December 25, 2007
What worked for me
Joan Esterline Lafuze, 70, Indianapolis, systems medical physiologist, Indiana University East in Richmond
When I was a kid, I was an athlete -- a swimmer. My husband, my son and I have belonged to NIFS (National Institute for Fitness and Sport) since 1989. We had been working out regularly, but I was ready to try something that would be coached closely.
On my way to gaining tenure, I became more sedentary. I had done some mat work with Pilates and a very little bit of yoga. That's when I knew I was losing flexibility. When I stood up, I noticed it took me longer and I had more discomfort when moving. Standing on one leg to put your clothes on -- those things became more difficult.
I was ready to move to a higher level of functioning and fitness. Between three and four years ago, my adult daughter and I started having duet personal training sessions with Memer Hoeltzel at NIFS on the Pilates Reformer. We'd do it once a week for 45 minutes.
As we mature, we lose not only our flexibility, but also our ability to get up and get down. With the Reformer, you get help with that. When I started with Pilates, I began to notice I was stronger. I lost at least one dress size. Pilates helps you concentrate better and be intentional about connecting your cognitive abilities with your movements.
Many people my age have fallen. But I've become so aware of my body that I'm more intentional about how I move. You're basically managing your body, not letting your body do what it wants to do.
There are breathing patterns you have to do as you are working out. How you inhale and exhale has a lot to do with enhancing your movement. It definitely has a carry-over effect in your work -- how you sit, how you move and how you breathe. It's more than a habit; it's more of a way of being.
Because of Pilates, I'm stronger, I move better and I don't get tired as quickly. I also have more ability to lift things, and I have better balance. It's all about developing the core. Before, I couldn't stand on one foot. But I tried that recently and I could stand on one foot for a minute.
Pilates really does help with posture, too. As we mature, we tend to slouch over. Now, I'm very intentional about how I hold my head and position my shoulders. One thing I was amazed about was the stress reduction. If you move your shoulders away from your ears, you can sense a feeling of relaxation.
I'm sort of a crusader for lifelong movement. We go to the fitness center almost every day of the week. It's just a relaxing place to be. We usually go a little later in the evening when it's a little less busy.
When we're finished with the session, I am more relaxed, alert and energized than when I came. That tends to be true with all exercising, but with Pilates it's really true.
-----
Her advice to others to cope with the effects of aging
• Find something that you enjoy that helps you maintain flexibility, builds your strength and improves your ability to concentrate. It doesn't have to be Pilates.
• Talk to a personal trainer to help you put together an exercise routine. Be sure to ask for something to develop your core muscles.
• Keep moving, above all, in your day-to-day life. It's so easy to become sedentary. Make time for moving.
------
As told to Barb Berggoetz at barb.berggoetz@indystar.com.