MY STORY

Life with chronic pain (no longer)

Hi there, I’m Saul. Welcome :)

A few years ago, I gave up a full-time legal career partly to achieve better work-life balance but mostly because I’m passionate about helping people get stronger, move freely and live with less pain. The results are transformative both physically and for our mental wellbeing and my own journey made it clear to me that I should share my learnings to help others.

I suffered for 25 years with chronic back pain (diagnosed osteoarthritis) and I also had to have a total hip-replacement in my 40s, so I can relate very well to clients with all manner of niggles, pains and movement challenges and those just wanting to do life better. 

After practicing Pilates for over a decade, I noticed that it reduced but did not resolve my back pain and my back would still spasm every now and then, leaving me bedridden for days even though I was training regularly 2-3x a week for years (reformer and mat) and with some great teachers here and overseas. Very disheartening and so I began to question the Pilates method!

A few years ago I learned about a new form of Pilates that applied modern exercise science to the original teachings of Joseph Pilates and removed many movement myths and restrictions that sadly are still widely taught since Mr. Pilates passed away (e.g. ensuring knees don't go past toes in a lunge or not raising hips too far in a bridge and there are many many other such ‘rules’). These ‘rules’ are not in fact part of the original Pilates program and are not supported by current science. I call these ‘rules’ movement ‘myths’ which I now know to a great extent limited my ability to fully heal and make progress. 

Current exercise best-practice guidelines (that we apply) support the way Pilates was originally created, before these movement myths, regrettably, crept in. 

After switching to evidence-based Pilates practice, to my surprise and absolute joy, my chronic back pain disappeared completely and I haven’t had a back spasm in years!

 

I just knew I had to offer people the chance to practice evidence-based Pilates, free of all the ‘movement myths’, so they too could maximise all the available benefits so I changed my life and became a Pilates instructor. I then deepened my understanding further by completing a Diploma in Clinical Pilates which amongst other things taught me the principles of strength training, proper rehab from any injury or condition, and a thorough understanding of current pain science. The Diploma is the only Government certified clinical Pilates qualification worldwide.

I'm passionate about sharing this knowledge and helping others get stronger, more flexible, to live with less or no pain and simply ‘do life better’. Heal, Strengthen, Move, it’s why we came To BE!

We give you the tools to reduce or eliminate long term pain and overcome movement restrictions (including back and shoulder pain, joint and neck pain, stiffness or weakness), improve balance and flexibility, strengthen core and tone muscles, and to rehab from injury or surgery.

We support a personal practice within a group setting so you are Free To Move at your own pace, take breaks when you need it or push harder if desired. Simply Free To BE!

We are proudly evidence-based Pilates practitioners and are about movement empowerment not myth-based rules. I and many clients are proof it works. Join our community so you too are Free To Move & Free To BE!

My credentials for those interested:

  • Diploma in Clinical Pilates through Breathe Education (Australian Government accredited)

  • Pilates instructor through Breathe Education (comprehensive qualification)

  • 15 years Pilates practice

  • Lawyer in my spare time ;)