Everday Athlete

» Jayme Newhouse, 51, Pilates instructor
Workout:
» Yoga: Twice a week
» Pilates: Two to three times a week
» Biking: To work when possible
» Walking: With dogs 1-2 miles daily

Better health and quality of life. Jayme Newhouse sees the benefits of exercise every day at the Pilates Training Center Hawaii in Kailua, where she is an instructor and trainer.

And, being a few doors down from the Windward Heart Center, she often sees what the lack of exercise does to people who have difficulty breathing when climbing stairs to visit Dr. Sonny Wong.

"Heart disease is the No. 1 killer in America and it's so preventable," said Newhouse, also a licensed massage therapist. "A number of people with heart disease are not the type who would go to a gym or seek out Pilates. We want to bring the awareness of the benefits of Pilates to that group.

"Pilates works for everyone of every age. Not everyone can do yoga; you can't do it if you're in a wheelchair. But you can do Pilates."

The 1977 Kailua High graduate was introduced to Pilates by a client 13 years ago. She teaches the STOTT method, which emphasizes breathing, core conditioning and body awareness as mind-body exercising, and places more emphasis on scapular stabilization.

"We have a client with a pacemaker in his 80s who has benefited," Newhouse said. "Once you get that little addiction that comes with releasing endomorphs, you realize you're not as sick as you thought."

February is Heart Disease Month and the Pilates Training Center Hawaii is offering a scholarship that covers 10 private sessions at the center. To be eligible, individuals must be current patients at the Windward Heart Center or unable to afford Pilates sessions.

"We did a similar one in October for Breast Awareness Month," Newhouse said. "Our recipient had just finished chemo and couldn't believe how it helped her.

"Growing up in Kailua, I've always been active and outdoors. I have a 3 1/2 -year-old grandson and I need to stay in shape to keep up with him."

For information on the scholarship, contact Newhouse at jayme@pilatestrainingcenterhawaii.com. The deadline is Feb. 28.

On the Net: pilatestrainingcenterhawaii.com