Jessica Lucas is a stage four breast cancer survivor. She is also a Pilates instructor and part owner of a Pilates studio. Jessica turned to Pilates at age 33 after her breast cancer diagnosis. She says "Pilates became a cornerstone throughout my diagnosis and treatment". Her treatment over 7 years has included surgeries, chemo, and hundreds of infusions, but she remained committed to her Pilates and practice, and to living as strongly as she could.
About a year and a half ago, Jessica opened a Pilates studio. I am very moved by the way she talks about doing that because she sees it as a commitment to living in the future - having the confidence to project being here in the future. Jessica's story is profound and inspiring in a lot of ways. You can read more about how she worked with her cancer diagnosis in a blog from Pam Stephan, About.com's guide to breast cancer: Jessica Lucas Teaches Pilates, Survives Breast Cancer. There is also a wonderful video of Jessica on youtube of Jessica talking about her experience.
What Jessica's story brought to mind for me today is all the ways that Pilates is a cornerstone in my own life. I am thankful that I haven't had to deal with the kind of health challenge that Jessica Lucas has, but relating to a consistent Pilates practice over many years has had a profound effect on my life.
Is Pilates making a big difference in your life? Feel free to tell your story. Comments are welcome.
Related Reading: Pilates Exercise for Breast Cancer Recovery
This really inspired me and I appreciate you posting it…only found it now because I added you to my google reader feed. You always provide interesting, solid, useful information here.
Wow. Thank you so much for saying that! It inspired me too.
BTW to other readers: if you want to add my blog to your google reader feed or other RSS feed, the link to that info is in the very bottom right corner of the page.
You can always tell an expert! Thanks for cotnirbtiung.