How Pilates saves Ed Calma’s day

Posted July 27, 2009 23:59:00

Marge C. Enriquez

Philippine Daily Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines – Like most desk-bound professionals, award-winning architect Eduardo Calma was prone to back pains. “I’d be sitting down, hunched in front of the computer while drawing for hours. I wasn’t using my stomach muscles,” he recalls.

Prodded by wife Suzanne, he took up Pilates, which, aside from providing total body conditioning, is also a method for managing pain and providing rehabilitation. Three years ago, he started working out at the Integrated Body Arts Studio, under elite instructor Cecilia Sicangco-Ibarrola.

At 44 and with no more back and shoulder pains, he’s more fit than other guys his age. Younger classmates in yoga are impressed with his agility.

There are many kinds of Pilates in the country today. Ibarrola and her instructors Judell Sicam, Cindy Espinas, and Brando Miranda follow the True Pilates, imparted by Romana Kryzanowsky, a disciple of founder Joseph Pilates.

The basic precept of True Pilates is “contrology,” or using the mind to control the muscles. The exercises focus on the correct usage of core postural muscles that maintain body balance and hold up the spine. Pilates emphasizes coordinated breathing, spinal alignment and the strengthening of the core or the powerhouse—the inner muscles of the torso, abdomen and pelvis. Aside from building muscle strength and stamina, the ultimate goal is to move effectively and gracefully, and engage in grinding work and strenuous activities without unwarranted physical fatigue or mental tiredness.

50-minute workout

Initially, Calma thought Pilates was easy. In his workout, he would just do exercises lying down on a comfortable, leather upholstered carriage controlled by removable springs and pulling straps. Now, after each class, he gets really sweaty.

“In 50 minutes, I get an intense, all-around workout. I get to develop every part of my body equally. I get exhausted after one session, but I feel it’s worth it for that amount of time, as opposed to just running for two hours. In Pilates, you must sustain the movements, and that requires control,” he says.

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