Despite a multitude of challenges she has faced, Ann continues to stand up a bit taller and stronger with every Pilates session under her belt! An unfortunate car accident in 2010, in which she was struck by a car on her left side, resulting in a broken ankle and foot on her right side, began to cause many alignment and gait issues over the years. She began to experience hip, leg and back pain eventually leading to a diagnosis of spinal stenosis (a narrowing of spaces in the spine) and bursitis (deep inflammation at the joint) in her hip. When Ann discovered this diagnosis, she began practicing Pilates with instructor, Olivia Eng. At the start of her programming, there were many positions that were simply too uncomfortable to even be in to complete the exercises. After a year and a half of discipline in the studio, she can now sit, lie, and stand in any position and do advanced exercises requiring complex movements and increased resistance (including a Standing Splits on the reformer!). Her Pilates practice has also proved helpful in keeping her circulation flowing smoothly as she has an autoimmune condition/Raynaud’s disease that affects her circulation most prominently to her hands and feet. Despite these challenges, Ann continues to show up to her Pilates sessions with a positive, hopeful and cheerful demeanor. With her discipline and dedication to pilates training in the studio and at home on her own, she is well on her way to regaining her strength and ability to perform daily tasks without pain!

When Ann isn’t in the Pilates studio, she can be found tending to her two lovely cats Wicca and Adso, reading one of Jane Austen’s or Diana Galbaldon's Outlander novels, and grooving to the inspiration of George Gershwin and Patrick Ball. We are proud of your hard work, dedication and positivity Ann! You are an inspiration to all of us here at SF Pilates, keep it up!