Dr. Karyn Staples PT, PhD, NCPT
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About Karyn
Karyn Staples is a Pilates Certified Teacher and a Physical Therapist with 20 years of clinical and teaching experience. Karyn founded ProHealth Physical Therapy and Pilates Studio (Peachtree City, Georgia) in 2005. Karyn discovered Pilates while attending the University of Evansville (Evansville, IN) after reading Brooke Siler’s book, The Pilates Body, as she was seeking change in her exercise routine. While attending Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions for her PhD work in Orthopedics and Sports Science, she completed her comprehensive Pilates teacher training through Polestar® Pilates Education. |
Scientific work regarding Pilates |
Results |
Doctoral thesis: “The Effect of Standing Pilates on Balance in the Aging Female.” |
The Pilates group had statistically significant reduction in the abdominal circumference measurement. This is a big deal as post-menopausal women generally have concerns in this region of the body. Both groups (the control and experimental) showed improvement in balance. |
Office case study: The use of Early Pilates-based rehabilitation following a Total Knee Replacement |
Positive results from early intervention of Pilates starting at day 2 post-operative recovery |
Office mini-study: Pilates and its effect on children diagnosed with sensory integration disorders (pilot study) |
All 12 children showed improvement in integrating infantile reflexes after participating in the 6 week, twice a week Pilates class. |
Challenges in regards to research
Finding time to write everything up!
Why Pilates?
At first I was drawn to Pilates as it felt good to my body. I was a gymnast as a child and I was searching for a movement/exercise program that challenged my body, but did not cause me to “bulk up”. My first Pilates teacher started to ask me questions about her clients and I looked at the equipment from a different perspective. I was a licensed physical therapist and I started to see the connection between my profession and my passion for movement with Pilates. While pursuing my PhD in Orthopedics and Sports Science, I completed my comprehensive Pilates teacher training and utilized Pilates for my research focus.
Finding time to write everything up!
Why Pilates?
At first I was drawn to Pilates as it felt good to my body. I was a gymnast as a child and I was searching for a movement/exercise program that challenged my body, but did not cause me to “bulk up”. My first Pilates teacher started to ask me questions about her clients and I looked at the equipment from a different perspective. I was a licensed physical therapist and I started to see the connection between my profession and my passion for movement with Pilates. While pursuing my PhD in Orthopedics and Sports Science, I completed my comprehensive Pilates teacher training and utilized Pilates for my research focus.