseph Pilates was a pretty interesting guy.  He developed the Cadillac or Trapeze Table (shown below) when he was working with the sick in England in an internment camp during WWI.  He took the springs from the hospital beds and attached them to the posts so his patients could exercise while lying down.  In 1918 a flu epedemic hit killing millions,  but legend has it those who were practicing Pilates didn't get sick.  Scientific findings today are backing up what Pilates knew almost 100 years ago.  Pilates exercises have been praised for helping remove toxins via the lymphatic system.  Lymph gets circulated through our bodies through movement and breath, two integral parts of Pilates.  Lying down while doing these exercises helps because our systems aren't having to work against gravity and if you are coming back from an injury or sickness there is less stress put on the body while you recover.  Seems like Pilates is a pretty good deal: enviable abs and the saved up sick days to to enjoy them on the beach...