Since I was inactive for so many years during my medical journey, I decided it was time to find a Pilates class again. I was unsure if I would be able to do it, but wanted to give it a try. Once upon a time, I was an athlete. I ran track, played basketball and softball and even danced all the way through high school. However, now I feared bending forward or backward, and any sudden jumps or moments put me in a dizzy spin. That is when Liz entered my life. I found Personal Pilates by Liz while searching for classes in my local area of the Southwest Suburbs of Chicago. But there was something very unique about one of her class offerings...

I began working, one-on-one with Liz in 2012. I was out of shape, had difficulty breathing because of COPD, and felt quite defeated. Liz & I kept track of my breathing progress using a breath-measuring device during my reformer sessions. Soon, I was getting fuller breaths, felt my strength & balance returning, and looked forward to my workouts. Liz suggested that I was ready to add a Pilates Mat Class to my weekly workout. I was SO happy to be able to successfully participate with other seniors in executing most of the exercises! My family was very supportive and excited to see such positive changes in my physical strength and emotional outlook. I even brought my teenage grandson to one of my classes to experience the challenging way Pilates works for any body!

My name is Gail Cheshire. I am 53 years old and have been on a very long journey of injury, pain, and hurt that led me to Personal Pilates by Liz, and changed my life. From before I started with Liz to now, it feels like someone has flipped a switch in my body and turned off all of the pain. Read on to hear about how…

Liz is an amazing teacher. She not only remembers your name, but also remembers any health issues that you may have told her about in previous sessions. If you are looking for a reference to someone who is a great teacher and a great help – Liz is it! You would be lucky and grateful to have her. If you are interested in why I think so, please read on.

For much of my adult life, I have been battling degenerative disc disease, a connective tissue disease and severe arthritis. After yet another spinal fusion surgery in which a large blood clot formed over a nerve root because my doctor nicked a muscle trying to cover the rods, left me having to spend over a month in a Physical Rehabilitation Center and confined to a wheelchair. Over twenty surgeries had taken a terrible toll both physically and mentally. Three C-sections left my abdominal muscles weak and full of scar tissue. Surgery every twelve to eighteen months for eighteen years to repair a badly damaged jaw and spine left me debilitated, under weight, and weak.  I was sent to numerous Pain Clinics and was taking narcotics. Eventually, both my back and neck were completely fused. Complications from the three fusion surgeries left my left arm weak, a nerve root damaged, and my right leg numb and unable to support weight. My life was awful. I had allowed myself to become a victim, physically weak and mentally even weaker. There had to be a better way. Then I had an epiphany! I must take control of my body and health.