<\/p>\n
At her 35th birthday Pilates and brunch event at the Jaguar Land Rover showroom in St. Andrew last Saturday, lawyer Michelle Thomas-Nelson centered around this practice, which is increasingly part of the conversation around wellness, including Pilates.<\/p>\n
Thomas Nelson started practicing Pilates after becoming a mother in September 2024 and experiencing health complications such as pre-eclampsia and high blood pressure.<\/p>\n
“I said I needed to focus on becoming a complete woman,” she explained. \u201cBeing a full woman means not only being financially stable, but also putting your health first, because health is wealth.\u201d<\/p>\n
Since resuming his health journey in November, Thomas Nelson has lost 28 pounds while juggling his law and political careers.<\/p>\n
“I’m always stressed,” she admitted. “Working out and doing these types of activities can help you manage stress.”<\/p>\n
She now incorporates Pilates alongside her regular gym sessions and Pilates has become part of her lifestyle. “Fitness should be part of our lifestyle,” she said.<\/p>\n
What first-timers should know<\/strong><\/p>\n Alyssa Gafoor, founder of Bl\u014dma Studio, echoed similar sentiments, encouraging Pilates beginners to prioritize consistency. While some newcomers may feel pressured, she recommends creating a sustainable schedule.<\/p>\n “If you can come once a week, that’s great. If you can come twice a week, that’s great,” she said. \u201cRather than coming in five times a week and not coming in the rest of the month, think about what you can do consistently.\u201d<\/p>\n As with any new activity, Pilates beginners should not expect their first class to feel easy.<\/p>\n Ghafoor pointed out that one of the biggest misconceptions is that Pilates is just stretching. Instead, she explains that the practice involves slower movements, which often produce stronger results.<\/p>\n “This isn’t like training in the gym. Faster isn’t always better; it’s slow and controlled,” she says. “At first, a lot of things may sound like Chinese and you have no idea what’s going on, but as you continue to participate, you’ll understand core engagement and gain a deeper understanding of your body.”<\/p>\n She also encouraged beginners to prepare properly before class by eating a balanced diet and communicating openly with instructors about injuries, postpartum recovery, or personal fitness goals.<\/p>\n “Tell your instructor where you are. If you just had a baby or have an injury, let them know, because they’re highly trained and can help you with specific areas where you’re building strength.”<\/p>\n Importantly, she emphasized that Pilates is suitable for everyone, regardless of body type, gender, or fitness level.<\/p>\n \u201cEvery body practices Pilates,\u201d she said. “If you start where you are now, you’ll look back in six months and say, ‘Wow, I’ve come this far.’ Don’t wait until you’ve lost 20 pounds or your child is 5. Start where you are now.”<\/p>\n Ghafoor said men also attend Pilates classes. “We’re not just talking about women…There are a lot of classes now that are half filled with men. For example, I think men are starting to understand the benefits for their bodies: how to run faster and reduce injuries in CrossFit and other activities.”<\/p>\n Thomas Nelson, who invited family, friends and colleagues to a Pilates session for his birthday, said having others practice Pilates was intentional.<\/p>\n “A lot of my friends said, ‘Oh my God, that was so good. It was so therapeutic. I’m definitely going to start doing Pilates,'” she said. “It was more for exposure, because it’s hard to get people to do it. But once you bring them something and they experience it, it becomes easier.”<\/p>\n Even those attending Thomas Nelson’s Birthday Pilates sessions for the first time found the experience familiar, including one pregnant participant, Shereen Myers-Robinson, who said the classes were modified to allow her to move comfortably.<\/p>\n Meyers-Robinson described her experience positively and encouraged other pregnant women interested in Pilates to prepare in advance.<\/p>\n \u201cI was coached on how to practice and modified some movements.\u201d<\/p>\n What advice would you give to other pregnant women considering Pilates? “There’s something in front of me.”<\/p>\n And while beginners may be initially discouraged by the unsteady movements and unfamiliar terminology, Ghafoor says people begin to notice changes in both their mind and body.<\/p>\n “The more you practice, the more you feel and see the results and the more you want to come back,” she explained. \u201cYour mind becomes calmer, your body becomes stronger, and your confidence increases.\u201d <\/p>\n ruth-ann.briscoe@gleanerjm.com<\/em><\/p>\n \n<\/div>\n #Michelle #Thomas #Nelson #celebrates #35th #birthday #Pilates #brunch<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" At her 35th birthday Pilates and brunch event at the Jaguar Land Rover showroom in St. Andrew last Saturday, lawyer Michelle Thomas-Nelson centered around this practice, which is increasingly part of the conversation around wellness, including Pilates. 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