Gail S. Kotel, MPT, started practicing Pilates as a 13-year-old as part of rehabilitation from an ACL reconstruction and has never stopped. “It has taken me through four knee surgeries, pregnancy, birth and several car accidents,” says Kotel. “Pilates has had such a profound impact on me that I began my Pilates-based physical therapy practice, Therapeutic Pilates, 16 years ago. All of my patients, from teens through geriatrics, practice at least some of the Pilates method.” She says it is “fabulous for orthopedic/sports injuries, underdeveloped muscles, scoliosis, hyper flexibility, posture, pelvic floor issues, pre/postpartum care, joint replacement, Parkinson’s, stroke and cardiac care, to name a few.”

Kotel shares, “As we age bones calcify, we become less flexible and muscles shorten. Pilates acts like an anti-aging drug by lengthening your muscles as you contract, rather than shortening them (which is the result of most gym exercises including weight training). By practicing the Pilates method, formerly called The Art of Contrology, muscles around the vertebrae help to separate and create length (people even get taller!).”

She explains, “Practicing regularly develops a strong core, which further supports the spine and extremities. A stable, strong core allows the arms and legs to move freely and helps to prevent back and other injuries. One of the seven principles of Pilates is coordination, which helps to support memory and balance as we age.”