Northshore magazine showcases the best that the North Shore of Boston, MA has to offer.
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/976908
72 MAY 2018 / I N - D E P T H / it. From those in top physical shape to people with injuries, women who are pregnant, and those coming off a physical therapy regimen, all types of clients and more walk through the doors of Oxygen on a regular basis. e studio sees young clients who come in to work on dancer flexibility and clients as old as 84 who are focused on maintaining strength and stability. "I work closely with many physical therapists in the area on a variety of client issues ranging from postsurgical situations to clients recovering from back or disc surgery," says Cieslik, and while she loves this work, she emphasizes that Pilates is a wonderful "pre-hab tool" for bolstering physical health before an accident or surgery happens. "e fitness industry has shifted," explains Cieslik, which accounts for the huge surge in specialty fitness studios in recent years. Oxygen is completely devoted to the continued study and teaching of Pilates, and certifications and contin- ued learning are two things they treat with the utmost reverence. Cieslik herself has nearly a dozen certifications and is working toward "a 1,000-hour classical certification." If you're intrigued but wondering what type of apparel is appropriate, something very similar to what you would wear to a yoga class will do just fine. Clothes you can move in that are form fitting enough for instructors to assess your movement and form often work best, such as tank tops and leggings for women and long yoga pants for men. Oxygen specializes in both semiprivate and private Pilates lessons. Cieslik herself teaches 35 private lessons a week. Clients will often alternate between private or semi-private and group classes, which is a great strategy for ensuring there's a Pilates lesson or class to fit your busy schedule. Cieslik underscores that even group classes have an intimate feel because of their intentionally small sizes and boutique studio philosophy that ensures individual attention. Reformer Pilates offers additional stabilization of the core during workouts.