back to work!
following my stroke I am thrilled to be back to work, im not yet ready to do in person training yet, so im adding a weekly mat class to my virtual teaching schedule. every tuesday at 2pm join me for
ONLINE Real Orthodoxy Class the exceptional Emily Hoffman, will instruct this authentic online group class which will explore the Original 34 Mat exercises laid out in Joseph Pilates' own, "Return to Life through Contrology" book. Emily will share a quote from Joseph Pilates' "Return to Life" book each class which will serve as a theme as you explore the intricate system of movement Joe Pilates created and the reason behind the order in which each sequence occurs. This class is appropriate for all instructors, apprentices, and clients with a strong practice who are looking for a deeper understanding of the work and wish to build on the fundamentals of the system. New clients are welcome to join as advanced movements can be modified, and value can be gained in seeing the package of this original mat work as a whole.
to sign up click on the photo of joe doing his own mat work
I am proud to be a NASM certified trainer.
The National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) has built its training curriculum on scientific, evidence-based research to create the Optimum Performance Training (OPT) model. OPT model was developed to improve all functional abilities, including flexibility, core stabilization, balance, strength, power, and cardiorespiratory endurance in ways that match your body's abilities, limitations, and goals.
With over a decade of experience training individuals of all fitness levels I am very excited to apply the OPT model to help my clients be their best.
Some of you know that my life changed dramatically in May 2019. I suffered and survived a massive stroke, a rightside MCA carottid disection that left me paralyzed in the left side of my body with serious cognitive impairments as well. for more info about my recovery, please check at @emilyxsmiley on instagram.
InMay 2019, I left the
Pilates studio where I'd been teaching for almost three years to begin a new position as a personal trainer at Equinox, I was very excited about the new direction I was taking in my career, but everything took a completely unexpected turn when I had a major stroke on May 10,2019 caused by a dissection of my right
InMay 2019, I left the
Pilates studio where I'd been teaching for almost three years to begin a new position as a personal trainer at Equinox, I was very excited about the new direction I was taking in my career, but everything took a completely unexpected turn when I had a major stroke on May 10,2019 caused by a dissection of my right carotid artery I had surgery on May 12, 2019 to remove the right half of my skull to help reduce brain swelling, I was in the neuro ICU for several days, then transferred to the neuro step down unit. I was paralyzed on the left side of my body, couldn't walk or use my arm, as a person whose life was her body, using my body for sport but also for a career, this was all particularly devastating; not that it's not devastating to anyone but it seemed particularly cruel for me.on May 30, 2019 I took my first steps, about 50ft in the hallway at presbyterian hospital, hooked up to a whole contraption that helped me hold myself up on one barely functioning leg while i stepped with the unaffected leg. It certainly wasn't pretty but it was better than not walking at all. my entire reality had changed, I went from squatting my bodyweight to not being able to support my bodyweight on two legs. It's impossible to summarize what those first few weeks after the stroke were like.devastating is the only word I can come up with but from the get go my attitude has been the same. I want my life back and I'm ready to do whatever work needs to be done to get it back. There's no other option. you can follow my recovery on instagram @emilyxsmiley
I'm doing better than was expected but am still far from where I'd like to be. I'm walking with a straight cane which is a huge improvement from being in a wheelchair, which I got rid of in february, to only being able to walk while hooked up to the zero G harness in PT, my arm is slowly coming back to life, I was told early on that the f
I'm doing better than was expected but am still far from where I'd like to be. I'm walking with a straight cane which is a huge improvement from being in a wheelchair, which I got rid of in february, to only being able to walk while hooked up to the zero G harness in PT, my arm is slowly coming back to life, I was told early on that the fingers are usually the last part to come back online, so I'm impatiently waiting for my hand to decide it's time.
even before my stroke I had a particular interest and found great enjoyment working with seniors,
as we age, our bodies change in ways that are sometimes beyond our control, or seem to be beyond our control, our bone density diminishes, muscle tissue reduces, hormonal changes affect our metabolism, and the general wear and tear of a lifeti
even before my stroke I had a particular interest and found great enjoyment working with seniors,
as we age, our bodies change in ways that are sometimes beyond our control, or seem to be beyond our control, our bone density diminishes, muscle tissue reduces, hormonal changes affect our metabolism, and the general wear and tear of a lifetime's use of joints and organs begins to take its toll. our knees and backs ache, but through fitness under the watchful eye of a senior fitness specialist, we don't have to be victims of our biology. strong muscles will help maintain strong bones, proper mechanics will help prevent injury.
having had a stroke at such a young age, I have a unique experience to apply to my training repertoire. as in the past I often worked with people who had similar spinal issues as I did, I can now confidently work with people who have suffered a brain injury. I decided to do one of my NASM continuing professional education courses in senior fitness. so that I have a thorough understanding of working with senior bodies, aging doesn't mean you stop living, or that your best days are behind you. I can help you improve your quality of life, and enjoy your golden years, I've had many senior clients who simply wanted to be able to get down to the floor to play with their grandkids. having a goal to work towards is important, and this has been one of the most common goals amongst my seniors. in the photo above above is Robert.One of his goals was to lift his straightened arms up next to his ears. Something he had never been able to do, (Robert gave me permission to post this photo)All we needed to do was stretch out some weak muscles in his shoulder girdle, and voila, This was after months of hard work. He didn't believe me that he was doing it so I took this picture to prove to him, We both definitely teared up a little.