Jenny (82) loves Pilates!

Jenny is a client at the studio of Olga Tamara. Her 82nd birthday was on June 6th 2015!  She was born and grew up in South Australia. Get inspired by this Pilates fan!

My favourite studio is the sunny and beautifully designed, Authentic Pilates Studio in Lilyfield NSW 2040.  The Trainer & owner is Olga Tamara, who teaches with great passion. 

Can you tell the readers something about yourself?

I trained as a nurse as a young woman  before marrying at the age of 22 and having a young family.  My children were close in age and by the time I was in my late thirties, they were well on the way, which caused me to ask myself – ‘What next?’

What next was a little education. I was 40 when we moved to Melbourne where I did a degree in the History & Philosophy of Science followed by one in Social Work, after which I worked in hospitals as a social work practitioner and educator in Sydney and the US. 

My health is usually  good and I am quite active, thus find Pilates suits me perfectly. And happily, because I live at Glebe in the inner West of Sydney, commuting to my class is not a problem.

I very much like stretching my body and being encouraged to focus on different parts of my body.

When did you start with Pilates and how many times per week do you do Pilates?  

I needed to get into shape following abdominal surgery just before my 75th birthday and a friend recommended Pilates. I do a private session twice a week.

We work on strength and alignment constantly

What is your favourite apparatus and which exercises do you love the most?

Probably the reformer is my favourite.apparatus and my favourite exercises are those with a stretch – for my lower and upper back and for my legs.

I had a mastectomy 15 years ago and when I began Pilates it was clear I had to work on imbalances in my  movement pattern due to the way I was holding myself for all those years. We work on strength and alignment constantly.

Do you have a physical problem with Pilates?

 No great physical problem, except my neck and upper back are not as flexible as they used to be.

What do you like about Pilates?  Is there something you dislike? 

I had a mastectomy 15 years ago and when I began Pilates it was clear I had to work on imbalances in my  movement pattern due to the way I was holding myself for all those years. We work on strength and alignment constantly.

I very much like stretching my body and being encouraged to focus on different parts of my body.  I also enjoy the fun. Serious exercise, but lots of laughs! There is a great camaraderie at the studio. 

There is nothing I dislike, except perhaps ‘Rolling like a ball’ which I am bad at – probably due to lack of flexibility in my lower back.

I shall continue with Pilates for as long as I can move my body.

What is your favourite studio and who is the trainer and owner?

I do a private session twice a week.

My favourite studio is the sunny and beautifully designed, Authentic Pilates Studio in Lilyfield NSW 2040.  The Trainer & owner is Olga Tamara, who teaches with great passion. 

Did your life change since Pilates?

Absolutely. I’m fitter, more flexible, conscious of my body and having fun with younger  people. My hope is to achieve more of the above and to remember the steps of Every Exercise Every Day!

Probably the reformer is my favourite.apparatus

What do you think of the future of Pilates?

I shall continue with Pilates for as long as I can move my body.  I just hope the real essence Pilates doesn’t get lost in all the quick teacher training courses that are available these days. 

Do you have any funny stored to tell?

I think Olga Tamara, my teacher has plenty of funny Pilates stories about me and Pilates – mostly what I forget.  She gives me “that look” when I say to her “Oh that’s new…I haven’t done that before!!!”.

My tip about Pilates.

Just Try it – and as Olga says to me every week when I dare to say “I can’t” she says….  “Yes, You Can! “