Client Spotlight: Laetitia
Laetitia didn’t come to Pilates because she wanted a new hobby.
She came because she had an ACDF (an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, a surgery in the neck) and after physical therapy ended, she knew she needed to keep taking care of that area of her body. She needed intentional, ongoing movement. She needed someone she trusted.
What she didn’t expect was that Pilates would end up giving her so much more than a healthier neck.
Laetitia just celebrated 150 sessions at Havenwell, and her story is one I keep coming back to — because I think it speaks to something a lot of people don’t realize about this kind of work until they’re already in it.
The Journey Might Surprise You
Most people who find their way to Havenwell come in with something specific. A fusion. A disc issue. A surgery they’re recovering from. Pain in one particular place that’s been making life harder than it needs to be.
That was Laetitia. She was focused on her neck, on the changes her ACDF had created in her body, on rebuilding strength and function in that area. And that’s exactly where we started.
But here’s what happens when you work with your whole body consistently over time: it doesn’t stay contained to the original problem. The benefits spread. They show up in places you weren’t even trying to address.
For Laetitia, that’s looked like this: now that she’s “getting more golden” (her words, and I love her for it), she finds exercises that help her feet when they bother her. Movements that ease her hips when they tighten up. A practice that keeps expanding to meet whatever her body needs in that season.
“I came to Pilates originally because I had an ACDF… and what I find is that Pilates not only helps my back and neck issue, but now I find exercises for my feet, exercises for my hips. I find all sorts of movements that help me keep moving.” — Laetitia
Keep moving. That’s the whole point, isn’t it?
What 150 Sessions Looks Like in Real Life
I always love asking clients what’s changed in their everyday life, Not their Pilates life, but their actual life. The answer is almost never what you’d expect.
For Laetitia, it’s this: she can still climb on top of her car to change a light bulb (and yes, she claims this is actually very efficient!).
“I attribute the fact that I’m still able to climb on top of the roof of my car and change light bulbs to the fact that I come to Pilates. I have strength that other people absolutely do not have.” — Laetitia
That’s the goal. Not a number on a scale or a harder exercise variation. Just the ability to keep doing the things you want to do, for as long as you want to do them. Pilates at its best isn’t about performing. It’s about living at your best.
More Than Just Physical Healing
At Havenwell, we approach movement through a trauma-informed lens. That shapes everything about the way we work — how we cue, how we hold space, how we show up for people. It matters deeply to us. But sometimes clients name it in a way that genuinely stops me in my tracks.
When I asked Laetitia what keeps her coming back after all this time, she said:
“Allie is not only my Pilates instructor, she’s also a member of my family. She works on my mental abilities as well as my physical. I feel a real connection — physical and mental — and I attribute that to the fact that Allie’s psychologically aware.” — Laetitia
When you’re working with a body that has hardware in it, a history of surgery, and the very real vulnerability that comes with wanting to stay strong and independent as you get older — you need more than a technically skilled instructor. You need someone who actually sees you.
We try really hard to be that for our clients.
What Laetitia Wants You to Know
I always ask milestone clients what they’d want someone on the fence about Pilates to hear. Laetitia didn’t hesitate:
“It can change your life. Absolutely change your life. Make your body feel better, make your mind feel better.” — Laetitia
She came in for her neck. She stayed for everything else.
150 sessions later, I’d say Pilates delivered. 💚
Is This the Kind of Support You’ve Been Looking For?
If you have a spinal fusion or chronic pain and you’re wondering what’s actually possible, private Pilates at Havenwell might be exactly what you’re missing.
We currently have a limited number of spots open for new private clients, both in-person in Franklin, TN and virtually via Zoom. Once these fill, new clients go on a waitlist. So, if you’ve been thinking about it, now’s a good time to reach out.
About Havenwell Pilates
Havenwell Pilates is a specialized Pilates studio in Franklin, Tennessee, offering private and semi-private sessions both in-person and virtually. Our team specializes in working with clients who have spinal fusions for scoliosis, chronic pain conditions, and those who need modifications for their unique bodies. Every session is customized to meet you where you are, with a focus on sustainable, empowering movement.
Ready to get started? We have openings for private Pilates sessions throughout the week! New clients can try 3 private sessions (in-studio or virtual!) for $300. Fill out the session request form to get started today.