Jen Emold, Pilates Director at North Shore Elite Fitness & Racquet Club, 5750 N. Glen Park Rd. in Glendale, recently visited with researchers and physical trainers at the Evelyn F. and William L. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida-Gainsville, to learn more about using the Pilates Method to improve the flexibility, strength, and balance of people with Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Schlerosis and other movement disorders. 

      “Movement is important to a person’s overall strength and health,” said Jen Emold.  “I want to do more to increase the longevity and quality of life for my clients who suffer from these dibilitating diseases.”

      Emold believes the Pilates Method is particularly condusive to helping people with movement disorders.  Pilates is a low-impact, non-abrasive exercise program that can help individuals improve and maintain their range of motion, balance and coordination.  It also helps develop the mental principles of concentration, repetition and relaxation.  In three months, she has seen enormous improvement in one of her own clients using Pilates to offset some of the symptoms of Parkinson’s.

     Emold’s uncle, Dennis Steindler, is the executive director at the McKnight Brain Institute of the University of Florida, one of the nation's most comprehensive and technologically advanced centers devoted to neuroscience.  She was invited to observe and talk with the physical trainers at the Movement Disorders Clinic in September, and will return in spring 2008 to learn more.  Emold offers private, individualized sessions for people with movement disorders.  For more information, contact Emold at 414-351-2900.