Elena Cordero Kiernan

Growing up I was always active, from swimming competitively at Terenure College to racing at Guiness Ivy Grounds. I was still training daily when I began working full time in Business Development. I felt I wanted to know more about how to train my body so I did a course in personal training and fitness instruction. It was at this time I learned of Pilates and it was at this moment I found a way that I could train until I was 80 and beyond! I went on to qualify as a Pilates Instructor.

It was in helping a friend of mine that I was blown away by the benefits of Pilates. My friend had chronic back issues. And some days could not even get out of bed for the pain he was experiencing. We began to do Pilates and slowly but surely he became a different person. The changes to his body physically and to his mind both mentally and emotionally were astounding. And for me it was the realisation that I could actually make a difference!

That was 2003….I am now 13 years instructing in Pilates. I have had the amazing opportunity to be a part of so many lives. I have seen the joy on people’s faces as their chronic back pain dissipates and other aches and pains completely disappear. I have witnessed a person’s confidence blooming as they stand taller through corrected posture. I have felt the excitement in the disbelief of my older clients realising they can bend down and reach high without losing their balance. I have been an integral part of an Athletes stamina increasing and a golfers shots drop from their handicap. I am one very lucky girl to have these experiences in my life.

Pilates is all encompassing. It is natural movement. It strengthens and stretches the muscles, tendons and ligaments of the body. It builds long, lean permanent muscle. It improves the bodies’ coordination and balance. It corrects posture through movement. It teaches longer, deeper, healthier breathing and therefore feeds the bodies organs with oxygen and blood. It promotes the mind- body connection so much so that Pilates becomes meditation and mindfulness in movement.

As I hope that you can read from my words….I love Pilates… I love what it does and how it does it! Pilates is for everyone, from the sedentary to the athlete, from the healthy to those affected by chronic illness, either physically or mentally. I truly believe, as I have been part of it, that Pilates can bring to you what it is that you need. Through that connection of mind and body we become aware of the tension we hold and we learn to ease that tension. Inevitably clearing it forevermore and therefore creating space within our minds to achieve what we need. And your body feels the benefits just as much!

My intuitive side began to grow, as it still does. Again I felt I needed to know more on the anatomy and physiology of the human body, so I hit the books for another few years and qualified as an Amatsu Therapist. A Japanese form of physical therapy that balances the body as a whole. I was like a sponge soaking up all the information and connecting it to Pilates movements.

Over the years I have had the wonderful opportunity to work alongside Breast Cancer Survivors. To see the benefit they get from Pilates is a reward like no other. From diagnosis, through treatment, to surgery, Pilates movements helped strengthen their bodies and ease their minds. Again I had to know more so I qualified as a Breast Cancer Exercise Specialist through the Pink Ribbon Programme.

As you can see I could sing the praises of Pilates (if I had a note in my head!) for a very long time but I will spare you! I will finish off by letting you know what my aim is going forward…

I aim to bring natural movements in to people’s daily lives. To create a mind body connection that will integrate into their everyday activities.  For those affected by chronic illnesses, I want to be a part of their fight in beating their condition and recovering. I want to help ease the minds troubled by stress, anxiety and depression.  All of this can be done through movement that incorporates both mind and body.....I have seen it happen time and time again!

Thank you

Elena