JOPLIN, Mo. —
In an economy that has people cutting the extras from their lives, Barbara Queen, of Joplin, says her exercise classes will not be among the things she forgoes.
Queen said Pilates classes have improved her overall health and that the expense of the classes is well worth it.
“It’s cheaper than blood pressure medicine. It’s cheaper than going to the doctor,” she said. “I’m out here doing yardwork. I’m over 60, and I can do things that I couldn’t do 10, 15 years ago.”
Ree Wells-Lewis, a professor of sociology at Missouri Southern State University in Joplin, said joblessness from the economic downturn has increased the stress level of a country that already was suffering from an extreme work ethic.
“We work more hours per day, we work more days per week, we work more weeks per year,” she said. “Now, with the downturn in the economy, people are being laid off through no fault of their own.
“Yoga and Pilates complement a lot of those therapeutic strategies.”
Wells-Lewis said she practices yoga, African dance and now Pilates, which helps people manage stress and maintain weight.
“I’m a very strong advocate of Pilates in general,” she said. “I’ve been going twice a week for a year, and my quality of life has improved considerably.”
Instruction
Christa Tullis, a Stott Pilates and yoga instructor and owner of Yin Pilates and Yoga Studio in Joplin, said she doesn’t think her business has suffered at all in the economic crunch.
“I think something that makes people feel physically and emotionally better, that’s worth something to them,” she said.
Yoga and Pilates, exercise programs that focus on core strength and flexibility, are gaining acceptance as ways to treat and prevent various health concerns, from stress to chronic anxiety to heart problems.
Wells-Lewis, who has done work in medical sociology, said corporate America is turning to an approach of health promotion as a way to make workers healthier and more productive.
Tullis runs between 15 and 20 classes and private lessons per week. While she is certified to teach yoga, she focuses more on Pilates, which has its roots in physical therapy and sports medicine; yoga is more meditative.
Like Tullis, yoga instructor Connelaine Gustad said she has seen nothing but increasing numbers in her Joplin Family Y yoga classes since she came to Joplin in 2005.
“At first, I felt really fortunate if five people came,” she said.
Alternative
Gustad, who previously was a competitive runner, turned to yoga after breast cancer and chemotherapy limited her running ability. Now she teaches yoga and yogalates, a hybrid of yoga and mat Pilates, five days a week, with classes of 20 or more.
Tullis, who said that a person’s doctor should be a part of the equation, said she has seen students no longer need blood pressure, sleep or anxiety medication as a result of a yoga or Pilates regimen.
“I would say about 50 percent of the calls I get from people about yoga, who weren’t already interested in it, are referrals from a doctor,” she said.
Tullis said it’s difficult to explain the benefits of Pilates to someone who hasn’t seen them firsthand.
“You start to be more aware of your spine right away,” she said. “It’s definitely something that’s experiential.”
Said Queen, “When you finish (a class), you really feel like you’ve done something, and you feel better about yourself.”
Students
Students of both Connelaine Gustad and Christa Tullis range in age, level of physical fitness and skill.
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Related Photos
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Christa Tullis, left, helps Cathy Hauser with a Pilates Edge exercise to strengthen the core during a class at Yin Yoga Studio on Wednesday. Globe/Roger Nomer
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Christa Tullis instructs her class in an exercise using weighted balls at Yin Yoga Studio on Wednesday. Globe/Roger Nomer
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Cathy Hauser, foreground, and Barbara Queen work on a yoga exercise under the instruction of Christa Tullis at Yin Yoga Studios on Wednesday. Globe/Roger Nomer
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(from left) Heather Garrett, Jacci Pim, Cathy Hauser and Barbara Queen perform a Pilates Reformer exercise under instruction from Christa Tullis. Globe/Roger Nomer
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Heather Garrett does a Pilates Edge exercise during a class at Yin Yoga Studio on Wednesday. Globe/Roger Nomer
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Cathy Hauser works on a Pilates Reformer machine under the direction of Christa Tullis at Yin Yoga Studio on Wednesday morning. Globe/Roger Nomer
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Jacci Pim, center, performs a Pilates Edge exercise during a class at Yin Yoga Studio on Wednesday. Globe/Roger Nomer
Discussion
Participants say yoga, Pilates are excellent stress relievers
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