MY STORY

Life after chronic pain

Hi, I’m Saul, the founder and principal instructor at Pilates To Be.‍ ‍

For 25 years, I lived with chronic back pain (diagnosed lumbar osteoarthritis and other spinal degenerations) and I also had to have a total hip-replacement in my late 40s, so I understand first hand the impact of pain on our physical and mental wellbeing.

I created Pilates To Be because after years of trying many different exercise and movement programs, I finally cured my chronic back pain. I want to share this knowledge to help others get stronger, move freely and live with less, or even no, pain. The results are transformative both physically and for our mental wellbeing.

After practicing Pilates for over a decade, I noticed that it reduced but did not resolve my back pain and my back would still spasm every now and then, leaving me bedridden for days even though I was training regularly 2-3x a week for years (reformer and mat) and with some great teachers here and overseas. Very disheartening and so I began to question the Pilates Method.

A few years ago I learned about a modern form of Pilates that applies current exercise science to the original teachings of Joseph Pilates and removed many myths and restrictions that sadly are still widely taught since Mr. Pilates passed away (e.g. the ‘rule’ that knees mustn’t go past toes in a lunge or not raising hips too far in a bridge and there are many many other such ‘rules’). These ‘rules’ are not in fact part of the original Joseph Pilates program and they are not supported by current science. I call these ‘rules’, movement ‘myths’ which I now know to a great extent limited my ability to fully heal and make progress. 

Current exercise best-practice guidelines (that Pilates To Be follow) support the way Pilates was originally developed, before these movement myths, regrettably, crept in after Mr Pilates passed away. 

After switching to an evidence-based Pilates practice, to my surprise and absolute joy, my chronic back pain disappeared completely and I haven’t had a back spasm in years!

I just knew I had to offer people the chance to practice evidence-based Pilates, free of all the ‘movement myths, so they too could maximise all the available benefits so I left my full-time corporate career to became a Pilates instructor.

To deepen my knowledge further and provide best-in-class instruction, I then completed a one year Diploma in Clinical Pilates which amongst other things taught me the principles of strength training, correct rehab from any injury or condition, and a thorough understanding of pain science. The Diploma is the only Government certified clinical Pilates qualification worldwide.

I'm passionate about sharing this knowledge and helping others get stronger, more flexible, to live with less or no pain and simply ‘do life better’.

Strengthen and Move, it’s why we came To Be!

We give you the tools to reduce or eliminate long term pain and overcome movement restrictions (including back and shoulder pain, joint and neck pain, stiffness or weakness), improve balance and flexibility, strengthen core and tone muscles, and to rehab from injury or surgery.

We support a personal practice within a group setting so you are Free To Move at your own pace, take breaks when you need it or push harder if desired. Simply put, you’re Free To Be!

We are proudly evidence-based Pilates practitioners and are about movement empowerment not myth-based rules. I and many clients are proof it works. Join our Free To Move & Free To Be community.

My credentials

  • Diploma in Clinical Pilates through Breathe Education (Australian Government accredited)

  • Pilates instructor through Breathe Education (comprehensive qualification)

  • 20 years Pilates practice, several years instructor

  • Lawyer in my spare time ;)