Back in 1995, I bought a new car with a 5 speed standard transmission. I loved this car but after a few years my body started seriously protesting after long road trips. Age was catching up with me or so I thought and I made the decision to trade this, low to the ground car, for one of comfort. So sell my beloved car I did and settled for a Jeep Cherokee whose entrance into the car demanded a climb up instead of down. No longer was I the twisted pretzel on those long car rides. Then a trip to Manhattan to do some serious shopping, led me to have cause for more complaint. I always use the subway as my means of travel when I am in Manhattan and I usually enjoy the subway.

However, this time, it was awful. As you exit the subway you have to navigate some flights of steps back up to street level and this is where my legs protested loud and clear. I found I had to hang on hard to the side rails and hoist myself up each and every step. Those legs needed the help of my poor weak arms. Panting for breath I'd finally reached the street to see that my sister-in-law who, just a few years younger than me, showed no effects of that climb. Now you know that made me mad. I remembered thinking "Linda you are in serious trouble here". I had previously thought that the car and my age were at fault.

Now I had to consider just maybe, my poorly exercised body was getting worse and the effect of neglect, not car, was the real reason. No matter the cause, something had to be done. I was too young for this, right?

I had been hearing the buzz about an exercise program that dealt with the concept, if the core of the body (2 inches above, 2 inches below the navel and all around the trunk)is strengthened, then conditions such as arthritis, low back pain and sciatica will improve. This seemed very logical to me and worth further investigation. Here was a ray of hope for this neglected body.

Pilates (pronounced pih-LAH-tees) was invented about a century ago by Joseph Pilates for injured dancers. His method was not just about exercise but about teaching a series of controlled movements using both the body and the mind. I also was encouraged to find that those practicing Pilates show an increase in strength, flexibility, stamina, posture, and coordination with the added bonus of a healthy focused mind. Now who couldn't use a healthier focused mind? There are two ways to practice Pilates either through specially designed machines or mat work with a series of specific exercises. I opted to do the mat work.

So start I did with a video for a beginner's mat work out. I've acquired some workout videos in the past that either never made it out of their original packaging or those that did make it to the VCR become abandoned in a short time due to boredom or time restraints. I was pleasantly surprised to find that this work out was for just 20 minutes long. Wow, 20 minutes devoted to exercise was very doable. I'm also pleased to tell you that this is not one of those go for the burn torture exercises. This is more about the quality of the movement not quantity. Repetitions are limited to no more than 10. That's also good to hear, right? No fighting boredom here, because like the art of dance and yoga, learning Pilates is a long-term process that each day will find you working on the prescribed placement, rhythm and breathing pattern of each exercise. Knowing how much I've always looked forward to the end of the exercises I was surprised about the added bonus of feeling very accomplished along with refreshed and rejuvenated.

So you're wondering how I feel now that I am 6 weeks into the program. I feel great and this is why I wanted to tell you about it. Might have been a good idea to start Pilates before I sold my car. I look forward to doing my Pilate exercises. Yes, you read that right, never felt that way about my previously abandoned exercise programs. These old bones don't creak no more. Hooray!!!!!

The spillage of Pilates. So I ask myself this question, I feel this good doing Pilates, how will I feel when I start to change my bad eating habits for good ones? Or how about some cardio, doing a one half hour of treadmill 3 times a week? Watch out there is no stopping me now!

I walk taller now. I remember as a child the constant reminders to stand up straight and what an effort it was, well now many years later I am doing it naturally.

Can't wait for my next visit to Manhattan with Carol, I'll navigate those steps like an Olympian, well almost.

Phew. Am I glad my reasoning was all wrong. What I had to do was fight my neglect and stop worrying about getting older and the effects of age on this body.

Oh the car business, really that was just plain dumb thinking.

So I am hooked and I love Pilates. Don't believe me just ask my sisters. They'll tell you how often I tell them about Pilates, how I keep bragging how great it is and why aren't they getting with the program, yadda yadda yadda.

Linda R. Nigro is the author of the ezine Essential News and owner of First In Line Soap. You can catch her at Craft Shows during the spring and fall or at her official web site www.firstinlinesoap.com First In Line Soap the company devoted to adding color to your bath. E-Mail her at Linda@firstinlinesoap.com.

Please visit Gaiam for a nice selection of quality Pilates gear.