Everyone asks me, 'what's different about Pilates?' I reluctantly try to explain, thinking to myself..."I don't know".

I am not an expert in cycling, weight training, golfing, or yoga. I am an expert in Pilates. I may not be able to fully explain the difference because I don't know about the oranges it's being compared to.

What I do know is from my own personal experience.

I was about 32, was working out pretty regularly with tapes and brisk walking. I received regular massages and was getting my spine aligned about every 2/3 weeks. I ate pretty well, not too strict, enjoyed libations and thought I was quite fit.

A friend of mine told me I should try Pilates, with all that I was doing and how conscious I was of my spine and muscles, I should check it out. It took me almost a year and finally the right day came around.

I enrolled in a Pilates workshop, it was an all day event that would change my life.

When the instructor started teaching I understood what she was saying because of my chiropractic background and suddenly my brain was spinning and I realized that this was the challenge I had been yearning for. I couldn't perform any, I mean ANY, of the exercises and I thought it was crazy that I couldn't move my own body!! After all the health I was putting in, I couldn't get my "core" working right.

The problem was that I had to actually think about what I wanted my body to do, I not only had to put forth physical effort, but mental as well. Beyond that, I had to teach myself to relax!

So the difference to me is that with every other form of exercise I have tried, I did not have to be finely tuned in. I used to just go through the motions, sweat, feel sore, and believe I was working hard.

Now I think, move, feel exilarated, and KNOW I have performed to the best of my ability at that specific time.

The Pilates difference will be unique for everyone, but you will never get to know unless you try.

Your Pilates geek,

Leslie Farrands
Pilates by Leslie
151 2nd St. SW
Winter Haven, FL 33880
863-651-8032