Photo by Lucy Wimmer
By Kurt DeLay
Staff Writer
The Sewanee downtown area welcomes a new business to campus. Sewanee Pilates opened this past March, just across the street from the Post Office.
The owner, Bruce Manuel (C’80), is an alumnus of the University with a degree in English. His interest in Pilates began when it was prescribed to him as a treatment for a back injury during his 20-year career in the Navy.
Founded by Joe Pilates in the early 20th century, Pilates has since been used as a means of injury rehab as well as exercise and holistic wellbeing.
A standard “mat class” consists of a core strengthening workout as well as mobility exercises.
An hour-long session on the mat can leave one covered in sweat or focused and renewed. Manuel offers personalized programs in addition to mat class, using an array of specialized equipment oriented specifically toward an individual’s unique needs and goals. Group mat classes are offered Tuesdays and Thursdays at 12:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. Class is $12 per walk-in session, or $50 for five sessions. Personal training is $65 per session with a discounted rate of $45 per session for students.