Health

An old apparatus system is making people look, and feel, like new.

Beth Friedlaender works out with pilates equipment.

CARI WALDMAN
Special to the Jewish News

I

Pilates Studios

n the '80s, we flocked
• Equilibrium, 6405 Telegraph, Bloomfield
to mega gyms for car-
Hills, (248) 723-6500.
dio funk and aerobic
• The Health Of It, 31815 Southfield,
step classes. The phi-
Beverly Hills, (248) 594-5700.
losophy was clear: The
• Geiger Ballet Studio, 782 Denison Ct.,
sweatier and harder the
Bloomfield Hills, (248) 334-1300.
workout, the better.
• Personal instruction by Michelle Millman,
Then along came person-
Farmington Hills, (248) 489-9082.
al trainers, spinning classes,
yoga and Tae-Bo.
Now, as we approach the next millennium, people are in search of more from
their workout. For the desired mind/body/soul connection, some people are
turning to a 70-year-old conditioning system, called pilates (pronounced puh-
LAH-tees).
Beth Friedlaender of West Bloomfield's journey into the world of pilates
began a year and a half ago, when she could not function without constant pain
in her shoulder. In fact, she had developed a posture problem and was advised
by doctors to stop her sport and exercise activity.
Her occupational therapists and pain medications could offer no permanent
relief. A friend recommended she try pilates, a toning and stretching regimen.
Frustrated that at 24 years old she could not gain control of her pain,
Friedlaender signed up for a private session at the Equilibrium studio in .
Bloomfield Hills.
Eight weeks later, her shoulder pain had disappeared and she had gone down
two dress sizes. Most importantly, she got her life back and felt great.
"People have been saying to me, 'You look so skinny. You look leaner and
almost taller.'" Friedlaender says the reason-that pilates has made such a differ-

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1999

116 Detroit Jewish News

ence in her body is that it targeted her main trouble areas — it lifted her bot-
tom, slimmed her hips and flattened her tummy.
It is not mindless pounding on the treadmill, yet not as spiritual as yoga,"
Friedlaender says. Pilates is an hour devoted to myself, where I gain connection
with my body and spirit."
During a typical session, students are coached through personalized rou-
tines. They go from one machine to another, from sitting to reclining to
standing positions. After an intense workout, the student feels limber and
more graceful.
Marsha Miro of Bloomfield Hills exudes strength and energy today.
However, 10 years ago she broke
her collar bone, had two herniat-
ed disks and was living with pain.
Years of physical therapy helped,
she says, but did not make the
Pilates is an exercise without strain to
pain go away.
your heart and internal organs. It
Eighteen months ago, the
improves flexibility of muscles and
former art critic for the Detroit
joints, posture and coordination, and it
Free Press read a story in a
strengthens bones.
national shape magazine about
• A pregnant woman can do pilates.
pilates. Intrigued by the results <
It keeps the body flexible and strong.
For best results, a woman should begin
it was claiming, Miro picked up
the telephone to make an
the program before becoming preg-
appointment at The Health Of
nant.
It, in Beverly Hills.
• A _ n average session is 55 minutes
Now, Miro trains twice a
to an hour and costs $50-$65.
week in focused, one-on-one
• A person can lose inches as well as
pounds.
sessions with a pilates instruc-
tor. She considers herself
• Pilates is for all ages, 16 and up.
streamlined, straighter and

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