What does it mean to be healthy? According to the World Health Organization (WHO), health constitutes more than not being sick. WHO defines it as a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being. When any of those components aren’t thriving, we aren’t at our healthiest. While good exercise habits aren’t the primary indicator of a healthy human, certain movements can help heal the body, mind, and spirit. Pilates is a comprehensive form of exercise that aims to challenge, strengthen, and enhance the whole person. It is how Diane Sparks, the owner of Club Pilates in Parker, found her healing.
Diane was born in Jamaica and moved to Houston, Texas, during her teenage years. Early in their marriage, Diane and her husband wanted a change, so they relocated to Colorado and raised their children in the great Centennial state. However, the birth of the Sparks’ third child took a toll on Diane’s body. Her physical therapist recommended Pilates for recovery, and it was love at first class. “All the ladies in the class had different body types, but we all shared a similar goal. It was very comfortable and fun,” Diane says. So, she joined the studio.
Meanwhile, Diane felt like her vocation as a stay-at-home mom was coming to a close, so she asked God what to do next. When she was in the middle of a Pilates workout, she experienced a profound moment of clarity. There was a stillness and an assurance that opening a Club Pilates franchise was her next step—an idea that had never crossed her mind before.
“I didn’t say anything to my husband for a month because I thought he’d think I was crazy! But I just couldn’t get the idea of opening a studio out of my head or my heart,” Diane says.
The Sparks family decided to take a leap of faith. They trusted that the studio would serve the community well, and Diane hoped Pilates would help people heal in the same way it helped her.
Why Pilates?
Pilates is an all-inclusive workout and is a sustainable way to invest in your health as you age. The youngest member at Club Pilates Parker is 15, and the oldest is 84. However, accessibility doesn’t mean ease. Pilates targets every muscle group, provides resistance where necessary, and requires concentrated effort. The precision of the practice reportedly translates to clarity of thought and improved focus. Strengthening exercises translate to daily movements, from your posture at work to how you reach for items in your pantry. “Pilates is a lifestyle. It helps you do everything in your daily life better,” Diane says.
When you come into a Club Pilates class, you are supported every step of the way. Instructors ask members about their goals and previous injuries so that any necessary modifications can be made. Then, the instructors guide them through exercises to ensure they’re using the proper form—a benefit that doing Pilates on your own won’t provide. “Form is so important. It transcends into other types of exercise and helps you perform better,” Diane says.
Strengthening the Community
Similar to how Pilates deeply affects multiple areas of life, Diane’s goal is for her studio to deeply impact the community. The studio formed a partnership with SECORCares, an organization that focuses on ending suburban poverty by providing food and other resources. Club members generously supply back-to-school, Thanksgiving, and Christmas food drives. “This is more than a fitness studio,” Diane says. “It’s a place to find your community and a place for you to heal.”
Interested in joining the Club Pilates Parker branch? You can explore several membership options at clubpilates.com/location/parker. Perhaps you want to take it a step further. If 2023 feels like your year to make a career move, consider becoming a Club Pilates instructor! Diane and her team are looking for committed individuals who desire a flexible schedule and are eager to positively impact lives. The Comprehensive Teach Training Program provides a pathway to becoming a Pilates instructor. To learn more, visit TK.
When you come into a Club Pilates class, you are supported every step of the way. Instructors ask members about their goals and previous injuries so that any necessary modifications can be made.