WHAT IS PILATES, REALLY?

It is a HEALING form of exercise. Everyone from world-class athletes to housewives to physical therapy patients has discovered this time-tested truth – there is nothing like Pilates to build a strong, vibrant, lean, healthy and attractive body. Most types of exercise, from aerobics to yoga to weightlifting, focus on some narrow aspect of fitness (building larger muscles for the sake of larger muscles, etc). This kind of limited approach often leads to injury and disappointment. Pilates was invented over 80 years ago to do one thing only – to comprehensively fix broken and out-of-shape bodies. And when you are overweight, inflexible, and hampered by injury, all you want is to feel better, physically and mentally. With Pilates, you truly can rebuild your body and your life. With The Heart of Pilates, it’s all about you, and how well you are doing in the world.

Everything about The Heart of Pilates is handcrafted and handmade by Kj Luker, the producer, writer, and instructor for the “The Heart of Pilates” PBS television special and the accompanying DVD and video series. Kj is also the owner and Director of Center Studio (opened in 1997), her large and comprehensive Pilates and Physical Therapy studio in Los Angeles.“I want The Heart of Pilates to be like coming to our Pilates studio and taking a Pilates class with me,” says Kj. “In every one of our DVDs and videos, just as in person, I am focused on you doing well in the world. I want to give you the ability, these Pilates tools, to function better in your body, and in your life. These videos are handmade by me – there is no big corporation or gleaming marketing machine churning out “video product” for the “mass market.” She adds, “Everything we do is focused on you, helping you to systematically build a Pilates practice in your home, your way. And we want it to be fun because that’s the only way to make fitness a lasting part of your life.”

Kj has developed her expertise through many years of training and study of Pilates, as well as yoga, running, weight lifting, and Cranial Sacral Therapy. But the real source of her empathy, patience, and understanding lies in overcoming many of the same problems endured by those she trains in person at Center Studio, and through The Heart of Pilates video series. Chronically overweight for over 10 years, Kj also suffered from bulimia, sciatica, and extreme back pain – not to mention low self-esteem and poor body image. Kj has traveled a long route – much like the initially frail and sick Joseph Pilates himself – to find the inner well of strength that would heal her physically and emotionally.

THE HEART OF PILATES A SUCCESS ON PBS

The Heart of Pilates is now appearing on over 280 PBS affiliates nationwide (reaching over 95% of the US market). Broadcast throughout 2005 and continuing through 2006, the show has been a tremendous success and Kj Luker is proud to announce that the next installment has already been ordered for the 2007-2008 season. “We are community-based at Center Studio and The Heart of Pilates. That means all of our clients are our friends and neighbors and the work we do with them has a direct impact on the quality of life for our community. That’s why we’re on the PBS television network; PBS is the badge of quality, life-enhancing programming,” says Kj. “With The Heart of Pilates, we’re more interested in you, our extended community, and your continued well-being, than glorifying ourselves or primping up Pilates with Hollywood glitz, flash and distortions.”

“I caught a little of the PBS show and I think this is what makes you different: you are making a positive change in the lives of people… and some of these other programs are in there mainly for profit. Part of “profit”, I think, should include the priceless feeling of knowing that you have done something wonderful to help another human being be the best that they can be. I am going to order anything you have. I think The Heart of Pilates is wonderful.”
– Grace E.

“I am so different since I have been doing the Pilates exercises. I could feel the difference in everything, even when I crawled under my truck to do some connection work. Just walking around I notice my posture is so much different and better; I carry myself well because the muscles are working. All in just over three weeks. I wonder what six months of this will do. I have not missed a day. You have no idea what Pilates has meant to me. So thanks once again for introducing it to me on your PBS show.
– Raymond K.