Pilates Instructor Brigid DiPaolo, Reduces Pain and Gains Mobility One Pilates Exercise At a Time

LifeCenter Plus Pilates Instructor, Brigid DiPaolo Earns Prestigious Pilates Method Alliance Certification


“There’s no pain in Pilates.” proclaimed Brigid DiPaolo, Pilates instructor at LifeCenter Plus. “There’s lots of challenges. But no pain.”

Brigid became certified by the Pilates Method Alliance, recently. She wanted to be certified on a higher level and offer her students even more. “I wanted to earn that esteem, especially since there are only 25 PMA certified instructors in Ohio.” Brigid completed 450 hours of training and mentoring from a PMA recognized instructor, before she was eligible to take the exam. After earning the certification, Brigid entered an elite class of Pilates instructors. LifeCenter Plus is fortunate to have one of the only 1,500 PMA certified in the world.

Her classes are centered on the classic Pilates fundamentals from Pilates developer, Joseph H. Pilates. These principals include moving slowly, with precision, breath and focus. “It’s all about the classics. There are so many things we do daily that throw off the balance of our spine and muscles. These movements bring the strength and balance back. They prevent injury from everyday movements like bending over.”

The knowledge from the PMA has enabled Brigid to modify various Pilates exercises to accommodate many medical conditions, from pregnant women to people with hip replacements.

Shortly after seeing the benefits from Pilates, Brigid wanted to show others. “I just love helping others be healthier through Pilates.” Brigid has now been a Pilates instructor at LifeCenter Plus for four years. She teaches the Mat Pilates and Reformer Pilates, as well as one-on-one and group sessions. Mat Pilates involves continuously moving into different exercises. Reformer Pilates incorporate exercise machines to guide and enhance movements.

Treatment for an injury in 2007 required Brigid to use the exercises as rehabilitation. “Pilates strengthened my core and put my hips back in place.” She’s been hooked ever since. “It’s extended beyond rehabilitation to improving my running. I ran the Boston Marathon and I know I wouldn’t have been able to do it without Pilates.”

Now her students are benefiting, like she did. Many have lost chronic pain and have gained mobility back from previous injuries. “After a skiing accident, one of my students could not move her shoulder. With several Pilates classes, she’s now able to progressively move it more and more each class.”

Aside from using Pilates to reduce pain and restore movement, some of her students use it to improve their golf swing. “By strengthening their core muscles, they improve their golf swing.”

Even after being PMA certified, Brigid still strives to offer new techniques. “Every where I go, I try to learn something new. I’ll tell my class, ‘Today we’re doing New Jersey circles.’ It keeps classes fresh and interesting.”

“Above all, with Pilates everyone can do it. Fit. Unfit. Young. Old.” she says. “It makes sense for everyone. It certainly helps me and my students.”

A full list of classes is available here.