Celebrating Women in Pilates: Joanne's Story

Joanne is truly a Pilates on 10th OG. She has been attending weekly sessions with impressive regularity for over 20 years, since the studio opened up down the block from where it stands now—a testament to her tenacious nature and commitment to keep moving for as long as she can. 

At 87 years old, there is absolutely no doubt that Joanne’s Pilates practice is inspiring. If you’ve had the pleasure of being in the studio with her, you’ll know what I mean! Even on days when it feels daunting, she shows up ready to put in the work, because she knows from experience how beneficial the work is. 

JOANNE AT THE STUDIO

Joanne has Rheumatoid Arthritis,  and for many years doctors told her that she would be in a wheelchair by the time she was 65. Though as a tough—and maybe a little stubborn—Montana girl, this idea did not sit well with her! 

I figure if I just keep moving then I can keep moving. I had some books about Pilates and Calisthenics and that’s where it started for me. Trying to do things from a book or a video kept me moving initially, but when Pilates on 10th opened up right in my neighborhood I started taking classes and found out having an instructor was really useful for understanding how to do the exercises correctly!

Pilates is a lifeline for me, over the years my RA has gotten worse and if I didn't have Pilates I think I’d be stuck in a wheelchair. I'm so glad the studio is here within walking distance. It keeps me mobile… or at least a lot more mobile than everyone thought I could be!”

Joanne is a woman who radiates determination. She’s exactly the type of fire-cracker who just by being herself has inspired generations of women to believe they can do whatever they set their mind to. I asked Joanne to tell me about her life, and where her infectious spirit and motivation comes from:

I learned to read very very early. When I was young my mother would read to me and discovered that I could read the books back to her upside down—so I actually learned to read upside down before I learned right side up! My grandfather was a doctor and had a big library. He would let me look at all of his books and I remember spending hours lying on the floor behind his desk reading while all the men sat around having conversation and smoking cigars. 

I double majored in English and History at the University of Montana and then came to Seattle to attend grad school where I continued to study English. When I married my husband he was writing books about geography…and to me they were all just very pompously written in the third person. I had worked my way through grad school by editing and I had gotten pretty darn good at it! So I started editing his books. Of course he didn't like it at all that I wanted to do this…until he finally had a book published (that I edited!) and it won a prize in England. Well I tell you what, after that he always lets me edit things!

I spent a lot of time growing up in a cabin my Grandfather built near Yellowstone. Mom was telling me ‘don't do this, don't do that, it’s dangerous!’ but I would go ahead and do it anyway. I was often by myself but I knew how to pick the berries that were safe to eat, and I learned how to lie down still by the creek where it rushed through and backed into a little pool… I’d stick my hand in gently and wait until I could snatch out a fish.  

Nature and the land I grew up on really did influence my abilities. It gave me my strong will and my appreciation for movement. As I age, I know I just want to keep moving and be able to walk through the world on my own two feet.

Over the years at Pilates on 10th Joanne has enjoyed working with a number of instructors and being part of the community of clients that makes this studio so special. Check out this video of Joanne working hard in a private session with Kim last year! She loves the way she feels after Pilates, it’s what keeps her motivated to keep it up even on the days when it feels a little tougher.

I’m from Montana and people from Montana are just plain stubborn! So when something is hard or my body isn’t cooperating the way I wish it was I don’t give up, and I’m always glad afterward

Thank you Joanne for continuing to inspire us with your spirit and determination! Your story is a testament to the power of Pilates, the power of WOMEN, and a picture of how truly healing movement can be.