Pilates to increase resilience

Last summer Meike Lavrijsen started Pilates at Diani, two weeks later her husband Bart joined. They both have a good feeling about the guidance they receive and the results they achieve and they like to talk about it.

Meike: “I run, but I don’t warm up or cool down. I noticed lately that I was getting stiffer, I couldn’t touch the ground with my hands anymore. I was tipped off by a friend who did Pilates. I had been introduced to this sport during my pregnancy, but I wasn’t very enthusiastic about it. I decided to give it a try anyway. After the first lesson I did get very enthusiastic because I noticed an improvement quickly. What I really like is the guidance. Diani talks you through each exercise and always points out where you can improve. I currently do Pilates on the mat. Maybe I’ll switch to the Reformer later, I still found it too intense. I think it’s important to first get to know the basics of Pilates well. I can now touch the ground with my hands again. I still don’t warm up or cool down when running, by the way 😉.”

~ Diani talks you through each exercise ~

Bart: “I have been having problems with my hip for a while now. My goal – on the advice of my doctor – is to increase my resilience. I am a gym teacher at a secondary school and my body is therefore my ‘tool’. From my education I know what good exercises could be, but I am stuck on discipline. It is difficult for me to continue doing that at home. That is why I go to Diani, for the stick behind the door and to make sure that I do the exercises correctly. The hip problems have not gone away, Pilates is not a miracle cure, but I do notice a real difference in my resilience. I always wondered beforehand whether there would be more men who do Pilates. They are there, although we are in the minority. I don’t care, I do it for myself, it is about my health. I quite like doing Pilates, but for my sporting pleasure I prefer to play paddle tennis. Thanks to Pilates I am better at that and I can keep it up for longer.”

Also curious about what Pilates can do for you? Make an appointment for a trial lesson, you are very welcome.