The Sauna

I tried a tower class at Carbon. It involves springs that provide resistance during your workout. The springs attach to a board on the wall that have numbered eye hooks spaced in pairs from the floor to maybe a little less than six feet high. The instructor tells you which spring to use and what number hook to attach it to. She then demonstrates the exercise and explains the common thing your body may try to do but shouldn’t.

We worked on arms until I thought they would just fall off; there were many different exercises each focusing on different muscles. We then worked on abs which seemed a little shorter and not quite so torturous. When we worked on hamstrings I really started to struggle. But I focused and made horrible grunting and gasping noises with each effort and I made it through. However, a few days later the muscle on the back of my thigh was so sore that I could not lift my feet from the floor.

This was my first realization of what the hamstring muscle actually does for me and for two days I shuffled around in a drunken stagger trying to walk. I needed help to get my shoes and socks on. Finally I texted Leah and she told me to come in for mat class. I’m thinking “what! I can barely walk, this lady is sadistic”. She told me that we would work on abs in class and she would help me stretch. I trust her so I went to class. When I arrived she understood how painful my legs were and she sent me to the sauna.

Ahhh, the sauna! Now I don’t like to be hot and I think that air conditioning is one of humanities greatest accomplishments. Because of this I have always thought of the sauna as a place for masochists to sit and sweat while saying things like “I want to be so hot that I have a vision” or “Aren’t I trendy with my sweat and all”. Despite this I was willing to try anything to walk right (and put on my shoes by myself) so I went to the sauna.

It was hot! I sweated a lot but it wasn’t unbearable and as I sat there I noticed that the muscle that was painful and inflamed started to soften and become less painful. When I exited the sauna after 30 minutes I was drenched in sweat but I could walk more normally and I could put on my own shoes!

After a second session in the sauna two days later I am a believer. I have learned that the sauna is actually therapeutic. I have noticed that tension in my back and neck is relieved and my body feels looser and more relaxed. Wow, who knew?

Getting Back to It

I missed a few weeks of Pilates because of scheduling conflicts. During this break I realized that having someone to hold me accountable every week really makes a difference in my activity level. When I see Leah once or twice each week she asks me about exercise during the rest of the week. I know that I will either tell her about activity or that I sat in my recliner and watched TV every day. I would much rather say I walked my dog or something. When I am not accountable I am less active.

I had a session with Leah and she suggested that I try some classes and just like that I was scheduled for a mat class.

I felt anxious about attending my first mat class at Carbon. I knew that most of the attendees had been doing Carbon Pilates for years and I imagined that they would see my struggle and wonder what I was doing there. The women in the class were mostly older than me, in their 50’s and 60’s. They were very welcoming and friendly. Let me tell you, these ladies can do Pilates! They made me feel motivated to be in such good shape when I reach that age (or really to get in such good shape at my current age).

I am glad that Leah had me do private sessions first. This allowed me to adjust to the pattern of the workout and get strong enough for the exercises before getting in a class of strangers. Leah made sure that I had a location in the room with a good view of her so I could easily see what to do. She also made sure that I was doing the moves correctly.

The class was hard work but I was able to keep up. Mostly. I struggled a little but I got through it and I envied the older women who did so much better. The ladies chatted during class and the time passed quickly. I really enjoyed this class and I am looking forward to the next.

No More Miss Nice Girl

Well, after my last two visits at Carbon I have realized that Leah is no longer being gentle. She is still sweet and smiling but she is making me really work. I now have homework; cardio assignments between Pilates sessions.

I am now visiting Carbon twice a week and it seems that I am still sore from the last visit when I arrive for the next. Leah does vary the workout and different muscle groups are used each time so the sore muscles get a break. Leah also informed me that I am officially intermediate level! I feel stronger and I can tell that my endurance is better. Two weeks ago I could not have completed the workout that I accomplished today.

I have not lost any weight but I can see differences in my body. My abdomen feels tighter and my pants fit better, but best of all, I am seeing a hint of waist! I have never been a woman with a waist; I have always been kind of boxy.

Today Leah told me that I have a tricep line. This means that she could see my muscle! That’s a change!

The thing that surprises me the most is that I look forward to my Carbon workouts. I have never been a person who enjoys exercise, elliptical machines are monotonous and boring and I have never felt that weight machines really have any effect. The time at Carbon passes quickly and while I sometimes struggle to complete the exercises I often feel surprised when my session is over. Always relieved, but still surprised.

I realized that I have been very tense during my workouts over the last few weeks. The fear of injuring my knee led to a lot of tension in my body and resistance to enjoying my workout and getting the maximum benefit. Leah told me that she would not let me be hurt but it has taken time to overcome a fifteen year habit of fear.

Leah has taught me how to actually protect my knees during exercise instead of just trying not to use them. I have not had knee pain from my workouts and this is very significant for me. I usually hurt at least a little for a few days after any kind of workout and my left knee often feels “rusty” like a hinge that needs oil. I feel that I have used my muscles and they are sore after a session but it’s a satisfying soreness, not pain.

In fact I have not had any pain since beginning Pilates at Carbon. I regularly had some stiffness in my lower back and hips in the morning and my back often ached in the evening. I have not felt either sensation for weeks.

Exercise to heal?

My first actual workout appointment was postponed because I messed up my back. My lower back and right hip caused me severe pain. I could not stand up straight or bend over. I couldn't put on my shoes.

I suffered through the weekend and Tuesday I visited my chiropractor. He helped relieve the pain but I was still very stiff and uncomfortable. I took so long for me to bend over that my dog (who is obviously not well trained) could eat half his food from the bowl while I was lowering it to the floor.

A week after my chiropractic appointment I returned to Carbon. Leah was especially gentle with me at the rescheduled appointment which included mostly stretching and some leg exercises. It seems that I am in such poor shape that before I can really workout I must be rehabilitated.

Leah introduced me to a piece of equipment called the Cadillac Reformer. After stretching my legs Leah put stirrups (I hate to use that word ladies, but I can’t think of another) on my feet. I was lying on my back and the stirrups were attached to a frame at my head by long springs. Leah led me through a series of exercises working my legs and lower back. She gave me low resistance springs to protect my knees and back.

At the end of this appointment I bent to pick something up from the floor and was shocked when I moved smoothly and without pain to reach the floor. I even bent again just because I could and it felt good. The stiffness did not return and in the following week I found that my freedom of movement was better than before my back injury.

Carbon Demystified: Visit 1

When I heard about Carbon Pilates I envisioned a gaggle of fit young women in designer workout gear and perfect hair delicately blotting the tiniest sheen of sweat from their throats and talking about how Pilates is the only thing keeping their butts from being huge.

I felt intimidated by my own imaginings. Not only would I be uncomfortable in such an atmosphere because I am not fit, but I have specific impediments to fitness gained by high impact exercise. I have knee injuries that make it impossible for me to participate in aerobics classes or even use a treadmill.

My preconceived notions about this unfamiliar environment percolated through my mind and I had worked myself into a state of mild anxiety by the time I arrived at Carbon. I was pleasantly surprised to find a serene, uncluttered environment populated by people of varying shapes, sizes, and ages.

I was given a clipboard with several forms, including a waiver releasing Carbon from liability and others similar to those you fill out on a first time medical visit, asking about any health issues and what I would like to gain from Pilates. I described my knee and back issues and indicated that I am seeking increased strength and flexibility.

I met with Leah who looked over my paperwork and asked me to point my toe and flex my foot. She told me that my calf muscle is short and my hamstrings are very tight. Apparently in my efforts to protect my injured knees I had learned to walk carefully and somewhat unnaturally. This caused the hamstrings to tighten and led to the leg cramps that I suffer at night, in addition, I only exacerbated the knee pain.

Leah pointed out that in my years as a college student I have slouched over textbooks and computer screens and the muscles of my chest have become tight and pulled my shoulders forward. If left uncorrected this could cause me to become humpbacked. She assures me that this is correctable and will reduce my neck and shoulder tension.

Like most of us seeking fitness, I would like look better and I went into Carbon expecting to be uncomfortable and made to work hard and hurt in the name of vanity. But after speaking with Leah I have come to understand that Pilates at Carbon is about healing your body and making it stronger and more flexible so it can do what you want it to do, it’s about reducing the possibility of injury and pain.

I am excited at the possibility of reducing my knee and back pain but, I hope that I look better too ; )