expanding the possibilites of movement
Hi, I'm Lori. I will help you have a better relationship with movement. Let's change the narrative to appreciate what a privilege it is to move our body.
What is Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and how can Pilates help?
There are 13 types of Ehlers Danlos Syndromes (EDS). The conditions are caused by genetic changes that affect connective tissue. Connective tissue is found throughout the body, where it provides support, protection, and structure to other parts of the body. Hypermobile EDS (hEDS) is the most common type of EDS by far.
The following signs and symptoms of EDS are seen across all types of EDS and have a direct impact on movement and exercise:
=joint hypermobility and/or instability
=dislocations and/or subluxations
=scoliosis
=hernias
=easy bruising
=pelvic floor weakness and prolapse, bladder issues
=skin hyperextensibility
=tissue fragility
=scarring and poor wound healing
=fatigue
=headaches
=GI issues like SIBO
=allergies and hives (MCAS)
=dysautonomia (POTS)
Those with EDS have challenges with :
=balance
=proprioception
=posture
=control
How common is this condition? Truth is we don't really know because it's been so underdiagnosed and underreported. The guesstimates are 1 in 600 to 900 people. That's a lot of people underserved and misunderstood.
Pilates has a great deal to offer those with hEDS. Aside from improved posture, stability, muscular strength and endurance, it optimizes movement patterns, muscle activation and improves proprioception. Because Pilates focuses so much on building body awareness it has a significant impact on enhancing our proprioception and fostering a sense of center, balance and stability.
Pilates can also have a huge impact on calming the nervous system by forging new neural pathways and neuromuscular connections. This integration is at the heart of a Pilates practice and a key reason that Pilates has such value for hypermobility. Integrating the mind with the body, the breath with the movement it helps to bring awarenss from the outside in. I have always found Pilates as a practice somewhat meditative but moreso it provides the feeling of integration of being in and fully occupying the body in mind, body and spirit.
You may have noticed, many of the above challenges and conditions are also present in other populations we may see in a Pilates studio such as pre/post natal clients with their increased ligament and tendon flexibility and our active aging population that work on balance and proprioception. So gaining expertise working with those with EDS will also benefit other clients and vice versa.
INSPIRING PEOPLE TO REACH NEW heights
About Me:
With a degree from the University of Connecticut in Speech-Language Pathology, Lori learned one of the core principles of Pilates: the power of breath and how to activate the core muscles for proper breathing techniques. However, it wasn’t until 2005 that she was introduced to Pilates when a herniated disc injury sidelined her active lifestyle. Pilates aided in not only her recovery but also allowed her to identify the imbalances in other areas of her body. (And there were many!) It was then she decided to immerse herself in Pilates’ highly effective conditioning practice and share its powerful mind and body transformation possibilities with others by becoming a fully certified Pilates Instructor through Pilates Sports Center (PSC). In addition to her back injury, she has also benefited from using Pilates to work through shoulder surgery, a complete elbow dislocation, ankle sprains, SI Joint dysfunction and cranio-cervical instability (to name a few). Her frequent visits to the orthopedic surgeon combined with other seemingly unrelated health issues provided the road map to her diagnosis of hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS), a connective tissue disorder that causes laxity in ligaments and tendons and other connective tissue in the body. Knowing first hand how a body in pain can affect every part of life, she uses that awareness to help people experience the benefits that come from having the balanced and strong body that Pilates can offer even with an injury or a condition like EDS. Lori has continued to evolve her teaching through continuing education workshops, seminars and certifications from highly respected Pilates professionals in the industry. She has also earned a special certification in the Integral Movement Method from the Ehlers Danlos Society and completed Level 1 Neurokinetic Therapy (NKT).
Whether you are a professional or weekend athlete looking to be better at your sport, are pre/post natal, are recovering from an injury/surgery or just seeking a healthier and more balanced life, Lori has a reputation for applying her over 15 years of experience to help you achieve your goal by customizing a program just for you. She has a concentrated focus of working with those living with EDS and networks with other practitioners globally to bring a multi disciplinary approach to helping clients navigate this painful and complex condition.
I am fortunate to have the love and suport of an amazing husband. We love to travel and when I am not teaching or traveling you can find me working with cat rescue organizations (I am working on integrating 2 ferals into our existing fur family of 2 resident cats.) Watching animals move gives me inspiration for human movement too. They are such naturals!
CUSTOM-CREATED programs
1-ON-1 TRAINING/Mentor
> Privates in person and via Zoom - whether you have a reformer or just a wall and a mat we can do great things.
> Pilates teacher mentorship on hEDS and session planning - questions about whether your client may have EDS or Hypermobile Spectrum Disorder? I can help. I have a network of global experts that I collaborate with regularly on how best to serve my clients.
mind/body/spirit
Being able to calm the nervous system is an essential part of any wellness journey and it's been difficult for me to quiet the mind. Here's a few resources I really love:
Headspace App for meditation
10% happier book and podcast Dan Harris is an absolute treasure in this space
Accessing the Healing Powers of the Vagus Nerve book
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when I'm not teaching
> I am passionate about Cat Rescue and the benefits of TNR (trap/neuter/release) programs. I even have a separate IG for it
> Major sneaker head (it's a bit of a prob)
> Travel - latest obession: New Zealand
> Music - Coldplay all day every day
> Sports - GS Warriors, SF Giants and UCONN basketball
> Staying Home - mostly a homebody
EDS ADVOCACY
Having a rare(ish) condition like EDS can feel very isolating. HANGING OUT in pain by yourself is no fun which is why when I found others that I could talk to about my experiences and get support from a community that gets it, that was everything! I want to share some of those with you.
- EDS patient support community
- The Zebra Club app
- Hypermobility Handouts by Leslie Russek PT, DPT, PhD, OCS
- Cortney Gensemer - PhD EDS specialist working on cutting edge latest research
- Hypermobility without Tears book by Jeannie di Bon
- Disjointed book - multiple speacialists contributed
- Bendy Bodies podcast
- Mast Cell Activation Syndrome is a very commom coexisting condition. Mast cells live in our connective tissue so it's important to understand how it can effect you
- Dysautonomia/POTS often occurs with EDS but it's also triggered by viruses. This dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system has a significant effect on daily life - whether you're exercising or not
