Pilates coach Yasmin Karachiwala recently opened up about the transformation of yesteryear actor Helen at 86. When asked about her favourite fitness transformation, she mentioned that Helen’s was the most satisfying.
“If you had asked me this question four years back, I would have told you about one of my Katrina (Kaif), Alia (Bhatt), Deepika (Padukone) transformations, but my most recent transformation…I don’t know if I will call it challenging as much as satisfying…is of Helen’s. She is 86 now. I am very close to the Khan family, and every time I used to meet Helen aunty, I would be like…when are you coming to Pilates…because before lockdown, she used to come and do a little bit of Pilates, and after lockdown, she never got the energy to come back. Every time, there was a birthday or Diwali, Eid …or one of the functions, I would meet her…and I would be like…when are you coming back…because I was seeing her movement deteriorating…she was using a stick to walk…it became so embarrassing for her…such that she would see me at parties and cover her face..’I don’t want to even see you, darling!’…and I was like…I am not going to ask you this question…you come when you are ready…” recalled Karachiwala.
Eventually, Helen came around to restart Pilates with Karachiwala.
“She calls me one day, and she’s like I am ready. She came into the studio with a cane, she could barely walk, because of her weight and because of inactivity…her muscles had atrophied…so we started training Helen aunty…cut to four months later…she is not walking with a cane, she can climb stairs, she bends to play with my puppy…so much so that I am like…aunty…don’t bend so much….and she is like…’I can!’ She jumps on the trampoline. She sits and stands without support. I think that for me it is better than any of the other transformations.”
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Have you tried Pilates? (Photo: Freepik)
Karachiwala added that with Pilates, Helen “enjoyed what she did”. “She kept coming every single day…she would come for class every day unless she was unwell…she kept coming….it’s a beautiful form of exercise…that you can make it so gentle for someone who needs it and super challenging for an athlete. That has been my success story,” Karachiwala told hK Vitals podcast on YouTube.
Taking a cue from her candid expression about Helen’s transformation, we asked an expert about how Pilates can be tailored across age groups.
Pilates is a gentle, yet effective workout that strengthens the core, improves flexibility, and muscle control. “It’s slow, controlled movement can improve balance and coordination, keeping us independent as we age,” said Varun Rattan, founder, Evolve Fitness, adding, “Indeed, it’s very satisfying for a coach when the individual’s flexibility improves”.
According to Rattan, Pilates can be tailored to you even if you’re a newcomer to movement or if you are dealing with joint pain. “As strength and control improve, the exercises can be made more challenging. This might mean increasing repetitions, adding resistance with bands or springs, or trying slightly more complex movements. Over time, many people experience better mobility, less stiffness, and more confidence in everyday movement,” said Rattan.
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DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.