Carolyn Goldstein claimed she was hooked on Pilates the very first time she tried it.
“My body just responded,” the Village of Pine Ridge resident said. “It was just the perfect workout for me, and everything just kind of came together.”
Goldstein is a person who appreciates being active. She was a ballet dancer for nearly 20 years before.
Pilates has provided her with a viable option. She’s been doing it for almost 20 years and became a certified instructor before going to The Villages so she could teach programs there.
“I knew this was something I wanted to do,” Goldstein said.
She teaches three classes: advanced intermediate Pilates for Strength, Flexibility, and Optimum Health, beginner intermediate Pilates for Strength, Flexibility, and Optimum Health and a Pilates for Men class, which women can occasionally attend.
She assists others to become more flexible and fit while also enhancing her own health in the classes.
“Our goal is to get flexibility in the spine, because a flexible spine is a youthful spine, and as we age, we get stiffer and (it’s) harder to move,” Goldstein said.
She also has volunteers work on their core strength and flexibility in their arms, legs and back. Attendees work on a mat, with some skills requiring the use of a small exercise ball. She has everyone practice their breathing in the optimum health component of two of her classes.
“It teaches you to kind of slow down a little bit,” Goldstein said.
Goldstein’s general health has improved as a result of her two decades of Pilates practice and leading her own sessions.
It has permitted her to maintain her flexibility, which has aided her in other activities in The Villages, such as Zumba classes and golf.
“I feel youthful and strong and … there’s no other workout that combines everything, so I just love the way I feel,” she said.
Overall, she appears to be in good health for her age.
Goldstein also appreciates witnessing how her students grow as a result of their participation in her classes.
“It’s so rewarding and inspiring,” she said. “It just fills my heart.”
Patti Davis, according to Goldstein, has improved dramatically since taking one of her workshops. Goldstein admires how adaptable she has become.
Davis runs her own Zumba sessions to remain in shape, but she wanted to try a stretching class. She tried yoga but prefers pilates.
Goldstein teaches an advanced intermediate level Pilates for Strength, Flexibility, and Optimum Health class at Moyer Recreation Center on Mondays at 10 a.m. On Mondays at 11:30 a.m., the Moyer Recreation Center hosts a Pilates for Strength, Flexibility, and Optimum Health class for beginners and intermediates, and on Fridays at 10:30 a.m., Moyer Recreation Center hosts a Pilates for Men session.
Contact Goldstein at 401-419-0149 or carolynigoldstein@gmail.com for additional information about her classes.