Conditioning For Every Body

By Angeline Acain

Located in the heart of Forest Hills is Spencer Pilates Arts. Spencer Baker opened his fitness studio in 2006 and has not only helped people feel an overall sense of wellbeing but has helped people with severe back, shoulder and neck pains as well as knee injuries.

Pilates is a low impact physical fitness system developed by a German man, Joseph Pilates, in the early 20th century. As a child, Pilates suffered with asthma, rickets and rheumatic fever; but as a young adolescent he was determined to restore his own health. He studied yoga, martial arts, bodybuilding and gymnastics overcoming his physical conditions and sculpting his physique so well that he was posing for anatomical charts. This was the start of this popular and effective system of exercise that includes machines invented by Pilates. Pilates later immigrated to America and set up his fitness studio in New York City. Fitness through Pilates became popular with dancers when Martha Graham, George Balanchine and other performers embraced Joseph Pilates methods both for total body conditioning as well as for rehabilitating injuries.

It's not surprising that all of the teachers at Spencer Pilates Arts in Forest Hills have dance backgrounds including Spencer Baker. However you don't have to be a dancer to enjoy the health benefits of Spencer Pilates Arts. Says Baker, "Dancers are attracted to the Pilates method. The two traditions are connected as modern-era dancers were the first people to embrace the teachings of Joe Pilates. Most of our teachers are dancers but I believe that the percentage of people in my studio who have danced professionally is a seriously small percentage."

Originally from Chicago, Baker came to New York City to attend school, receiving a Master's in Fine Arts degree from Hunter College. Says Baker, "I wound up in Queens because it was the nicest and most affordable borough to live in." He continues, "I came to New York to learn about art and artists; I didn't realize I'd actually make my living from helping people. I was dancing and also working as a photographer but I had a part time job at a physical therapy clinic that had some aspects that were actually more rewarding than pushing my next art project."

Prior to opening Spencer Pilates Arts, Baker ran a program at a physical therapy clinic that specialized in Pilates for rehabilitation. "I wound up getting my first Pilates job in a physical therapy clinic. I found their guidance invaluable, especially when I was starting out. It's true that many doctors don't even know what Pilates is but some are wisely getting into the sport themselves. Pilates is becoming more and more accepted as a tool to assist doctors and physical therapists," says Baker. "New York Hospital for Special Surgery now has its own Pilates program and many physical therapy clinics have at least one Pilates machine. However, it's important not to confuse Pilates with physical rehabilitation. The Pilates method was created to both stretch and strengthen your body in a way that attempts to prevent common injuries. That's not the same thing as seeing a physical therapist that is trained in fixing all kinds of specific and even chronic injuries. The Pilates method can assist in fixing an injury - perhaps with some medical guidance- but primarily it's a sport, and a leisurely one at that."

Baker firmly believes that all people should have affordable access to the Pilates method and a beginner can take 10 Mat Classes for $130 or a single Mat Class for $15 at Spencer Pilates Arts. He has worked with all populations and says, "I don't believe Pilates is made for a specific type of person. I've had clients who were elderly and those who were disabled. I've worked on teenagers, women who were pregnant, men and women of all shapes and sizes. Of course, in order to work with specific populations you have to have experience; it took me many years to get comfortable. That being said, I think that Pilates is for nearly everybody."

For a full rate and class schedule and more information call 718-261-0596 or email spencerpilatesarts@mac.com. Visit their web site at www.spencerpilatesarts.com.