"Up to January 2001, I had enjoyed a relatively pain free life and enjoyed running, cycling and walking my dog as my main form of fitness. In the January of 2001 during an incident at work, I developed a really stiff back. What followed for the next year was a depressing to and fro from various professionals in the field of chiropractic and physiotherapy. The stiff back had developed into a painful one and due to a severe pain running down the right leg, I was unable to stand for more than a few minutes.
The Police Service were beginning to show concern about my ability to perform normal Policing duties and as such, I was down graded to 'light duties'.
My home and social life became affected as by this stage any exercise was impossible and even walking the dog had become painful and unpleasant. I continued with physiotherapy, however by March of the following year, I was told that my symptons could be psychosomatic and no explanation could be given as to why I could 'sit' with ease, but unable to 'stand' for any length of time.They suggested that perhaps Pilates could offer some relief. I had not had much involvement with my GP up to this stage, but as my desperation grew, I had a consultation and he approved a MRI scan. He also agreed that Pilates was 'worth a go'.
Around April 2002, I met Marcelle for the first time and was relieved to speak with someone whoactually believed that there was a problem and could give an explanation for it! There followed a series of private classes, where slowly but surely, I began to understand what was happening and Marcelle was able to put me back together again. Slowly, the pain began to diminish and very slowly began to get my life back together again. The result of the MRI scan showed that I had a protruding disc that had settled on the sciatic nerve and the follow up visit to the Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon showed that my back had stabilised. His only explanation was that Pilates had allowed me to develop core stability and therefore allowed the back enough stability to function on its own. The operation he was going to suggest was dropped - and all he could say was to carry on with Pilates. He did however mention that I would never run again.
The Pilates continued on a private level until around March 2003. I still go to classes but am now in a class of four, although I like to have a private lesson now and again. In the main, I am completely pain free (unless I do something to affect that) and am now running and cycling again. Of course there are occasionally glitches but I have a growing awareness of my responsibility for the actions I ask my body to perform - unfortunately this is a developing awareness, hence the glitches!
For me, Pilates allowed me to have my life back - and I do not say that lighty, bearing in mind that only last year questions were being asked as to whether I could continue my career!
The exercises are not difficult to perform and Marcelle shows great patience and skill in making sure that they are carried out appropriately. I practise each morning, which also allows me some valuable time to myself. For those recovering from injury, I would recommend private lessons as it gives you the chance to carry out the exercises at your own pace and allows Marcelle to examine you on a one to one basis. It also allows you to progress in your own time and the exercises can be specific to your individual needs.
At the beginning it may all seem somewhat daunting, so I found it useful to be able to speak with Marcelle about what we were doing and why and to go over execises which I was finding hard to practise - including breathing! It takes away the pressure of being in a class so if you have had a bad week, time can be spent getting you back together. I certainly found private classes invaluable because of the intensity - but now am able to benefit from being in a class.
For those wishing to try Pilates for body shaping - I would also thoroughly recommend it - because one of the positive things that has also happened is that so many people have said how well toned I look!"
NEWSFLASH!! On 29th May 2005 Marjory ran the Plymouth half marathon in a time of 1 hour 58 minutes and 35 seconds!
