 Utilizing Pilates to Triumph over Ataxia Telangiectasia: Client Spotlight
We are proud of all our clients at The Pilates Center but today we especially want to highlight this young woman. Claire has been faithfully devoted to her Pilates practice with us for 5 years. Her unwavering dedication is especially inspiring because she has a very rare neurological condition called Ataxia Telangiectasia. Ataxia telangiectasia (A-T) is a rare, progressive, and incurable genetic disorder that affects the nervous system, immune system, and other body systems. This condition leads to poor coordination, involuntary movements, and difficulty walking (ataxia). Additionally, individuals with A-T may experience weakened immune responses, increased risk of infections, and are more prone to developing cancer. Telangiectasias, which are small red "spider veins" that appear on the skin or whites of the eyes, are also common in individuals with this condition. The progressive nature of A-T can significantly impact an individual's quality of life as the symptoms worsen over time. Early diagnosis and proper management are crucial in providing support and improving the outcomes for individuals living with Ataxia Telangiectasia. Pilates can be beneficial for patients with A-T by focusing on improving core strength, balance, and coordination. The controlled movements in Pilates can help enhance stability and proprioception, which are often compromised in individuals with A-T. By engaging in Pilates exercises specifically tailored to their needs, patients can work on strengthening muscles, improving posture, and increasing flexibility. Additionally, the mind-body connection emphasized in Pilates practice may help individuals better understand their movement patterns and improve overall body awareness. Overall, incorporating Pilates into a comprehensive treatment plan can support individuals with A-T and other neurological conditions in maintaining functional independence and quality of life. We consider it a privilege to work with this remarkable young woman. To know Claire is to love Claire. Thank you Claire for trusting us to be on this journey with you!
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 Meet our New Instructor: Sydney Hall
When practicing Pilates, having an instructor you can trust is paramount to ensure a safe and effective workout experience. The guidance provided by a knowledgeable and experienced Pilates instructor goes beyond just demonstrating exercises; it encompasses proper form correction, personalized modifications, and insightful feedback tailored to your unique needs and goals. Pilates isn’t one size fits all, and a good instructor will be able to work with where your body is at on any given day- whether you’re feeling especially strong, or slightly injured, or anything in between. I like to say that you probably wouldn’t get your haircut from someone who only took a weekend course, so don’t trust your body to them either. Proper Pilates education is hundreds of hours of coursework and practical experience. Also, a good Pilates instructor is more than just an instructor: many act as a mentor, motivator, and partner in your journey to improved physical fitness and overall well-being. Their expertise empowers you to push boundaries, explore your potential, and achieve results with confidence and security. Therefore, the relationship between a Pilates practitioner and their instructor is built on a foundation of trust, respect, and open communication, fostering a supportive environment for growth and learning. Ultimately, investing in a trustworthy Pilates instructor is investing in yourself, your health, and your fitness journey. All instructors at the Pilates Center Fort Worth have gone through a rigorous, 3rd party certified Pilates Education Program and are vetted by myself before joining the studio. And I couldn’t be more pleased than to welcome our newest instructor: Sydney Hall! Sydney is originally from Memphis, Tennessee and graduated May of 2024 from Butler University with a B.S. in Dance Arts Administration with a Marketing minor. Currently, she is dancing with Texas Ballet Theater’s Studio Training Company for the upcoming 2024-2025 season and working towards earning her BASI Pilates Teacher Certification. Sydney, who has been dancing since age three, studied on full merit scholarship at Butler where she performed many leading roles for Butler Ballet, including The Sugar Plum, Winter Fairy, and worked with choreographers Jennifer Archibald and Maria Konrad. Sydney was first introduced to Pilates around age twelve as a way to cross-train and strengthen her body in order to help enhance her ballet technique. In her final year of school at Butler, she re-discovered her love for Pilates training and began to go through BASI Pilates Comprehensive Teacher Training Program. Her goal as an instructor is to help clients appreciate the abilities of their own body, leave each class feeling stronger, and enjoy how Pilates makes them feel! Please help me welcome Syndney to the studio! |
Heather GradkeI'm BASI Faculty and Certified Pilates Instructor by day, somewhat competent mom by night. I am married to the love of my life and somewhat charismatic Rustin Gradke. I have 4 kids that are wonderful sometimes but mostly they just eat a lot. I'm a lover of God and movement and the occasional bowl of queso. Archives
July 2025
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