Purely Pilates

🚵‍♂️ CLIENT HIGHLIGHT✨ Our buddy, Dan Thornton!

He’s a fifth-generation Nevadan whose ancestors homesteaded in the Truckee Meadows in the 1860s, so his Nevada roots run pretty deep. Dan’s had a wide-ranging journey so far, from being a professional snowboarder after high school to working in the gaming and hospitality industry. He attended university in his 40’s and earned a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies, with concentrations in Environmental Studies, Peace Studies, and Traditional Eastern Arts from Naropa University in Colorado.

Over the years, besides Reno and Carson City, where he currently lives with his family, he has also lived in places like Greece, Maryland, Donner Lake, Lake Tahoe, Jackson Hole, Sun Valley/Ketchum, and Boulder. These days, he spends a lot of time mountain biking, skiing, gardening, and trying to stay strong enough to keep doing the things he loves. We asked him some questions about his Pilates journey.

Dan originally started doing Pilates over twenty years ago, then took about an 18-year break before starting back up here at Purely Pilates. Coming back to it, he says, has been one of the best decisions he's ever made. He started realizing that although he has always been active, he's also always been inflexible, and was losing even more of his flexibility. It was becoming more challenging to even bend over and tie his shoes, *seriously*. That was not okay with him, and it's not how he wanted to continue to live.

He sought out Purely Pilates thanks to a massage therapist recc two years ago, and we're so glad he did!--"There are not really the right words to explain how much I have enjoyed practicing Pilates with Christin and the whole Purely Pilates family. Purely Pilates Rocks!"

Since coming back to Pilates, he notes his flexibility and strength have both increased, and he's able to stay very active without unreasonable soreness or injuries. This past season was one of the best ski seasons he's had in years, he says, because he's stronger than he's been in many seasons. ⛷️ He also mountain bikes pretty seriously, usually 3–5 times a week, and the strength, flexibility, and balance work have helped there as well.

When it comes to his favorite Pilates exercise, it depends on the day, but he loves slow and steady bridges, especially with the ball: "They kick my butt, but my glutes and abs can always use the work."

Dan is a bright light in our studio and we are SO lucky to have him!

And that’s a wrap on Movement Principles and Mat 3! Our first half of the year’s trainings are complete, but there’s more to come!

Keep an eye out for our upcoming June trainings! 👀