#loving the scoliosis rep

[vind3miat0r]

fool!Milo canonically has scoliosis. send tweet

[ninjaaa-go]

every once in a while it really just hits me how important representation is

[cripplecharacters]

Mods

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Sasza

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Hi! My name is Sasza and I use he/him pronouns. I am a disabled artist who loves to write and draw characters like me! I am autistic, (mildly) intellectually disabled and have several physical conditions including-but-not-limited-to dyspraxia, severe hyperkyphosis, cranial nerve diseases (causing double vision, chronic pain and a facial difference among other things), and hypermobile joints. Sometimes I use a cane. I'm very passionate about accessibility and disability representation in all kinds of media - books, comics, video games, and any other kind of art that's out there!

Bert

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Hello! I'm Bert (previously Mason), and I use he/they pronouns. I am a writer who loves to write plays and fiction with characters like me and my friends. I am autistic and have ADHD, I have psychotic PTSD and a DID system. Physical health-wise I have migraines, fibromyalgia, and a lateral lisp. I love talking about representation and ways we can make a kinder and more inclusive space everywhere we go.

Sparrow

[large text: Sparrow]

Hi, I’m sparrow, they/he for me. I’m a disabled artist who makes a lot of disabled characters like myself and probably like a quarter of the world. I have autism and ADHD, among other brain things, as well as chronic pain in both my jaw and my knee and ankle. I also have POTS and some sort of sleep disorder. I am a sometimes cane user as well. I really enjoy research and thoughtful art that makes people feel seen. Aside from that, I am a huge fan of historical fiction and really enjoy fantasy as well.

Rot

[Large text: Rot]

My name is Rot, I use all pronouns including neo pronouns as well as any rot and insect themed nounself pronouns. I’m an artist who loves putting disability in my stories. I’m mostly undiagnosed due to medical neglect and have chronic fatigue, hypersomnia & chronic pain that ranges from mild to debilitating. My known disabilities are pots, ganglion cysts, nerve damage, tics, autism (level unknown), asthma, GERD, anxiety and psychosis. I have a metal implant, use a cane and am mostly verbal and use aac infrequently. I have experience with temporary palsy, needing carers (family members who stepped up, not hired carers) and being in a wheelchair, though I currently don't have any of those.

Virus

[Large Text: Virus]

Hello! I go by Virus and I use She/Her but anyone can use any pronouns for me, have fun with it. I'm a writer—mostly fanfiction—who has been in fandom very long and used to be a classical musician. I have Hypermobile Ehler Danlos Syndrome along with it's fun co-morbidities (MCAS, POTS, Gastroparesis, Fibromyalgia, and Von Willebrandes). I also have Pan-Hypopituitarism which is the following: Adrenal Insufficiency, Hypothyroidism, Diabetes Insipidus, Precocious Puberty, Growth Hormone Deficiency, Hyperprolactinemia/galactorrhea, as well as High Estrogen and Testosterone issues. I have Pituitary Dwarfism/Proportional Dwarfism, Myoclonic Epilepsy, and a Speech Disorder. I used to have a Port-a-cath, Picc-Lines, and a feeding tube, amongst many other things. Phew, now that that's over. I love every art form with a favour towards music, writing and the fiber arts. I love seeing representation no matter how big or small especially in medias that rep is often glossed over!

Rock

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Hi! I am Rock; any pronouns are okay. I am a writer, mainly of sci-fi and fantasy, and I love adding all sorts of disabled characters. I am hard of hearing (mild-moderate bilateral hearing loss) and have profound auditory processing disorder. I have scoliosis, POTS, and lower-body muscle weakness so I am a full-time mobility aid user. I am also intersex; I have several hormone deficiencies among other conditions as a result of my intersex variation. I am excited to join the mod team!

Aaron

[Large Text: Aaron]

Hey, I'm Aaron, he/him. I'm a writer of fantasy, science fiction, dystopia, utopia, and historical, and I like writing incorporating casts of disabled characters into all of them and reworking magic, technology, and science to accommodate them. I have a TBI, a lot wrong with my speech, cognitive issues, slight developmental disability, myofascial pain syndrome, medium support needs autistic but fully verbal, OCD, multiple types of anxiety, PTSD, depression, severe ADHD, dyslexia, dysgraphia, articulatory initiation anomia, medically significant migraines, a chronic headache, chronic pain, and chronic fatigue. I'm also visibly disabled (one of those people who looks autistic) and transmasc. And I can't wait to see what amazing things you guys come u with.

Zohar

[Large Text: Zohar]

Hello everyone! I'm a new mod, and you can call me Zohar. I'm a writer of fantasy and sci-fi for the most part, and definitely prioritize disability, LGBT, and Indigenous representation in my work. I am Blind with a form of Albinism/strabismus/ptosis, along with some hearing loss. I am intersex/transgender with mixed gonadal dysgenesis (XO/XY Turner Syndrome) that goes hand in hand with GHD/pituitary dwarfism and affects my skeletal and hormonal health. I also have POTS and complex DID caused by RAMCOA and am comfortable answering asks about that. He or She pronouns is fine with me. I can't wait to help out here!

Icarus

[Large Text: Icarus]

Hello all! My name is Icarus (He/Him). I'm a new mod here and a writer of original work (Primarily contemporary short fiction and cosmic horror) with some fanfiction on the side. I have been diagnosed with ADHD, autism, PTSD, Tourette's Syndrome along with several other mental and physical health conditions. I also had epilepsy, asthma, and a heart condition as a child but have since grown out of them. I am currently seeking a diagnosis for something causing a few different symptoms including chronic pain, mobility issues, sensitivity in my joints/bones, progressive vision loss (Currently to the point where I have very little to no peripheral vision), and dizziness/fainting episodes. I am a full time cane user at the advice of my physio. I am also a gay trans man and in full-time university studies.

Jess

[Large text: Jess]

Hey y'all! I'm Jess, and I use she/her. I'm 35, and I work full time behind the scenes in the grocery industry (in an office, designing shelf layouts!). I enjoy writing and reading slice-of-life stories mostly. I especially like exploring how certain magical elements can be parallels for disability. I also do art, including some 3D illusion chalk art. As for my disabilities: I have multiple sclerosis, and a few issues that have come from that, including severe permanent damage from optic neuritis. I was briefly 100% blind in my left eye, but a small amount of vision returned. The residual vision causes some hard-to-describe double vision, so I wear a completely opaque occlusive contact lens on my bad eye to help me see more clearly. I also had a period of time when I suffered from paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia, a rare movement disorder. I also have a body-focused repetitive behavior disorder (dermatillomania) and visible scars from that. I'm looking forward to being helpful!

[doodleloverz]

Sorry for being inactive, I haven't been able to make anything new cuz pain and fatigue from Scoliosis but here are some fics and one shots I plan to write soon:

♡Peepaw comic 'script' it's about him talking through his amputation in a calm, positive, lighthearted series of flashbacks of him interacting with his loved ones after his amputation. Something I would love to see more as a disabled person, positive disability rep, so I wanna write it myself.

♡Making up for Lost Time a Splinter redemption fic of sorts. After a few different episodes in the first season of Rise! Splinter realises what a poor job he's done to raise his sons. He's still is the funny lazy Splinter he always is but now he's slowly putting more effort into spending time with each of his sons, teaching them important emotional and life skills, apologising to each of of them, and maybe even unpack some of his own parental issues who knows?

♡Sad Dad Oneshot I was just given this idea the other day so it's not fleshed out at all, but for whatever reason Raph has passed on and it hits Splinter the hardest. He'd probably spend more time with his sons and April, learn more about who Raph was, and overall just mourn the wonderful person his eldest son was.

♡Bad future oc oneshot I made an oc who is a bunny turtle hybrid, the child of Leosagi. In this I'd show the story of how she, like Jr, escaped into the past while showing her upbringing through flashbacks and various descriptions of memories as she and her caretaker run from the Kraang and make their escape.

[milf-harrington]

Not a writing tip, but I wanted to say that a couple of years back, I saw a super super super cute trans animation and it seriously made my heart melt.

It's a comedy short (the animation shorts you see in yt) of a trans masc characters that couldn't take his binder off, like pulling in the front and falling backwards, pulling backwards and hitting the wall, getting your arm stuck when trying to get the straps off first, searching how much a scoliosis surgery costs, pausing to watch a movie, just overall, cute trans positive animation. (He took it off, its okay)

As a enby person who goes by she/they, who is also EXTREMELY clumsy, it was relatable aksmowtpanrux

I really really really wanted to find it again but the last I saw it was 2013 and the channel doesn't exist anymore ;-;

im so sad to know that i wouldn't be able to find it but the little summary you gave was SO CUTE AAAAA i love cute + positive trans rep!!

[loveistswift]

hey girl heyy it’s me emma. i turned 18 on june 13th, the day you announced lover. you made it such a special day for me, it truly was one of the best birthdays. anyways i really really really really really love your song fearless. fearless has helped me through soo much.

i recently graduated high school with high honors. it’s always been a struggle keeping my grades up i’ve always had to work extra hard to keep them up. i wasn’t the girl who had a large friend group. in fact i had very little friends in high school. i always have struggled to face my fears and though i’ve gotten better with facing them, overcoming my social anxiety is still a huge fear of mine. it’s so easy for me to sit behind a screen and bond with people who have things in common with me, like my friends who are online that i’ve made through you. but it’s so much harder to do that in real life. i’ve been bullied all of my life so that doesn’t really make things easier. but through it all, i’ve never given up. i’ve always has you to fall back in. and i’ve always had fearless.

this year is so important for me. i graduated high school. i start college. i end chapters. and i begin chapters. but i also am celebrating 5 years since i had spine surgery for scoliosis. i have a scar that starts near the bottom of my neck and spans all the way down to my hips. i always used to be insecure about my scars, but through fearless i’ve come to appreciate them rather than hate them. last summer at the rep tour i came wearing open back clothing which is something i thought i’d never be able to do. i also openly made a poster and shared my xrays showijg what i’ve been through. i never would’ve been able to do that without you.

you make me so extremely happy and i’m sorry for the long post. i promise i’ll get to my point now. anyways. life hasn’t been easy for me, and i know that life isn’t easy for anyone. but everyone has their coping mechanisms for the things they struggle with. for me, my biggest coping mechanisms stem from you. when i’m faced with anxiety, thinking i can’t do something, i remember that i’m fearless. when i’m sad or having a bad day, i remember that you’re on my side. when i feel like dancing, i put on shake it off. when i feel like crying, well it depends on the day what i put on.

here’s the thing, no matter what my mood is, i can always put on fearless and i remember that’s what i am. some days ill even pull out a sharpie or another permanent marker and write it on my wrist. i have a bracelet that @wildestdreamsforswift made for me and i wear it every day. i keep fearless on the back of my phone case.

here’s my point in all of this mess: there’s nothing i want more than to get it permanently inked onto my skin. i would absolutely love it if you could write it out for me. having it in your handwriting has always been a dream of mine. i love being able to look down at my wrists for reminders when i’m feeling down. and having a reminder from you. that would be the cherry on top of the cake. i love you and i’m so very proud of you. again i’m sorry for the long post but i hope you read some of it.💕

love,

emma

[ellie13swift]

taylor was so happy in the rep and lover eras and ofc fucken scoliosis bronchitis had to come along and ruin it IM JUST SO MAD BECAUSE THIS WOMAN DESERVES MOTHIJG BUT LOVE AND JAPPINESS FJSJFJDJD

[coralovestaylor]

I’ve been seeing so many people do this so in honor of 13 DAYS UNTIL LOVER AKA THE DAY ALL OF US LEAVE THIS EARTH 🌎 anyways here’s 13 facts about me🤩 ~1. I love running. I’ve been running in races since I was 6 and I started track in 5th grade because the coach wanted me to join early💛 I also have done cross country since 6th grade😂 I swear running is the most exhausting mentally and physically sport out there ughh ~2. I love Taylor Swift um yeah you guys already know that because this is a fan page for her but I’m putting this anyway💛 ~3. I love the sims 4 it’s a game on the computer and I’ve had it forever honestly😂 ~4. I live in Montana and I swear I’m the only swiftie that has made a fan account for Taylor here. I haven’t found anyone from Montana so if you know anyone please tell me haha ~5. I almost threw up because i was so excited that I was going to the rep concert I convinced myself that I was probably gonna meet her there and I was so so so excited I literally almost threw up (this was a year ago) ~6. I play the violin and i really really want to learn how to play a Taylor song on it😂 ~7. I’m at the beach right now and it’s helping time pass before lover comes out oh my god!!! I can’t wait ~8. I had a twin sister that died when I was born. So yeah I’m a twin haha ~9. I have scoliosis and the doctors want me to go to physical therapy for it and basically every running season I pull my hamstring ugh ~10. I have anxiety and the hospital also wants me to go to a therapist for it but I believe Taylor is my therapist but I kinda feel like going could be good for me💛 ~11. when I was a baby I got in a car accident and I feel like that could’ve been the start to all my back problems 😂 ~12. My room is all pink and covers with Taylor and cats and I love it (sorry I can’t think of facts about me omg) ~13. I LOVE TAYLOR SWIFT WITH ALL MY HEART 💕@taylorswift https://www.instagram.com/p/B0_tdycniHA/?igshid=13qqcqy4yikaw

[katatak21]

Notes from a Swiftie

@taylorswift I read your 30 things you learned before you’re 30 this morning. I cried when I read about your momma’s cancer being back.

I know what it feels like to have both of your parents having cancer. It’s a true emotional rollercoaster worrying if they will be strong enough to keep fighting through the tough treatments...praying at night that they win the fight, and then never having to experience it again. I will keep your mom in my thoughts and prayers.

I cannot even comprehend some of the terrible things you have experienced, in a very short period of time. I hate that people can get online and be hateful, for no other reason than to make someone else feel bad about themselves.

BUT at the same time, I hope you still hear your true fans, and how much we truly love and adore you. I may be a “distant family” fan, but I am a true fan. I believe in you. I believe in who you are.

If you think I’m going to tell you that you are 🔥, you might be waiting a really long time...but, I will tell you that you are ☀️ on a 🌧 day! Your music not only helped me get through tough days, but your music has been with me on my very best days! One day, if you ever have an opportunity to meet my husband, ask him to sign a rep song...he’s really good at it!

One last thing, I know what it feels like to be that little girl, hiding in a bathroom stall, silently crying because no one can see who you really are inside. I wore a back brace for a double major scoliosis, was kicked, pushed, made fun of...kid. It didn’t stop with just kids, adults, teachers, all treated me like I was deformed, disabled. I placed first in the frisbee throw and outran the girls in my groups, but two teachers said I wasn’t allowed to participate in the school olympics day. They made me a 2nd alternate in the frisbee throw, but said I wouldn’t be needed. God has a funny way of teaching us lessons. After crying in the bathroom, and feeling bad about who I was, I decided to go anyway. All of the kids in front of me were all sick that day. I was told I would be competing for our school in the frisbee throw after all. I was the very last student to throw. I stepped up, closed my eyes and prayed, took a deep breath and let the frisbee go...it floated like it had wings, and landed in the middle of the circle with the softest thud. Perfectly centered. That was the day that I made a promise to myself, that I would never let anyone tell me there was something that I couldn’t do...💗💗💗

[witchywill0w]

Loving the scoliosis rep we get from Camilo

Encanto modern AU

[dare-i-say-asexual]

(1) Hi I'm doing a project on LGBT representation in the media (mainly tv, movies or books) and I tried to message you but I'm on mobile and it's just won't let me so I was wondering if you could answer some questions (and if you don't you can just delete this ask) and anyone running this account can answer them and I'll send you the questions in a second ask

(2) the questions Name? Age? Pronouns? What was the first LGBT character you saw or read about? Are there any LGBT characters that you look up to or enjoy to read/ watch? How important do you feel like LGBT rep is? Do you feel like we need more LGBT rep? Do you feel like we need more LGBT rep in kids or adult media? Anything else you want to say about LGBT rep? Thank you and it would be really helpful if as many people answered as possible (your blog is great btw)

–

Oh yay an interview!!

My name is Wen, but everyone calls me mod w bc our names are supposed to be concealed or whatever. But I have nothing to hide so!

I’m 19 going on 80 bc I feel super old and my hip bones are not what they used to be (p sure I have scoliosis also I got in a bad sporting injury). I also go by they/them and he/him, and I’m not bothered by either or.

Uhh I never really saw any LGBT characters growing up other than Blue from Blue’s Clues, where she was in love with Magenta. Right now I just look up to the gay characters in overwatch, bc it fills my special interest of both LGBT characters and videogames.

Of course we need more LGBT representation in the media! I want it to be normalized for everyone young and old, because some people repress their internalized hatred for way too long. And I want older people to come to terms with their sexuality after years of pretending to be cis and straight. Also kids should learn to be able to freely express themselves rather than to imitate and pretend to be straight in a homophobic society or cis in a transphobic society. Repression leads to self doubt and then soon self hatred. It worries me.

Thank you for asking these questions! I hope these answers are up to par!

[weightloss18-blog1]

I Trained at OPEX for 2 Months & Here’s What Happened

New Post has been published on http://designweightloss.com/i-trained-at-opex-for-2-months-heres-what-happened/

I Trained at OPEX for 2 Months & Here’s What Happened

Hi, guys!

If you follow CNC on Instagram, you probably saw my fitness adventures at OPEX South Shore. I shared them pretty much everyday I went as part of a partnership with the owner, Bobby Scott. Our partnership was 2 months long, so I’m no longer working out at OPEX, but it was a tough decision to stop since I saw such great results. I might actually go back in the fall when things settle down – more on that below.

OPEX is a nationwide chain of fitness facilities that offer personalized one-on-one programing and coaching. The core of OPEX is based in functional fitness (the founder was a CrossFit guy), and your workouts are tailored to your individual needs, goals, lifestyle, and more. Your coach creates your workout plan, which progresses and changes from week-to-week. You use the OPEX facility like a regular gym and on your own schedule. There aren’t any classes, so you can pop in for your workout during “open gym” hours. I actually really liked this aspect of OPEX with regard to my morning schedule. I was typically in and out in about 45 minutes, and I worked out 3 times per week (with 1-2 CrossFit workouts mixed in).

I initially started OPEX after dealing with a number of injuries due to muscle imbalances and scoliosis. Here’s the full story. Obviously, I love CrossFit, but the workouts are created for a class, and I really needed something more personalized if I wanted to deal with my (ugh, frequent) injuries and imbalances, and this is where OPEX South Shore came in.

I actually learned about OPEX South Shore through friends, who did an InBody assessment at our local Lululemon store. (Local readers: OPEX does free assessments at the location at the Derby Street Shoppes about once a month.) They told us about their experience, including how the InBody assessment identifies muscle imbalances. Obviously, I was intrigued. The next day, I sent an inquiry to Bobby to see what OPEX was all about.

Latest Videos

My first session at OPEX included an InBody assessment followed by one of three 60-minute assessments where Bobby tested a number of aspects of my fitness – everything from Bench Press and Pull-Ups to my cardio capacity via Airdyne bike. It was quite comprehensive and much more so than any other fitness assessment that I’ve ever done.

OPEX is big on testing, so this initial assessment was my starting point for working together. Typically, clients complete their InBody assessment monthly and fitness assessment as needed – it just depends on the client. I ended up pushing out my assessments to the 2-month mark because “I didn’t think I’d see much change.” Well, to my surprise, I saw quite a bit of change!

MY RESULTS

Body composition

When I did my InBody assessment after 2 months, I was so surprised by the results because I really didn’t think my body changed all that much. I definitely FELT better because I wasn’t beating myself up like I had been in the past at CrossFit, but I didn’t realize this more personalized training would benefit me so much. I actually think NOT stressing out my body  and working out LESS was really good for it. Additionally, I was counting macros and paying attention to my diet, so I’m pretty sure the good nutrition and proper fueling gave me results too.

As you’ll see below, my weight on the scale went up a little more than a pound as well as my muscle mass, which increased 3 pounds. Holy cow! My body fat percentage went down 3%, which just shows you the scale does not tell the whole story.

A little side story: I shared these results on Instagram Stories and received so many questions from followers asking how tall I am. On a good day, I’m 5’4″. I then received a lot of replies commenting that it doesn’t look like I “weigh that much.” Again, the scale is not an accurate measurement of body composition or progress toward your goals.

Muscle imbalances

Because I have scoliosis, I will always deal with muscle imbalances, but OPEX helped to even them out a bit – or at least make my arms and legs more proportional to one another overall.

Left arm

5.97 pounds –> 6.37 pounds

123.3% –> 134.6%

Right arm

6.11 pounds –> 6.44 pounds

130.2% –> 135.9%

Left leg

16.14 pounds –> 16.91 pounds

108.7% –> 113.0%

Right leg

16.07 pounds –> 16.65 pounds

108.2% –> 111.4%

Strength gains 

Close Grip Bench Press: Increased by 5.26% (100 pounds)

Strict Press: Increased by 6.67% (80 pounds)

Weighted Dip: Increased by 30% (32.5 pounds)

Weighted Pullup: Increased by 20% (30 pounds)

Strict Knees to Elbow: Increased by 300% (15 reps)

The increase in Knees to Elbows was crazy. I could only do 3 strict during my initial assessment, but 2 months of serious core work made all the difference – and I couldn’t believe how easy they were to do! Holy gains!

On the CrossFit front, I finished “Murph” (a hero WOD) a whole 3 minutes faster than the previous year, which is a huge improvement – AND I did the workout by myself and not in a class, so I definitely wasn’t going all out. I can only imagine how much faster I would have been with the community support. Even still, I credit OPEX with this time improvement!

Overall, I’m so pleased with my experience at OPEX South Shore. It was a hard decision to stop going because I saw so many awesome results. Sadly, I’m not sure I can swing a membership there + my CrossFit membership. OPEX is not cheap (double the price of CrossFit per month). I really love CrossFit and my friends there, so I’m still on the fence about what to do. OPEX definitely gives you results, but I enjoy working out in a class setting more. OPEX also doesn’t have childcare.

My plan moving forward is to treat my CrossFit class workouts more like the ones that I did at OPEX (i.e. single-limb movements, focus on core and glutes) and not go all out during them. I’m too old for that! 😉 I also plan to do more low-key strength training like I did at OPEX – most days I didn’t even break a sweat, but I realize my body likes these workouts quite a bit!

Question of the Day

Have you ever heard of OPEX? What are your thoughts on one-on-one/personalized training?

What I’m Loving Lately 116

Morning Ice Cream Delivery

[tsgmainlinephiladelphia]

MAKE YOUR NEXT MOVE: LSF PILATES

When I stumbled upon LSF Pilates last summer while distributing local Scout Guides in Wayne, I was immediately curious to learn more about this boutique fitness studio and meet the owner, Liz McKee, to discover what her local studio was all about. Located at 245 Conestoga Road - just one block from downtown Wayne, I was delighted to learn that the studio offers Pilates, Barre, and Rebounder classes for all levels of fitness. Being someone who has only ever done mat Pilates for the last 20 years, I was up for the challenge to try out the piLENGTH class which focuses on range of motion and stretching out the larger muscles.  What I learned within the first few minutes of the class was that I have practically been doing Pilates wrong all these years! This is the result and difference between doing videos at home and taking a proper Pilates class with an instructor who has a BS in Vertebrate Physiology and focuses her efforts on assuring that each client has proper form and alignment without creating imbalances. Taking that class with Liz truly opened my eyes to realizing the importance of getting maximum results from Pilates, Barre, and/or Rebounders through an exceptional instructor who is there to support you throughout the entire class.  Classes at LSF Pilates are intentionally small and provide hands-on, semi-private instruction to safely transform your body. I absolutely love the sun lit space and the feeling that you are truly cared for through an intimate experience with any of the fabulous instructors at LSF Pilates.  

I took a few minutes to sit down with Liz McKee and learn more about how she came to start LSF Pilates, and what kind of experiences we can all benefit from by choosing to take a class at this studio over so many others out there. This is what Liz had to say…

LSF Pilates has a rather intimate boutique feel to the studio that immediately draws you in and makes you feel right at home.  Congrats on your success here at LSF. Tell me how your journey began with Pilates and how you got to this place of owning your own studio here in the heart of Wayne.

Thanks Laurie! I started Pilates DVDs in high school when Winsor Pilates was big. I had never heard of Pilates at that point and it intrigued me because it was so different then typical strength training workouts. To be honest though…I quit after 2 months because I was not seeing any results. I didn’t realize I was doing all the exercises but using the incorrect sequence of muscles. You really have to work individually with a knowledgeable instructor in order to get any of the benefits from the exercises.

A couple years later, I gave it another try after a bad ankle sprain playing field hockey. This time I was at a studio under the direction of good instructors. I was amazed with how differently all the exercises felt. My body started changing and I was learning how to carry myself better. I started working at the front desk so I could afford more classes, and I got to learn so much about Pilates and the wellness industry. It was a great job in high school! I decided to get certified in Mat Pilates as my Senior Project at Harriton High School.

When I left for college I missed my Pilates classes so much (the ones at Penn States gym were not great). I found a local dance studio that did Mat Pilates and had a reformer. After my freshman year, the owner asked if I would teach classes. I began teaching up to 10 hours a week of classes and private sessions. I spent my summers at home teaching full time.

My interest in the body led me towards a degree in Biology with hopes of Physicians Assistant school after graduation. Luckily, I did not get into the PA program in Philadelphia that I applied to, so I continued with my true passion of teaching. Fast forward three years post-graduation in 2013, and LSF Pilates was born! I have been open for over five years and have been doing Pilates for half my life.

What kind of unique experience do you strive to create for each of your clients who attend one of your special classes?

Great question! Everyone’s body has different strengths, limitations, and degrees of awareness. I try to give each client a tailored workout even within the class. I keep the class size small (6 persons max), and I try to go over any restrictions with new clients. For instance, if one client has scoliosis I might give them a completely different exercise or have them go the opposite direction.  Some of my clients have been taught by me for 8 years, and have vast knowledge of anatomy and a great deal of body awareness.  I am able to put new clients in classes with them and still give everyone a great workout without anyone getting bored or feeling lost. It is all about exercise selection, class flow, and using the correct tactile and verbal cues. No one leaves without muscles shaking at some point.

I am also a student of the body, and constantly learning and passing that information along to my students. I recently did a mind-blowing course in NeuroKinetic Therapy that confirmed and explained so many of my common corrections and adjustments I would make to client’s movements. So much more to say on this topic--- try a class and you will see! Something I hear often from new clients that come from another studio is, “Wow, I have never felt that muscle before.” …I don’t allow improper form! 

What are some of your signature classes that keep clients coming back for more?

I have 3 signature classes that should all be taken together in order to reap the most benefits.

piLENGTH is our slowest class that focuses on range of motion and uses Myofascial release techniques and stretching to quiet the common larger facilitator muscles (example: upper traps, calves, some of the hip flexors, and neck extensors) that create dysfunctional muscle patterns. It doesn’t matter how heavy you can lift… if you are recruiting the wrong muscles, you are creating imbalances in the body that will cause pain and injury. Gym rats: this is a good class to start in!

piSTRENGTH is our 45 minute muscle burning class. Sitting on your butt all day? This class will reverse the negative effects of the sedentary lifestyle. We focus on waking up those underused muscles (glutes, core, all posture muscles) and working them to the max…but not past. Every rep is done with precision, and when you feel like you can’t do another rep, we hold it!

piFLOW is the perfect combo of the above two classes. We lengthen the tight facilitating muscles and we strengthen the weak inhibited muscles. Everyone floats out of the studio feeling well balanced and ready to take on the world.

You will never get bored of any of the above classes because each time you come, you will be doing different exercises or variations on different equipment. Your mind and body will learn how to work together in this way to create a functional motor control center. However, this does not happen after one class or ten. LSF Pilates is a commitment that your body will thank you for years and years. Fact: oldest client is 85 years young and rocking it. 

With so many pilates, yoga and barre studios popping up around the area, what is the special factor that separates LSF Pilates from other studios on the Main Line?

We are so lucky to live in an area with so many choices! I love trying everything. I pull things I learn from other disciplines and incorporate the things I like into my classes. There is something to be said about doing a little bit of everything. I think some of the studios (for instance Barre franchise studios) can get a little repetitive. They can also get overcrowded and it can be very easy to perform exercises incorrectly because the instructors are not able to get around and correct form. When you do 30 reps incorrectly, and you go to a few classes a week, you are going to get injured quickly.

At LSF, you are taught how to do movements properly in hopes that your motor control center will stop some of the dysfunctional movement patterns in daily activities. All of us have picked up some bad habits over the years. These can be reversed with proper instruction. 

What are you proudest about when it comes to LSF Pilates? Additionally, what do you love about being a local business owner in our area?

I am really proud of the dedicated following I have gained. These clients have trusted me with their bodies, and they are all very well educated and some very particular, which they should be. I work with all types of bodies from individuals with neurological issues to professional athletes (a Philadelphia Eagle currently). I learn something from every client I have the pleasure of working with, and I try to pass along some of my knowledge to them. I take pride in helping others so they can help themselves outside the studio.

When I opened this studio, I thought I knew it all. When I look back, I realize how little I knew in comparison to now. In another 5 years I hope to look back on today and think the same - having gained even more knowledge and to be helping even more people. 

It was easy to want to SCOUT out LSF Pilates for The Scout Guide.  This boutique fitness studio embodies what we seek in local businesses every day through authenticity and creating a beautiful, simple, well-curated life to be proud of.  Classes at LSF Pilates are challenging for sure, which make you feel so much better about yourself and have you always coming back for more. Swing on by, try out a class and tell them The Scout Guide sent you!

Your Editor,

Laurie

LSF Pilates 

245 Conestoga Road

Wayne, PA 19087

www.lsfpilates.com 

Instagram: lsfpilates

Photos by Rachel McGinn Photography

[capesandlace]

personal meme

I was tagged by @irresistible-revolution​ 👌😃 🎉

Rules: Answer the questions in a new post and tag 20 blogs.

A—Age: 24

B—Birthplace: Toronto, Canada

C—Current Time: 11:30 AM, EST

D—Drink You Last Had: Coffee

E—Easiest Person To Talk To: I have no idea.

F—Favourite Song: I am OBSESSED with “Bad Liar” by Selena Gomez rn, but “Fireflies” by Owl City is my favorite song.

G—Grossest Memory: In the second grade, I was sent to school sick (because I always faked sick, and my mom didn’t believe me the one time I was actually sick--go figure). Our desks were set up in the square formation, so I had a few desks lined up next to me on each side. I threw up all over my desk, and it naturally went to the desks next to me, and someone’s shoes. 

H—Horror Yes or Horror No: Yes! I like to be scared now, but I still will not sleep that night (but what else is new?).

I—In Love: I will tell you when it happens.

J—Jealous of People: I am not really a jealous person. My mom is an extremely jealous and envious person, so I learned very quickly that it’s not worth it. I think I am very equity-minded, so if someone gets something that they didn’t work as hard on as myself or others, I will complain about it, and people have said I was jealous? I don’t know.

L—Love at First Sight or Should I Walk By Again: As @irresistible-revolution​ said: “I need to talk to you first”.

M—Middle Name: It starts with a J...

N—Number of Siblings: One.

O—One Wish:  I just want to be smarter.

P—Person You Called Last: My organization's sales rep at a staffing agency.

Q—Question You Are Always Asked: Why don’t you drink?

R—Reason to Smile: Being in nature, watching a good movie/tv show, hanging out with friends, food, coffee, exploring, learning.

S—Song You Sang Last: “Bad liar” by Selena Gomez

T—Time You Woke Up: 8:30 AM. I slept in for once lol.

U—Underwear Colour: Multi 🌈

V—Vacation Destination: Like, planned ones? I need more information! lol. I hope to go to visit my grams in Poland in November. I am going to Newfoundland in the summer; hopefully visit more of Canada’s parks (they are free this year).

W—Worst Habit: Picking at the skin around my nails ☹️

X—X-Rays: I had to take a lot when I was diagnosed with scoliosis, and have to take them every now-and-then to see how my back is doing after the surgery.

Y—Your Favourite Food: Kluski na parze (Polish steamed yeast dumplings) with gravy.

Z—Zodiac Sign: Pisces Sun, Virgo Moon, Pisces Mercury, Ares Venus, Cancer Mars, Libra Jupiter, Aquarius Saturn, Capricorn Uranus, Capricorn Neptune, and Scorpio Pluto. I’m sorry, I just spent twenty-minutes reading up on my signs again lol.

I am tagging anyone who wants to do this 😊