IN

GRATITUDE

In The Tradition of Pilates Elders & First Generation Teachers

A Word Of Thanksgiving From Desima, Founder of Pilates Performance & Rehab

To the female trailblazers, philanthropists, educators, and public servants born before 1960 whose shoulders I dared to stand on, you have inspired and empowered me.

To Gerald Lauber, Dave Cavanaugh, Byron Porter, and all the other "good men" behind this "successful" woman, I thank you for your trust, confidence, and professionalism, especially in an era when young women seldom owned a business and those who did were typically funded or linked to their husbands or fathers. I am also grateful for a husband who embraced a wife who "brought home the bacon" and then skillfully "cooked it up in a pan".

To Dr. Phillip Baker, Founder of Kansas Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, and the SE Kansas medical and dental community who were receptive to the Pilates Methodology of Healing Movement and embraced complementary therapies as an important part of their personal and professional practices, I thank you for being a catalyst in the development and success of Pilates Performance & Rehab.

To Joseph and Clara Pilates and the Pilates Elders, thank you for sharing your vast body of knowledge and vision with the next generation of teachers and practitioners.

To Kenny Endelman and the Balanced Body Team, thank you for building Joseph Pilates's visionary adaptive apparatus, allowing PPR to be a continuing education Host Site, and providing an opportunity to teach seasonally in Italy.

To Dr. Brent Anderson and the OG Polestar Pilates Educators who trained and mentored me in intelligent movement, I thank you for trusting me and my gifted team to introduce Pilates-based Rehab and Contrology to the Midwest.

To the greater Pilates community of educators and affiliates, I am better because of you!

To PPR's enthusiastic and dedicated clientele whose loyalty and patronage have been the cornerstone of our 24+ years of success, I sincerely thank you for allowing our team the privilege to serve you in your Pilates and wellness journey.

To my talented team of practitioners, teachers, and instructors who leaned in and stepped up, especially in my absence, I am forever grateful.

To my eight "next generation" trainers inspired to share the Pilates love as "Boss Babes" in other cities and states, I am honored to have played a small part in your journey and I will continue to root for your success!

To my faith community who covered me in prayers, you are a blessing.

To my treasured family and friends who gave me encouragement and a soft place to fall, I love and thank you from the bottom of my heart.

To all service members and military families, thank you for your service and sacrifice.

To my trauma/grief counselor, virtual support group, and new and lifelong friends, thank you for showing up in often unexpected and mysterious ways. Your light, love, and support inspired me to build beauty from ashes and to advocate for good.

To the KU Alzheimer's and Research Hospital and The Lighthouse, thank you for being amazing compassionate care partners.

To the ones who threw stones in my path, I am grateful for the grit to gather them to build strength, bridges, and a ladder of success for myself and others.

"What man intends for evil, God intends for good".

To those who were courageous enough to reach out to mend fences, I am humbled.

To those whom I may have unintentionally offended, I offer my sincerest apologies.

I can attest that expressing gratitude leads to greater happiness and fulfillment by helping focus on the positives in life. It also promotes resilience, making navigating challenges easier with a more optimistic perspective, and negates entitlement and ego.

To those for whom collaboration was more important than competition.

To those who have poured value into my life without expectations.

To those who extended grace when I needed it the most.

To those who value heartfelt content more than grammar.

To those who loved me well.

I am grateful and blessed beyond measure by your presence in my life.