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Aly Raisman, former elite gymnast and local hero from Needham, MA, has been a remarkable inspiration to so many throughout her competitive career and in her retirement.
Raisman won two gold medals at the 2012 London Olympics and took home another gold at the 2016 Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro. The following year, she came forward as one of the victims of a former Olympic team physician, read an impact statement at his sentencing, and became an advocate for other gymnasts who had suffered abuse.
With a passion for physical and mental health, she has credited Pilates as an integral component in her wellness journey, both as an Olympian and a retired elite athlete.
Introduced to Pilates by her mom at a young age, Raisman has explained that Pilates helped her with core strength, body awareness, and precision, which were crucial for her gymnastics routines. It also made her feel "more graceful and confident" during her performances.
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Joseph Pilates' method was inspired by the primal movements of animals and babies, as well as calisthenics, acrobatics, and boxing. He studied movements in order to create a functional, whole body system of exercises...and he delivered! Examine these photos from Rodrigo Nanô (Martins) and see how precision, body awareness, and strength are illustrated in these Olympic performances for many athletes.
Pilates' focused, deliberate approach to movement was beneficial for Raisman during her long practices. She mentioned that focusing on different parts of her body made her feel stronger:
“In gymnastics, when you're doing beam or floor, part of your routine has an artistry component to it, so I think having that awareness of your body and being in your body is really helpful in Pilates... It can really help me be extremely present in my body because I'm able to really focus on certain muscles. And it's kind of similar when you're doing a routine and you're doing part of your dance or your leaps or jumps... focusing on like, making sure that my right leg is really straight or my left toe is pointed more. For me, having that awareness from Pilates was really helpful.”
After retiring from elite gymnastics and dealing with the trauma of the USA Gymnastics scandal, Raisman needed help with coping and recovering from an intense career at a young age. She turned to Pilates as a form of therapy for both her body and mind.
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At Gold Coast Pilates Therapy, we are inspired by Aly’s story and are here to help you find your own path to resilience and confidence in your body. Whether you're in the training to improve your athletic performance or looking for an effective, and mindful form of recovery, Pilates at our studio in Beverly, MA can be adapted to meet your needs.
Big thank you to Aly Raisman for being a positive role model, whole body wellness advocate, and sharing the power of Pilates therapy with the world! She is currently serving as a commentator at the 2024 Paris Olympics this week - GO TEAM USA!
