Pilates Performance & Rehab
Photos by Emma Highfill, Rose Wheat Photography
Pilates is a physical fitness program that uses the method of contrology, the art of controlled movements, to improve flexibility, build strength, improve posture and alignment, and help with breathing, balance and core control. Pilates can be done on the floor or use equipment to help stretch, strengthen and align the body through controlled movement.
Accidental Fitness
Desima Dawdy, director and owner of Pilates Performance & Rehab, started Pilates training after she was in a car accident that made traditional exercise difficult for her to do.
“I had taught physical education, step aerobics, spinning and traditional fitness programs,” Dawdy said. “When I had a series of accidents, it ended up being a blessing in disguise.”
She found she could no longer perform traditional fitness and rehab exercises, so she researched a solution to her fitness needs. She discovered therapeutic-based movement through Polestar Education, where they were bridging traditional rehabilitation and the Pilates methodology together.
This new form of exercise helped Dawdy so much that her friends started to notice the difference it made for her.
“It is very customizable,
and people pay per visit,
so you are not buying anything
other than your good health.”
Healing Therapy
“People saw my progression and healing, and how I was able to gain a lot of the movement that I had lost and find relief from my pain,” Dawdy said. “When they began to tell me of friends or family members that had similar issues, I realized there was a whole community out there that needed that bridge between inactivity and high intensity workouts, or just simply something that was not too physically demanding.”
Dawdy completed training through Polestar Pilates Education with the University of Miami/Miller School of Medicine where Pilates Rehabilitation is a key component of the curriculum. She opened her facility in Barrington Village, where Dawdy says she is committed to helping clients live their best lives.
“All of our clientele are here for functional fitness and to improve the quality of their life. It is really rewarding to see that they feel, look and move much better than when they started,” Dawdy said.
Diverse and Adaptive
Because of the versatility of Pilates, Pilates Performance & Rehab has a diverse clientele of all ages and physical abilities. Trainers work with athletes and dancers seeking improved performance and injury prevention, as well as post and pre-rehabilitation from surgeries.
Several different apparatus assist with movement, helping people who might not otherwise use muscles properly get stronger and begin healing.
“People get super fascinated when they see how diverse and how adaptive the apparatus can be,” Dawdy said. “A lot of times people are in pain and they don’t want to move, but they found that by using the apparatus, they could improve their range of motion.”
Pilates Performance & Rehab offers a variety of private and small group personal training sessions.
“When I started teaching Pilates, I understood how much individualized attention really helps,” Dawdy said.
