When we talk about the benefits of Pilates, we often mention strength, posture, or core stability. But sometimes the real story — the story that sticks with you — is how someone’s life quietly changes because their body starts working with them again instead of against them.
This is one of those stories.
It’s a story about pain that overstayed its welcome, a stubborn groin pain named “Teena,” a woman who refused to give up, and the power of personalized mobility exercises rooted in the Pilates method. What makes Suzanne’s story especially meaningful is that it isn’t just about eliminating discomfort; it’s about restoring confidence and the simple joy of being able to do what you love — whether that’s climbing a Croatian mountainside or walking through a European city.
If you want to learn how Pilates can rebuild movement from the inside out — or what true partnership between teacher and client looks like — you’re in the right spot!
The Pain That Wouldn’t Quit
Before Suzanne ever stepped into Today Pilates, she had been living with right groin pain for over two years. It was persistent, sharp, and frustrating — bad enough that she named it “Teena.” She tried resting. She tried stretching. She tried exercising on her own. Nothing offered real, lasting relief.
Her primary care doctor noticed that her right hip’s range of motion had become extremely limited. An orthopedic consult followed, and she was told the pain might be coming from an arthritic hip joint. It made sense, and she went into surgery hopeful that the pain would finally end.
Eight weeks after surgery, she had made a solid recovery — off pain relievers, back to driving, moving comfortably again…except Teena was still there. Still nagging. Still affecting every step. Still changing the way she walked.
What she hoped would be the end of a long journey turned out to be the midpoint.
The instruction she received after surgery?
“Do more clamshell exercises.”
But Suzanne knew there had to be more she could do. She just needed someone who understood the body at a deeper level — someone who could see the pattern behind the pain.
That’s when she found Kimberly.
A Teacher Who Listened Differently
From the moment Suzanne explained her situation, Kimberly could see that her pain wasn’t just the symptom — it had become the architect of how she moved. Her right leg wasn’t moving in a natural forward/backward pattern. Her gait leaned forward and inward. Her quads were overworking. Her glutes and hamstrings weren’t participating. And the muscles around the hip and groin were essentially frozen — stuck in protection mode.
Kimberly quickly realized that jumping straight into traditional Pilates exercises wouldn’t help. Suzanne needed something more strategic, more individualized, and more corrective.
So Kimberly did what great instructors do:
She temporarily set the classical “method” aside — and designed a plan built specifically around Suzanne’s body.
It was a plan rooted in precise mobility exercises, intentional muscle activation, and a slow unwinding of deeply ingrained compensation patterns.
The Mobility Exercises That Made the Difference
The biggest breakthrough came from one surprising place:
Leg Springs
Supine.
Side-lying.
On the small barrel.
Off the end of the Cadillac.
Purple springs.
Red springs.
Over and over and over – through each lesson.
To this day, Suzanne holds the unofficial Today Pilates record for “Most Leg Springs Completed by a Single Human” — and she earned every one of them.
Leg springs strengthened what needed strength, lengthened what needed length, and gradually retrained the right leg to move cleanly again without collapsing inward or locking up.
For months, this was the foundation.
Other Mobility Exercises Kimberly Used:
- Magic Circle work for hamstrings and glutes
- Targeted knee-mechanics training
- Joint-stability work
- Rossiter Stretching sessions to complement the Pilates exercises
Each piece was chosen intentionally, based on what Suzanne’s body could tolerate and what her movement patterns required. Nothing was random. Everything served a purpose.
The Slow, Steady Transformation
Over time — and with Suzanne showing up consistently three times per week — the changes compounded.
Her range of motion improved.
Her gait normalized.
Her leg stopped internally rotating.
Her stride became more confident and less guarded.
And little by little…the true Pilates Method opened back up to her.
That’s the beauty of Pilates: it gives back what pain has taken away, one piece at a time.
Today, Suzanne enjoys semi-private sessions with two friends, blending strength, flow, and control. She still keeps one private session each week to stay focused on her individual needs, and the progress continues to build.
“Pilates has changed my life! I am not completely healed and may never be, but I am eternally grateful for all the help Kimberly has given me. I love her instructions and learning how to do the exercise the correct way to use my muscles most effectively.” – Suzanne
The story doesn’t end with “pain gone.” It continues with “movement restored.”
From Groin Pain to Croatian Mountains
Twenty months after she started with Kimberly, Suzanne found herself climbing a rocky mountainside in Croatia — something that would have been unthinkable when Teena was at her worst.
Walking miles a day…
Standing without shifting or guarding…
Exploring Europe with confidence…
These weren’t just physical achievements — they were emotional ones.
Pilates didn’t just help her move again.
It helped her live again.
Looking Back, Moving Forward
Kimberly and Suzanne often say they wish there was a “before” video of Suzanne’s gait, just to show how dramatic the transformation has been. But the results speak for themselves — in how Suzanne walks, hikes, climbs, and carries herself now.
At Today Pilates, this is the heart of what we do:
Use intelligent mobility exercises, strategic instruction, and the benefits of Pilates to help real people reclaim real movement.
A Note from Robert & Kimberly
Somehow, we’ve already reached the last month of 2025. What a year!
As we wrap up 2025, we’ve been reflecting on the lessons, the progress, and the gratitude this year brought.
We deepened our training through a mentorship program, expanded our understanding of the Pilates Method, and celebrated Robert completing his comprehensive teacher training — four years of deep, dedicated work. We also refreshed our website (coming soon – before 2026!) and feel thankful for everyone who participated in the photo shoot.
And yes — there’s something brand new coming in 2026! It’s playful. It’s challenging. It complements Pilates beautifully. And we’ll be inviting a few adventurous clients to help us beta-test it. Stay tuned.
Most importantly, thank you for being Pilates people with us. Your commitment to your own practice makes everything we do worthwhile. We are honored to work alongside you and help you experience the benefits of Pilates in your daily life.
Here’s to another year of movement, strength, mobility, and joy.
Cheers to you — and to a great year ahead!