25/05/2021
Original post 2018 how times passes us so quickly
Hello A little about myself and how I became a Pilates instructor. 2017 I started my Pilates training with Mrs Fiona Brown at the Energywise academy Portabello traveling to edinburgh monthly ,Fiona is fabulous ,when I felt a bit overwhelmed she would sit and go through everything with me answers would then come from myself ,(she’s very clever that way) she truly is a first class mentor (as I had not done mega sitting writing reading for years ,plus the commute .which I started to loved I found it tricky at first) loved the study ,loved Edinburgh ,felt alive ,inspired and focused .I was sad when course finished ,look forwards to many workshops to come I’m now delighted to say I qualified as a level 3 mat Pilates instructor ... (I went back for more training with Fiona last year and also am a qualified level 2 gym instructor). I am a young 52 year old , was diagnosed with Functional Neurological Disorder late December 2018,many years previously ,I had been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia along with osteo arthritis & hyper mobility ..chronic cluster migraines..TMJd.& widespread neuropathic pain . I have always exercised as a child I enjoyed competitive swimming,karate as a teen .gym/aerobics ..scuba diving was always active etc, But always had pain .due to fibrositis neck and lumber areas at 22 I was medically advised to keep up with specific physio exercises or risk becoming deformed (in my spine,as I have a slight scoliosis) id also sustained numerous physical traumas, water skiing (shoulder and back injury )quad biking (spinal injury) whiplash twice (stock car racing accident at 15) I had moved to Australia 1996 where I was very much into exercise due to marital stress ,was looking to train to become a personal instructor when my marriage ended back in 2003 ,I sadly started having vascular headaches on top of migraines and problems with my knees... i returned to my home town of Banff Scotland in 2006 where I restarted my hairdressing business ......... sadly I sustained serious injuries in a RTA IN 2007 i was driving and alone (thank god🙏🏼) I rolled 5/6 times down an embankment from slippy u bend ,I suffered from concussion for over 6 months .spine was in a really bad way . very deep bruising and my jaw had taken a bad impact from head smacking off roof of car ...... as physio could only do so much...I decided to further rehabilitate myself ,it took me over a year.i started by popping a thin float under my rib cage and did legs only 1 length of swimming pool got out went bk did 2 lenghths next day 3 etc after 3 months I could only just pull & gently use my upper body after 6 months was swimming again 1year 90% functional tho still suffering from chronic neuropathic pain which is relentless 24/7 never stops .was on a lot of medication (still am )...I was in a recycle centre where I found all wrapped up in plastic my very first book and cd on Pilates so that kicked off my intro to Pilates .i later had a wonderful teacher /friend who helped me so much to get even more function especially from my spine and core ...she moved away to Spain my second teacher moved to stonehaven at this time no other teachers here , what to do I was in a dilemma living 13years with daily pain( is very hard to comprehend.)ive been so Determined not to let these health issues constrain my life. I decided to go train and learn to teach .I personally have to work hard most days to build strength and balance.with flexibility.im in pain if i move or don’t... I can’t sit long or stand still for minutes , I choose to move, i practise Yoga every week.so I went on to succesfully conquer yet another course the yoga foundational course 2 years ago in Aberdeen with yoga Scotland ............. I am stronger than the constant pain from these conditions. An inspirational quote I found was “PAIN DEMANDS TO BE FELT” indeed it does ,boy yes ,do I feel it ,I acknowledge it,but I need to create balance pace myself or it will scream at me ,I do go to bed to rest,most days THO I REFUSE! to stay there .the best feeling for me ,is when I get great feedback from all my lovely Pilates clients, on the benefits they reap from coming and participating in their Pilates,,,
We are all stronger than we think we are and can achieve almost anything we set our minds too.even if you don't its fun and rewarding to try
