Pain free! That is a lifestyle I never thought I would enjoy again. Five years ago I was struggling to recover from back surgery. I had strained the scar tissue in my back and nothing was making me feel better. I was unable to sit or stand for any period of time without nerve pain in my leg. I would be up all night, tossing and turning, trying to position myself to ease the pain. Life for me was about getting through each day in a way that I could deal with my pain. One day as I was considering another back procedure, I was introduced to Anthony Rabara and his Pilates program. Anthony worked with me carefully, and slowly started to heal me through strengthening and stretching. My body became more strong and limber than ever before. Now, five years later, I am still working out with Anthony and am able to live a full and pain free lifestyle. I can enjoy sitting in a movie theater or standing at a social event without pain. I can drive my children to their activities without having to stop frequently to stretch. I have even started to golf again and rode horses this summer in Wyoming. I now sleep comfortably the entire night. Thank you Anthony Rabara and Pilates for giving me a pain free and better life.
Our son Siva was born with hyper-mobile joints and poor muscle tone from a congenital connective tissue disorder. Exercise is far more important for him than for other children his age who get their workout from sports. It is equally important to find a teacher for him. Many experienced teachers were not confident about providing instruction to a 9 year old with special needs. Some were unable to undertake the responsibility in handling a child with special needs. Anthony Rabara’s willingness to try and help us gave us hope that we found a teacher of great experience and courage. We were on probation for many months. Anthony fitted us in his tight schedule working with great care for a period of months. Anthony refused to take tuition from us until he was sure that he could help Siva! Siva has been learning Pilates from Anthony Rabara since May 2000. Anthony’s loving care and attention has produced visible improvement in Siva’s health. We are thankful and happy Siva has the opportunity to learn from such a dedicated teacher. Siva has always enjoyed learning from Anthony and every week he looks forward to attending his Pilates lesson. We hope Siva learns more from Anthony than Pilates. His helpful nature, thought in action, good cheer and sense of humor and attitudes in life would be as great an asset to our son as the physical benefits. We feel Siva and many others in New Jersey are fortunate to have Anthony as their teacher.
As a national and international competitive figure skater, balance as well is strength is crucial. After my very first lesson at Anthony Rabara’s pilates studio, my performance on the ice was enhanced by a new sense of balance and awareness of my body. And with each and every lesson of pilates that I had, my posture, strength, as well as stability improved. During my time of injury, I had to take a month off of training to rest my back, and with pilates, I was able to stay injury free and helped the recovery process and got me right back on track in training. Thank you Anthony and Pilates for helping me recover and establishing a new awareness of every movement!
I had just given up rowing with the Carnegie Lake Rowing Association in 2001. I was tired of getting up at 5:00 in the morning (what a drag) and then going off to teach at M.C.C.C. I needed to find an exercise program that would be an effective way of working out. I decided to go to Anthony Rabara’s Pilates Studio in Princeton and it was hands down the best thing that I ever did for my body. It strengthens, lengthens and tones your body. There are so many workouts that you can try, but Anthony’s studio is outstanding. I am 76 years old and have been coming to the studio for 11 years. I have always worked out, but being in the studio over the years, has made me fully appreciate the kindness and professionalism of the instructors. They don’t stop guiding and urging students to do more, to reach higher and to breath deeper. Whenever I am not doing something right, they will say things like, ….”relax your shoulders, lengthen through the back of your neck, scoop your belly in.” I hear their words as I go about my day. I am always learning something new and that is the beauty of Anthony’s classes, never ever boring.