All my life I have been physically active and fit.  However, as the years have crept upon me, and life grew more complicated, I noticed a gradual but definite decline in many areas that in my youth never seemed to be a problem to manage: weight gain, loss of strength and coordination, less stamina, aches and pains, and a general sense of slowing down and losing control of my health.

At age 56 I knew I was too young to be old.  I realized that I could not rely on the ways I had taken care of myself in the past, so along with some friends, I signed up in Lorrie’s beginning Pilates class once a week. 

Even the first session changed my outlook.  The fact that I had made a decision to be proactive and take charge of my body took away much of the guilt and fear of what was ahead of me.

A year and a half later, I am still participating in class and I have added a private session each week as well.  I have made a commitment that I must do this for myself for the rest of my life. 

As a result of Lorrie’s guidance, I am getting stronger, more flexible, I have better self-image, better habits and because of her expertise in physical therapy, many of my problem areas have been cured or improved.  I’m also getting a great education in anatomy and physiology of the body, which has helped me understand the “whys” of her directions.

I have re-learned that there are no shortcuts to health.  There is no downtime.  If I am not progressing — I am automatically going backward — and I know I DO NOT like to lose ground that I have worked so hard to gain. 

I know that if I am physically fit, I am more likely to be mentally and emotionally fit as well, and I am looking forward to the next 40 years of my life because I can see so many possibilities wide open — just for me.

Jennifer Sorensen, age 57, Teacher, Huntsville, Utah

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