Client Spotlight: Charae
A lot of people with chronic back pain are waiting.
Waiting for a good day to start. Waiting until the pain is more manageable. Waiting to see if things improve on their own. Waiting for some sign that it’s safe to try something new.
Charae was there. She had chronic back pain that would flare so badly she’d end up in bed for a full week, unable to move. Everyday things — bending, pulling, taking out the trash — were unpredictable at best. Her body had become something she didn’t quite trust anymore.
She stopped waiting. She started moving.
Charae just hit 100+ sessions at Havenwell, and what she told me at her milestone stopped me in my tracks.
In Her Own Words
I asked Charae what the biggest change has been since she started. She didn’t lead with how she feels in the studio, or how much stronger she’s gotten at Pilates. She led with her life.
“I can do all those things now. All of them. I can bend, I can pull, I can change the trash bags. All the things that I couldn’t do before, I can do all of them. And my back isn’t going out anymore.” — Charae
She’s no longer holding her breath before she bends down. She’s not calculating whether today is a safe day to do ordinary things. She just… does them.
I actually got a little teary hearing it.
Why Waiting Often Makes It Harder
Here’s something I see a lot: people with chronic pain wait for the perfect conditions to start moving, but the waiting itself can make things worse. Muscles weaken. Movement patterns get more guarded. The fear of pain becomes its own kind of pain.
That’s not a judgment, either. It makes complete sense, and I’ve been there. When your body has let you down repeatedly, caution feels like self-protection. But sometimes the most protective thing you can do is find a safe, supported way to start moving again.
At Havenwell, that’s exactly what we specialize in. We work with people who have fusions, disc issues, scoliosis, and chronic pain — people who need movement that’s intelligent and tailored, not generic. Every session is built around where you are right now, with modifications for every exercise so nothing ever feels like a one-size-fits-all situation.
For Charae, that meant building trust with her body slowly, consistently, over time. 100+ sessions of showing up and doing the work.
What Consistency Actually Builds
I want to be honest: 100 sessions isn’t a quick fix. It’s a lot of time. It’s choosing to show up when life is busy and progress feels invisible. It’s trusting the process even in the weeks where nothing feels like it’s changing.
But here’s what that consistency built for Charae: a body she trusts again. A back that doesn’t sideline her for a week at a time. The freedom to move through her everyday life without bracing for impact.
That’s not nothing. That’s everything.
If You’ve Been Waiting, This Is for You
If Charae’s story sounds familiar, if you’ve been living with chronic pain and telling yourself you’ll start when things settle down, or when you feel a little better, or when the timing is right, I want to gently offer you this:
The timing is probably not going to feel perfect. But a good starting point? That much we can build together.
We have a limited number of spots open right now for new private clients, both in-person in Franklin, TN and virtually via Zoom. These are filling up, and once they’re gone, new clients go on a waitlist.
If you’re ready to stop waiting, we’re ready to meet you there.
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.