A Pilates studio - Keeping Fitness Pure & Simple

Before working with Sandee, I had seen several chiropractors, massage and physical therapists as well as an acupuncturist for my neck/arm/shoulder pain — nothing helped and I was losing hope.

I had an MRI that showed herniated discs and narrowing recesses on C5-C6/C6-C7. The Osteopath I was seeing started telling me about surgical options. I wanted nothing to do with that. I also didn’t trust that this was solely disc-related.

I was being treated by a local physical therapist (Dan Mangen), who recommended I connect with Sandee to try Pilates. I met with her and she recommended I start with Egoscue Therapy first, to correct my posture. This approach made sense to me. I agreed that poor posture and bad daily habits had been a factor to my condition.

The Egoscue Method is NOT a quick fix and there are no guarantees. It takes dedication, consistency and hard work. Working with a certified specialist ain’t cheap either, but I’m SO glad I tried it and grateful for Sandee.

When I began with Sandee, I could barely handle the most basic positions or movements. The pain was severe. I noticed slight improvement after several sessions and once I started doing the my “menu" at home with increasing the frequency, I really started to make progress.

After the 8 sessions, I still had some pain, but I also had hope again, because I could tell I was improving. I was able to sleep through the night and manage my pain during the day. Next, I started doing pilates with Sandee — another new thing I’d never tried before. Pilates is no joke. It’s humbling and quickly exposes your weaknesses (which is a good thing). Thankfully, Sandee is an awesome instructor who knows how to push your limits without jeopardizing injury.

This has been the longest and most challenging period of constant physical pain I’ve every experienced. It took a over 5 months of working with Sandee, but I finally feel like I have my life back, and I have her to thank. I’m still doing my Egoscue “menu” regularly at home and have continued taking Pilates with Sandee. My flexibility and core strength have greatly improved.

So many people have back, neck and shoulder pain. Lots of them end up getting surgery. I’m very thankful I was able to find a non-invasive option and avoid getting my discs fused.

Clearly a lot of the back pain out there is a result of physical habits — poor posture, sitting too much, looking down at our phones, driving, not stretching, etc. And if that’s the case, then is makes sense that pain could be reversed by changing those habits and putting into practice the right exercise and movement. While spine adjustments might help in certain cases, lasting relief more likely comes from changing, or offsetting, the habits that caused the pain in the first place. For me, the Egoscue Method and Pilates appear to be doing just that.

When it comes to Pilates training Sandee certainly knows her stuff and her 12+ years of experience really shines. The private client one on one training is great and is highly motivational throughout the workout. From warm up to cool down her routines always provides me with a thorough and complete workout. Her positive attitude towards clients is refreshing and sincere and she always has a smile on her face. I highly recommend Sandee for the whole family but fair warning - she will change your life!!! Mike D. - Dana Point

One of the best workouts I have ever received. No other trainer compared to Sandee