Over 20 years of working as a physiotherapist has taught me countless lessons about the human body. One of the most important? The need to progress exercises thoughtfully and intentionally as patients recover.

 

I've seen firsthand what happens when the body is overloaded too quickly—the strain on muscles, soft tissues, joints, and even the nervous system can be significant. This is why I always emphasize individualized treatment plans. When rehabilitation and maintenance are tailored specifically to someone’s needs, the outcomes can be transformative.

 

But it wasn’t until life threw me off my own fitness path that I truly understood the power of leveling up workouts. For years, I had danced, run, and worked out for 10 hours a week. Fitness was my anchor. Then, life got busy. Too busy. I found myself with little time or energy to prioritize my workouts. While I didn’t have any major pain or discomfort, I could feel my fitness slipping away. My strength and endurance weren’t what they used to be, and I was hesitant to push myself too hard, fearing injury.

That hesitation came from experience. As a dancer, I had dealt with injuries that left me in pain for years. My feet and calves were constant reminders of how fragile the body can be when pushed beyond its limits. So, when I decided it was time to rebuild my fitness, I approached it carefully. I stumbled upon an online workout series that seemed to fit perfectly with what I needed: three levels of progression and the flexibility to do it at home. The plan recommended starting with level one daily for ten days before moving up. For me, that wasn’t realistic—but I made it work by scheduling it every other day. Slowly but surely, I built up to level three, and by the end of it, I felt energized enough to lace up my running shoes again.

 

Running has always been where I feel most free and alive, and getting back to it after my break was an incredible moment for me. That experience reaffirmed my belief in the three-level approach I’ve used in my Pilates classes for the past 17 years. It’s a system that allows everyone to progress at their own pace, feel challenged in just the right way, and avoid the risks of injury.

 

When the pandemic hit, I decided to take my practice online. It’s been wonderful to see so many people benefit from this method, just as I did when I restarted my own fitness journey. Staying active is essential, but it’s about doing it in a way that feels good and leaves you well-balanced.

 

Fitness isn’t about pushing yourself to the limit. It’s about keeping your body strong, mobile, and prepared for the demands of daily life.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from my journey—both as a physiotherapist and as someone who’s been through her own ups and downs with fitness—it’s that progress happens when we listen to our bodies, respect our limits, and take the time to build a solid foundation. That’s where true strength and resilience come from.