written by Kathy Celardo, Pure Pilates Instructor
What is your name?
Courtney Zanelli
How long have you been practicing Pilates?
One year.
What inspired you to step into the Pure Pilates studio?
The suggestions of friends and the overall desire to develop strength.
What aspects of Pilates, your instructor, or the studio do you find particularly enjoyable?
I am so grateful to Kathy for her patience and kindness. After three knee replacement surgeries I’ve had trouble restoring mobility and Kathy has helped me tremendously by coming up with alternative ways of doing things that don’t cause additional pain to my joints. She has helped me to gain strength and flexibility and I’m so grateful.
Do you have a preferred Pilates exercise, or one that you find particularly challenging?
Squats have been the most challenging exercise for me ever since my knee replacements, and Kathy has helped me to find ways to do them so it that doesn’t cause my knees so much pain. I tend to like the exercises on the reformer best.
Do you have a perfect Pilates moment or triumph you’ve experienced?
This is such a small thing, but my work with Kathy has allowed me to gain increased range of motion in my knees so that I can now not only do child’s pose, but I can actually get myself up off the floor much more easily than I could after my knee replacement surgeries. My increased strength and ability to kneel are a direct byproduct of my work with Kathy.
Can you share a humorous, captivating, or uplifting anecdote about your experience at Pure Pilates?
Kathy’s patience and kindness coupled with her encouragement are some of her most amazing gifts. When I’m feeling vulnerable or afraid that something will cause me pain she is patient and encouraging. Because of our work together I have gained strength that I didn’t think I had, and I’m excited to keep building on the stills that I have learned with her help.
