26/03/2026
🚨🧠 Let's talk about strokes, or cerebrovascular accidents (CVA).
If any of your Pilates clients are over the age of 55, this is a condition you'll want to know about--whether it's recognizing the symptoms of a stroke if a client has one during a session, or knowing how to safely work with a post-stroke client once they've been cleared for exercise.
On page 418 of my book, Pilates for Rehabilitation (2nd Edition) I go through the details of:
✅ What a stroke is (and the different types of strokes)
✅ Causes and risk factors
✅ Symptoms
✅ Precautions and contraindications
✅ Goals
✅ Recommended Exercises
I also have several modifications in the repertoire (with photos) for this special population of clients (chronic pain and neurological conditions)
The simplest way to describe a stroke is when there is a loss of blood flow to part of the brain, potentially causing brain damage, long-term disability, or even death.
Your clients are at risk of a stroke if they have high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, coronary artery disease, are overweight and/or are not physically active, have heart conditions, smoke, use birth control pills/hormone replacement therapy/anticoagulants/steroids, just to name a few.
Strokes can cause one side of the body to be significantly weaker than the other, and disrupt the pathways between the brain and muscles, resulting in impaired movement patterns.
Balance can be significantly impaired, so it's important to be especially cautious when transitioning your client around the studio, and from different positions like sitting to standing.
When it comes to strokes, every case is different in terms of how much brain damage is caused. Start slow with your client, allow ample rest breaks, and gradually build their confidence over time.
Do you have Pilates clients who have had a stroke? I'd love to hear about how you've been successful with their Pilates practice. DM me or comment below.
