Hi everyone
27 months since HA& 5 stents!
Walk 2-3 miles alternate days, but today decided to go back to Pilates after all this time& found when I got home I started to feel sick, awful fatigue& heart thumping a little.
I’ve booked a six week course, & thought everything would be Ok after this time, but think it’s now not for me!
anyone else find this after Pilates ?
Thanks for listening ! Florence
It's not surprising today was one of the hottest of the year so not the best day to do very physical exercise.It's hard to get back to classes if you haven't done those exercises for some time so it's better to start slower.
Unfortunately, we can all fall into the trap of trying to complete the class at the same speed and ability level that we used to do before we were ill.
This will inevitably cause some symptoms and delayed muscle soreness.
The advice on returning to classes is to take it slow and steady , do less repetitions than the whole class , take more rests or only complete a shorter class and the more moderate routines.
A good pilates teacher should find out your medical information and use that to instruct you to step out or go slow with certain movements or suggest easier classes.
Drink well before you class and potentially have a snack.
Warm up beforehand and cool down slowly.
Drink during your class between movement changes while you also take a minute to rest and breath.
If it's very hot weather or you are feeling a bit under the weather give it a miss .
You will eventually build up from your current comfort zone back towards a level close to your previous ability as things get easier and your exercise tolerance increases without getting tired or having these symptoms. It can just take a little time and patience. Listen to your body not just the teachers instruction.
Try this new moderate method but if you still find it's too much , too soon consider swapping to Tai Chi or chair based or low intensity pilates instead.
Thank you for your advise. It was a small class, plenty of ventilation& she took it quite easy. I think it was the lying on my front& possibly the child’s pose that got to me. Will give it another try next week.
Yes there are certain moves in pilates and yoga that you shouldn't do for at least six months after heart surgery, and in some cases won't be right for you to do permanently if you get discomfort or pain while lying on your chest or side.Out of interest, had your pilates instructor requested your medical information or had you told them about your heart history before starting this class?
In reality, a good teacher of any type of exercise class should ask everyone their health status and should readily be giving warnings to step out of certain movements throughout a class to sit aside if they have certain health conditions or back problems.
If they aren't , no matter how skilled or famous they might be they are not a good teacher well trained and qualified to run a class for students of varying abilities or needs. Also, you may have used a class with a specific teacher for years when you were healthy and felt like they were amazing but it doesn't necessarily mean they are that great now that you have health issues if they haven't had the training or experience of working with students with varied physical abilities or needs.
Let's put it this way , my Mum , a trained dance instructor, choreographer and fitness instructor when she was with us, would never have put you in a full class or put you in certain movements without standing by your side to check if you should continue it.
It's why I usually suggest to anyone considering returning to classes to do some local research after any health problem . It's better to look for classes run by a teacher whom also runs classes for people whom are sent to them via the exercise referral scheme, or are recommended as good teachers by local cardiac or spinal health groups or physiotherapists or friends that you know whom have that condition and have used those classes.
Low impact pilates is then better and safer for you than an aerobics class ( unless it's specifically ran for cardiac health).
along with what bleary eyed has said so comprehensively, it might be the lying-down positioning that doesn’t suit you - so it might be better to stick with standing or sitting routines.
I think your right, it’s maybe the lying down that effected me. Think an aerobics class for my age group suits me better. Thanks Rosie!
Have you thought about yoga as an alternative ? Its non competitive and gentler (other than ashtanga) I've been going to yoga classes for years other than during covid and after OHS and iit's great fo maintaining flexibility and balance.
I have done yoga for years but after a stroke, Afib and DCM there were a number of stances I couldnt do. I missed it so much Ive taken up chair yoga and now do 2 sessions a week. Its gentle but deceptive as it's maintained my balance and flexibility which at my age, 78 is so important
That’s a good alternative, I’ll give yoga a try, thank you.
I have returned to pilates, I usually do it twice/week, one in a class and once online, I went back after 3 months. (9 months now since triple CABG) As others have said take it slowly to start with. I did start the online class first, as you can rest as needed, without peer pressure from others in the class. I did initially use cushioning under my sternum if I was face down and be careful with roll-ups as the dizziness can kick in.
I think that it is worth persevering as the exercised stretching is so beneficial (I'm 73)
Maybe just a bad day for me after a poor nights sleep. I agree it’s so beneficial, will persevere!👍
Morning, your Pilates instructor should be giving you alternative moves until you get back to your previous strength and flexibility. I have 2 teachers both very different teaching practices. I have also used pilateslive on the internet. She is a physio and you can message her if your issues. She will advise on the best way to go forward. Little and often. I have SVT and I can be lay down on my front, my heart going like a racing car in my chest..
I would like to try the internet, could u give me her name jenny & what sight she is on. Thanks
Pilateslive.co.uk - it’s free site teachers name is Vicky.
Before my SVT was diagnosed, I had a discectomy on my lower back. She got me moving ! Good luck x
I do Pilates. I’ve gradually built it up so don’t try and do what you did before straight away. Step it down and then build it back up. I always eat before I go and keep hydrated. Some days I find it easier than others. Good luck
Intro
Post AVR 3 & 1/2 weeks, Atrial Fibrillation 
CAD and OMT/STATINS
Pain under arm pit area following by pass surgery.
Wrong medication sorted
