What I love so much about Jessica's story is how she maintained her pilates practice throughout her diagnosis and treatment of Stage 4 Breast Cancer. Not only did she cling to her pilates, she choose to continue living her life, purposed to move and restore herself in mind, body and spirit and eventually opened her own pilates studio in the midst of treatment. How inspirational!
Pilates is beneficial for all breast cancer survivors. Jessica happened to have prior experience with pilates prior to her diagnosis, and was able to modify her workouts accordingly to help her recover from surgery and adjuvant treatments. She is now able to "pay it forward" and help other survivors. Although Jessica had prior experience in pilates, lack of pilates experience should not deter any woman from exploring and incroporating pilates into her recovery plan.
Studens of any fitness level can start pilates. It is important however, that survivor's without experience seek out a certified pilates instructor with a background in injuries and special populations, and has experience in working with breast cancer survivors.
Pilates exercises need to be modified for a survivor and these modifications will be dependant on factors such as stage of cancer, stage of treatment, removal of lymph nodes, type of reconstruction, pain management, amount of time passed since surgery, staging of chemotherapy and/or radiation just to name a few.
Additionally, an instructor certified to work with breast cancer survivors understands that progression and periodization of exercises will be unique to the survivor.
For more information about Jessica or Emory University in Atlanta, please contact Nicole Anderson at nicole.anderson@emory.edu.
For a wonderful article on how to Rebuild the Foundation through the use of Pilates please visit IDEA (International Dance Exercise Association) http://www.ideafit.com/fitness-library/pilates-and-breast-cancer-rebuilding-foundation
For more information about the therapeutic benefits of pilates training for the breast cancer survivor, or to schedule a session, please feel free to contact me, Deb Preachuk at your convenience.
Peace and health,
Deb Preachuk
www.pilatesintegration.com