When a tumor on her spinal cord left her paralyzed from the chest down, Pilates teacher Susan Wilson, 58, relied on the method to get back on her feet.
![Turning The Tables](https://magarticles.magzter.com/articles/1264/210670/58b121ec5aef6/Turning-the-Tables.jpg)
I’VE ALWAYS BEEN A FEISTY, TYPE A PERSONALITY, WITH LOADS OF ENERGY. After college, I started working at McNeil Pharmaceutical, a division of Johnson and Johnson, in the corporate finance department. That same year, in 1981 when I was 23, I married my husband, who was in medical school. Over time, as my husband established his family practice, I had two children and moved into Johnson and Johnson’s information technology division. It was a lot to juggle.
In 1999, my husband suddenly had to have a 15-hour heart operation. In the aftermath, I reassessed my priorities and decided to leave the corporate world. Our son and daughter were 11 and eight, and after the scare of almost losing their father, I wanted to be home more. So I made the switch to becoming a consultant—the hours were more flexible, and I loved being my own boss.
No matter what, I had always made time to stay in shape. I had been an athlete in high school and was a runner throughout much of my adulthood. So in 2002, when a friend suggested I join her at a mat class at Pilates of the Lehigh Valley, I jumped right in.
LOVE AT FIRST ROLL-UP
After my first mat class, Susan Munshower (who had been trained by Romana Kryzanowska) suggested I try the equipment next time. I was both flattered and excited. I knew right away that I had found something important for myself. I started taking classes every week, and I even got my mother doing it. It became a godsend for her as she dealt with her aging body.
TRAINING WITH ROMANA
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Esta historia es de la edición March - April 2017 de Pilates Style.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
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Finding New Momentum
Overcoming obstacles caused by the pandemic, the virtual version of this popular festival still achieved its goals.
![Carola Trier's Extraordinary Journey](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1264/518539/5f61b182ced15/crp_Carola-Trier-Reiner-Grootenhuis-Pilates-Biking-Nerve-damage-spinal-surgery-oxycodone-OxyContin-Physical-therapist.jpg)
Carola Trier's Extraordinary Journey
In his authoritative biography of the first woman to open a studio, Reiner Grootenhuis delved into her personal papers to tell the harrowing story of her time in a prison camp during World War II.
![Racism in the Pilates Industry](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1264/518539/5f61b7cf9cfc4/crp_Black-Lives-Matter-Systemic-Racism-Pilates.jpg)
Racism in the Pilates Industry
Incidents of police brutality and the ensuing Black Lives Matter protests have shed a bright light on systemic racism in the U.S., including in the Pilates industry. Here, Black instructors share their experiences.
![For Self-defense](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1264/518539/5f61d9e08771f/crp_Self-defense-Pilates-exercises.jpg)
For Self-defense
Moves of the Month
![Comfort Food Made Healthy](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1264/518539/5f61ddb3215fe/crp_Kristin-Cavallari-Comfort-Food-Cookbook.jpg)
Comfort Food Made Healthy
This fall, cozy up to tantalizing comfort food that’s also healthy. A new cookbook from Kristin Cavallari shows you how.
![Pilates Postcard](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1264/518539/5f61e0342717e/crp_Pilates-Postcard.jpg)
Pilates Postcard
A Pilates teacher shares how the method is making waves abroad.
![The Ultimate Gift](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1264/518539/5f61a48f17031/crp_The-Ultimate-Gift.jpg)
The Ultimate Gift
One year ago, Kahley Schiller’s life was completely upended by an extreme health crisis. But thanks to her 20-year Pilates practice, the 40-year-old was able to recover quickly.
![Revelations](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1264/518539/5f61d50883884/crp_Revelations.jpg)
Revelations
For Sarita Allen, a star of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and a protégée of Kathleen Stanford Grant, Pilates was key to her decades-long career.
Meaning WITHIN THE Movement
The Five Elements of Chinese Medicine help you go deeper into your practice, promising plenty of play along the way.
![PILATES IN THE HOOD](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1264/518539/5f619faa4573c/crp_PILATES-IN-THE-HOOD.jpg)
PILATES IN THE HOOD
Though she’s trained many top stars, Kim Carruthers says she’s most proud of her work as the founder and director of a nonprofit bringing the method to underserved communities.