Nancy Stimac West Hartford
The first day I came to work out with Susannah, I was secretly desperate. Fearing encroaching disability, I had suffered massive bone breakage in a car accident as a young adult and the onset of arthritis. In constant pain, I became exercise adverse. A remark made by Susannah at my first class struck me. “If you ever feel pain during exercise, you’re doing something wrong…and I won’t let that happen.”
I knew I had come to the right place. Seven years later, I can say that I have never feel pain in Susannah’s studio or afterwards at home. At 65 I have more flexibility, strength and core stability than I had at 50. Pain medication is not in my medicine cabinet. A rheumatologist I visited a few years back was surprised how pain-free and flexible I was. I told him it was Pilates and Susannah. He sighed and wished all his patients could do the same. I agreed, but added: “only if Susannah is the instructor!”
Leta Marks West Hartford
I have been working with Susannah for two years and my body hasn’t felt this strong in ages. I have lost over fifteen pounds through my Weight Watcher diet and working out two days a week with Susannah. What I like best is that she encourages me and yet does not pressure me to go beyond what my body can do; she lets me work at my own pace yet I always feel challenged. I’ve had both hips replaced in the last 6 years and before working with her, I felt pain, a restriction in my hip rotations, and I was unable to move with confidence; but now with the stretching and strengthening I do in my Pilates workouts with Susannah, I can’t believe these hips are not the ones I was born with. I look forward to our workouts for I enjoy Susannah’s personality, her professionalism, and her teaching skills. She varies our workouts, but always explains with patience. I am mentally and physically challenged, happily engaged, and look forward to each session with her. That’s my success story!
