Overcoming Challenges: Carolyn’s Pilates Journey

Meet Carolyn Higgins, Le Bureau’s client spotlight of the month! I met Carolyn at SAC in 2013; where she would frequent my weekly Pilates mat class. Soon after I left SAC in 2017, Carolyn frequented my workouts in the park and after that she started coming to Le Bureau!   I am so glad she did!  She always enters with a smile, she takes her time, stays curious, and sometimes experiences a good sweat!  She has had some physical obstacles over the past 10 years, most recently a clavicle surgery, but she doesn’t let any of her ‘challenges’ get her down.  Instead, she stays positive, looks on the bright side, and moves on!

When Carolyn is not at Le Bureau, she spends her time as a freelance writer.  Some of her favorite things to do when not in the studio is make art quilts (designed to hang on the wall), learn Italian, cooking, snow sports, and visit art galleries.  Thank you Carolyn for inspiring me to be more positive, curious, and finding the ‘light’ in even the darkest times.

I love the energy and body awareness my Pilates practice gives me. Building strength is exciting, and the relief I have from years of neck and upper back pain that I thought I’d always have to live with is truly a gift. I believe many years of practice made a big difference in how well I withstood multiple injuries from a car accident a couple of years ago. When my collarbone fracture failed to heal fully, it had to be reconstructed. Brooke tailored our sessions to open the chest and back muscles, rebuilding strength and range of motion. My care team was so impressed! Brooke is a patient and supportive coach who also makes our sessions fun.

-Carolyn Higgins

Meet Marilyn Heinemann: Pilates Enthusiast and Inspirational Client of the month

Marilyn Heinemann is Le Bureau’s spotlit client of the month.

Marilyn has been practicing classical Pilates with me for 14 years plus!  I met Marilyn shortly after I started working as the Pilates coordinator at Seattle Athletic club in Seattle.  At the time she was lifting weights and looking to try something new for overall strength and flexibility; I remember her enjoying the leg springs series on the Cadillac. She has been a regular practitioner ever since, practicing 2x a week when she can!

When she is not practicing Pilates at Le bureau, you can find Marilyn tending her immaculate garden, preparing new culinary delights to share with her family and friends, attending some ‘arts’ event, or just watching her favorite new show.  She is respectful of others and herself, always dressed to a tee, and stays up to date with the times!  Her positive attitude and mental/physical abilities reflect someone much younger than she is. Thank you Marilyn for inspiring me in so many ways.  I love working with you and learning about all the things you are up to.

“The things I gain most from Pilates is a sense of greater balance in my movements and it has enabled me to develop and keep strength in my body. I just feel more aware of how my body allows me to keep doing the activities I enjoy as I age.”

-Marilyn