About 30 years ago, I experienced severe back aches due to poorly taught Pilates and Dance techniques. I could not stand well and straighten my back for a long time. Since I was developing my dance career, it was a scary experience. Of course, I consulted one of the best sports medicine doctors in NYC. Unfortunately, my MRI showed that my lower spine/lumbar curve was well preserved and that my tailbone was normal. However, without knowing the problem or cause, the doctor wanted to refer me to a physical therapist, a massage, and prescribed pain medications. I questioned how he could choose a treatment without understanding the problem. When I asked him, “What is the problem? Why do I have pain?”, he could not give me an answer, except to say, “Just try physical therapy. OK?” It was not OK. He knew nothing about my body! I was a dancer and did not want to do something that might worsen the problem or waste my time, money, and energy. So I became interested in discovering the meaning of “Truth in Health”.
I sought answers to my pain by trying several exercises, including Yoga, Gyrotonic Expansion System, classic-style stretching, Feldenkrais Method, Rolfing, Chiropractic Care, and massages, etc. I realized that the type of exercise was not the most critical factor; instead, it was the manner or approach in which the exercise was applied. It had to be based on a proper understanding of human anatomy and the interrelationships and interdependencies among the body’s subsystems and mechanics. I also realized that the manner or approach strongly relates to both the practitioner’s and recipient’s positive (or negative) energy.
What I’m about to say may sound strange to many people who exercise. However, I also realized that in standard Pilates, Yoga, Dance or other exercise movement back then, the usual instructions being given should be the direct opposite, in other words, the instructions needed to be: 1) Do not draw/pull in or hold your abs, 2) Do not squeeze your butt, 3) Do not tuck your pelvis, 4) Do not push your shoulders down. So I became very sensitive and focused on the correct versus the incorrect movements. I learned that words are misused or misinterpreted, leading to improper physical movements.
When you follow the common instructions, engage the abdomen, pull the shoulders down, and squeeze the buttocks, what happens to your posture? Your core muscles are locked and immobilized as if you had a corset. This is against the natural movement of the human body, which interrupts even internal organ functions and energy flow.
I learned that incorrect movements can lead to bad habits that negatively affect a person’s health. I also learned how emotions affect body movements. For example, when a person is angry, he/she will tighten his/her jaw, which causes neck stiffness. So, it’s better to loosen the jaw first before doing any type of strengthening exercise.
Everything was making sense now!!! My mission to discover “Truth in Health” has taken me well beyond the body’s nervous, muscular, and skeletal subsystems and very far from my Pilates beginnings. As outlined in my profile, my practice has evolved into the Makiko Method through continuous personal enlightenment and formal certification processes. As I continue to apply my techniques and concepts, my derived knowledge and experience are absorbed and harmonized naturally into my senses and intuition.
I am most grateful to my clients for their open-mindedness, willingness to embrace different ideas and approaches, and, above all, trust in me. Their commitment to the Makiko Method has led countless people to believe in and apply their own Natural Healing Power.
This is my story.