dP
duque pilates
dP
duque pilates
The Pilates Method of Body Conditioning develops the body uniformly, corrects posture, restores vitality, invigorates the mind and elevates the spirit.
Joseph Pilates
Welcome to Duque Pilates!
Why DO PILATES?
My journey…
I had spine surgery at the age of 51, due to an old injury that happened rooting back to when I was seven years old. It progressed with age and gaining bad habits along the way, a couple of common examples that many overlook: not doing recovery after workouts and simply not correcting proper posture…. As a result, many years later, I have had to go through a series of physical therapy and treatments —I developed bursitis and had to have hip surgery, bunioneictomies, and, inevitably, the most recent, an extreme lateral inter body fusion, on my L4-L5” surgery on August, 2024 (very serious spine procedure). It was not an easy decision to have this surgery, hitting the “over fifty” threshold, and another big consideration was due to how difficult the recovery was going to be.
Recovery truly tested my patience and will power. Beyond that, I had realized the importance of giving myself grace and simply some space to just be. (Googled “meditation” during different times of the days on my recovery days!)
Thankfully, having practiced Pilates a couple of years pre-surgery at this point, I had some level of confidence. The recovery period started out daunting, but my body was physically fit enough to heal properly.
At first, it seemed like it would be forever—no activity for 4-6 weeks, no BRAT (bending, reaching, arching, twisting). For someone who has Hashimotos (hypothyroidism disease) and high insulin resistance—who basically worked out 6-7 days/week, this zero-activity was going to be beyond torture. The focus and discipline that I had developed through Pilates kicked in; *by six months, I was done with physical therapy and was ready to increase my exercise.
Inspired and energized, I had been training to acquire my comprehensive training to be a pilates instructor since February, 2025, and still practicing daily. My balance, strength, and range of motion is more than what it was pre-surgery.
*There are still so many things to experience and do, and I would like to stay as active, for as long as possible. Health allows us to do this, IF you allow it. I want to help people heal. I have witnessed how Pilates can treat sleepless nights and address the unspeakable pains that I thought would never go away.
My journey is just the beginning. I encourage anyone who may feel weary with pain and low on hope to level up and give Pilates a try! Why not?! ! -Fritzie (June, 2025)
Who is Pilates?
Why PILATES?
Who is JOSEPH PILATES?
He’s THE man! (December, 1883- October, 1967) Mr. Joseph “Pilates” holds the brand recognition for the trending workout that was developed from “Contrology,” currently referred to as, “Pilates,” which is the discipline that many practice until today. It’s a workout that is very gentle on the joints; it is good for any person, at any health-level, looking for “a well-balanced mind, body, and spirit,” wanting to tone muscles, improve flexibility and maintain a healthy spine.
Although initially it wasn’t called “Pilates” right away, until after his death (initially called “Contrology”), he has had a genuine and strong following who kept the discipline going, from all walks of life. The success is most likely credited to Joseph Pilates’ consistent passion for health, mobility and exercise, which his “disciples” also closely practiced.
Roots of Pilates inspirations had been from his environment growing up, being that he was a sickly child, where he developed workouts that were easily accessible. For example, being around the gymnastics/gym owned by his family, around the woods during his childhood, and being in the military during his older years, where he developed the reformer and equipment that originated from the bed with springs used by wounded in the military. Although it was very low budget, the results were so amazing, as these tools are still being used today…
(Personal Story) My spine was injured at a very young age (fell off a tall tree). As expected, my bones had degenerated with age. Throughout the years, it affected my posture as I did other physical activities, and it propagated to other injuries. The result: hip bursitis, bunionectomies, and the latest: my August, 2024 (extreme lateral inter body fusion, L4-L5) spine surgery. BUT, because of just even a couple of years of Pilates, I was able to maintain a healthy lifestyle. From there, I was able to recover incredibly well. I am forever grateful to Joseph Pilates—it has allowed me to enjoy life, stay mobile feeling rejuvenated.