I Crown You, Miss (Pilates) America

by: AndreaDow
Total views: 229
Word Count: 277

Wednesday, July 30th

Kristen Hagland, this year's Miss America winner, is a devout Pilates student. She is from Farmington Hills, MI, and only 19 years old. Hagland tells PilatesStyle magazine that Pilates has helped her stay energized, give her a strong, healthy body and a sense of deep well-being. In addition, she credits Pilates for helping her overcome an eating disorder that brought her near death. For Kristen and many others recovering from eating disorders, Pilates is great because you can't overdo it and exercise yourself to death.

Kristen had dabbled in other forms of exercise like yoga and weight training, but nothing gave her the long, lean muscles that she craved while she was training for competition. A family friend and former Miss Michigan encouraged Kristen towards Pilates telling her it was the only way to go. Hagland is quoted describing Pilates as "It's perfect because it keeps you in touch with your physical being on a very deep, empowering level. It literally helps you feel your body. The breathing helps you stay grounded. It brings you back to earth".

She is convinced that the poise, stamina, energy, better posture and torso awareness she developed in her weekly Pilates sessions helped her to win the pageant. She tries not to miss a day of Pilates by doing her 100's and ab series before bed and packing a magic circle in her suitcase for arm and leg exercises. She also gets to the gym whenever possible for a full mat workout.

Maybe next year's contestants should start their Pilates workouts so one of them can be crowned the new Miss America in January 2009. Way to go, Kristen!

Rating: Not yet rated