ON THE JOB: PILATES INSTRUCTOR
AMADEU CAMARGO, PRANA PILATES
AS TOLD TO Joshua Brosnahan PHOTO Carolina Maia
I was a very active child but suffered from bouts of bronchitis and allergic rhinitis. I learned early on that taking care of health was essential for good physical and mental balance. In my teens, I looked for alternatives to improve my health and consequently, my performance at surfing, which led me to yoga. Whilst teaching this in Brazil, I also studied massage therapy where I tried the authentic Pilates method; a careful, intelligent and precise way to look at the body in search of greater harmony and physical balance.
I am very open to change and adaptation. I think it’s important to be open to new possibilities and discoveries in the area of health, fitness and wellness, so I use my background in yoga and massage to offer a more individual approach.
I’m 42 years old, and I’ve been teaching for about 15 years. Pilates is for everyone. The oldest client I ever had was 91, and the youngest was nine! Having my own studio has always been a dream, as I like to be free to meet clients’ needs, whatever they may be, without having to be stuck in a single method. This is a natural and important step of progression in any profession.
In addition to the benefits of strength, flexibility and improving capacity, bringing more postural alignment and mainly abdominal strength help to keep the internal organs in their places. A weak abdominal region means internal organs are compressed. Axial spinal stretching exercises help better keep the spine elongated and open the shoulders and chest, and this improves mood and attitude towards life. Pilates also acts on the emotional side and helps with self-esteem.
In order to obtain such benefits, consistency is fundamental. Pilates is a lifelong activity. Prana, the name of my studio means’ force of life’. I believe that the Pilates technique can help people to explore life to its full potential.