Thank u Pilates

My husband pointed out to me that it might be a good idea to explain why I have named my business Thank u Pilates.

There is more than one reason, so let's just go through them one by one.

In 2013 I had an accident on the road. I had just been to the Kia car garage to look at a car I wanted to buy. I was on my bicycle on the main road returning home, when a courier van came speeding out of a side road without checking and ploughed straight into my left hand side hitting me square on. I bounced straight off my beautiful pashley princess bicycle (one of those upright ones like they have in the movies with a basket and a bell), and bounced on my bottom on the floor twice before landing with a bump. The bike got swallowed by the van and had gone between the wheels and had come out remarkably unscathed. I felt a little bruised but fine. The poor delivery driver was a little white and very concerned about me and apologetic. He was bless him also really concerned about making his next delivery. What I never knew is that the drives of these poor trucks are paid per delivery and the timing of that delivery and he informed me he was given a ridiculously short amount of time between deliveries ( I think he said 1 minute), which of course leads to drivers speeding, and completely over stressed drivers. I told the driver to continue on to make the rest of his deliveries and I said I would get back on my bike and complete my travel home.

As soon as the driver left I realised that the chain on my bike was broken, which was unclear to begin with because it had a mud guard. So limping and a little dazed, I walked with my bike back to the Kia garage, at which point I got a little light headed, and the staff were just lovely. They got me seated and brought me a can of coke, telling me I must be in shock, and then they lined out a 4x4 with cardboard, loaded my bike in the back and took me back home. Once home, my back started to hurt and the pain seemed to be getting worse as time went by. So I hopped on a bus to the hospital where I got checked out, and after waiting several long painful hours, I was literally just patted on my back and told I have whiplash and to go home. I wasn't best pleased.

As time went on my back still hurt and trips to the doctor had me sent a physio. After 6 sessions she said there was nothing more than could do for me and that I should be referred to the pain clinic at kingston. I was given an MRI that showed no damage. I was advised to continue exercising even when exercise caused discomfort and in essence to learn how to do things while still being in pain. We had a long chat about not giving up the things you love because you are in pain. She advised me to come to some group exercise classes at the hospital and she advised me to take up Pilates.

That advise unknowingly changed the course of my life. I did a few classes but not consistently, and I came to realise when I did do it the back pain eased, and when I didn't do it the pain increased. After having had my son, back pain increased, from having lugged my little fat head in my body for 9 months and then after squeezing him out, carrying his royal highness around on my hip for what seemed like an eternity. I started to Pilates classes regularly and the more I did it, the less pain I had, until I had no pain, and I was stronger. I was so thankful for this adjustment, it made life bearable. For all of this I was truly grateful for Pilates

After practising Pilates for several years, I wanted to know more. I was so thankful for what it had done for me, I wanted to know more and share it. I came to this decision after having a little life crisis of being lost and having a life which had lost its meaning of self. Life was all about my child and husband, and needed to refind me. This lead down the line of becoming a Pilates instructor. The teacher training course enabled me to use my brain, meet new people, have time childless. For all of this I was truly grateful for Pilates.

I have over the last few years I have moved on a new path to try and find a simpler, happier life. I have always journalled when depressed or down (lots of years of therapy told me this was a good idea), or when on holiday to remember the best bits about the trip, but I had never tried to journal for a positive outcome. After reading lots of things online I started to write a list of things I was grateful for every evening from the day. I cannot tell you how this brightens your life, reduces anxiety, and helps you to go to sleep lighter. When I sat for months thinking of what I could call my business nothing sat right and then suddenly it popped in my head, that I was thankful for my Pilates practise, and that is where the name came from.. Thank u Pilates, because just that I am thankful for it, and if you give it a go, I am sure you will be thankful for it too. So if you want to give a class a go, please do contact me.