Reform Yourself
Reform Pilates is a new pilates studio located within the Texarkana Physical Education Gym at 4023 Jefferson Avenue, Texarkana, Arkansas. It is the first to bring a machine-centric focus on the worldwide exercise phenomenon to our community. The studio is owned by me, Texarkana native Malorie Looney, who recently moved back to Texarkana from Austin, where I initially fell in love with the practice and its ease of accessibility for all body types and skill ranges.
Ask just about anybody who knows me well enough, and they will tell you I've never really been one for any kind of vigorous or high intensity exercise. However, I ended up liking pilates so much it turned into a new career. With a collegiate background in education studies and subsequent years in the classroom and administration at an Austin-based private school, I am well-suited in my role as an instructor. I particularly enjoy working with clients on a one-on-one basis.
My clients are everything. I offer sessions for one to two people at a time, meaning I am able to dedicate a lot more attention to each individual client. Which, to be honest, works out great for both sides. I've already made some incredible relationships from the short time I've been open for business.
The focus of Reform Pilates has been training through the use of a pilates reformer machine since day one (and it is, in fact, what inspired the business's name). For the uninitiated, a pilates reformer can look a bit intimidating at first. It effectively looks like a padded bench with various straps and springs located at various points. However, it quickly becomes second nature to utilize the machine in a surprising multitude of ways.
The reformers are absolutely key to the way I teach. Mat pilates, which is more focused on unassisted exercises, can be great, especially if you're looking to practice at home. However, the reformer really opens up the number and variety of exercises available, not to mention just making the exercises more accessible to more body and skill types. In Austin, I had clients well into their mid-80s who swore by the benefits of not only pilates as a whole, but also of the reformers specifically.
The benefits of Pilates can be numerous, from improved spiritual and emotional health to the more obvious physical benefits like improved flexibility, balance, and strength. Plus, Pilates can be a great complement to other activities, including various sports (tennis, golf), running, and strength training. Like most things, however, to get the most out of it, you really need to stick with it.
One of my favorite quotes is from the originator of pilates, Joseph Pilates, "In 10 sessions you'll feel the difference, in 20 sessions you'll see the difference, and in 30 sessions you'll have a whole new body." It sounds a bit cheesy on its face, but I can vouch for its accuracy through experience. It's been a long road, but I've never felt better or been happier to be where I am.
