Kim Caramella
Pilates Instructor
I heard about Pilates 17 years ago when I was running long distances & lifting weights when it was mentioned I should incorporate Pilates into my training. . I had the typical wear & tear that comes with running and being active. I tore my Achilles & had plantar fasciitis in both feet for 2 years. My wonderful Podiatrist was able to alleviate the fasciitis from my left foot, but my right continued for 6 more years & when it got to the point I was on my toes, we opted for surgery. I believe if I had been doing Pilates then, many if not all of these issues could have been averted.
In 2014 I was bucked off one of our horses while roping & injured my L5, but I kept running in spite of it & would barely be able to walk later in the day. Many nights were sleepless due to the pain & when I could sleep I was propped w/pillows between my legs & wedged behind my back. Mentally was harder than the physical as running was my go to place where I would go to forget problems, work out problems, think of nothing, get centered...my happy place. But now where I once found all this I could only feel the physical pain.
Once my youngest was out of the house, I began looking for a part time job. Club Pilates hired me as a Front Desk and Sales Associate for my love of fitness, and passion for movement and people. I fell in love with the members right away. I started taking so many different classes. I was skeptical it would help my back as I had tried so many things to little or no avail. But I can now say in spite of my skepticism, it truly is helping. I’m running at least 3 days a week & I even have those good weeks of time & little to no pain where I can do 5 days. My mileage is slowly increasing & my times though still far from pre-injury times are decent & on my good days which I now have, I can open up my stride & feel like I’m running with the wind again. No plantar fasciitis to speak of at this point, which I believe is thanks to Pilates. My lifting is great due to Pilates lengthening everything back out. I’m riding my horses, hiking, out on the lake waterskiing, running, lifting & doing Pilates. Pilates has become an integral part of my workout regimen & lifestyle. I am so grateful it found it’s way into my life. I LOVE fitness! I find it vital for my mental health even more than my physical & I am excited to share my passion with others. Life brings us what we need & it knew I needed Pilates. I chose to enroll in Teacher Training so that I can help pass on all of this goodness to others who might struggle! And how blessed am I that the Biggest Little City In The World , where I was born & raised has Club Pilates to offer this? Very blessed!