Mr. Shuta, a Pilates instructor who transitioned from working at a hospital to becoming a Pilates instructor, spoke about why he uses Knitido's five-toe socks and his thoughts on health starting from the feet.
How I became a Pilates instructor
This time, we spoke with Yasunari Shuta, a Pilates instructor who says he wants to "support people in building bodies that don't get sick, rather than treating them after they've already gotten sick." At 32, he transitioned from being a physical therapist to a Pilates instructor.
During his time working at the hospital, he witnessed many people coming in for treatment after experiencing discomfort, and he says he wanted to convey the importance of building a body that doesn't get sick and prevention.
Mr. Shuta cherishes Knitido's five-toe socks as an essential item for maintaining his own health. He says, "The functionality and design are both great, so I can't let go of them." We asked Mr. Shuta about his actual experience using them and his particular preferences.
Aiming to be a bridge between "Pilates" and "prevention"
After graduating from university, Mr. Shuta worked as a physical therapist (PT) at a hospital. During his daily routine of rehabilitating patients suffering from pain and discomfort, he often felt that "if body conditioning had been done at an earlier stage, such discomfort could have been prevented."
He says, "The older you get, the longer it takes to recover and heal completely. That's why I want more people to take precautions from a young age and live a healthy life into old age."
While treatment is the main focus in hospitals, his desire to support people in building bodies that don't get sick at an earlier stage grew stronger over time.
With this in mind, he sought an environment where he could utilize his knowledge and experience as a physical therapist to promote the importance of prevention. He began to believe that exercise therapy, not just manual therapy, was necessary to treat patients, and he studied various methods. Among them, he encountered Pilates, and was so impressed by its depth and the changes in his own body that he decided to pursue a new path as a Pilates instructor.
Activities as a Pilates Instructor
It's been about two years since Mr. Shuta left his hospital job and began working as a Pilates instructor. He primarily teaches private lessons and also holds group lessons as needed.
He says, "With private lessons, I can tailor my instruction to the problems and goals my students have. Some people feel nervous in a one-on-one setting, so I also offer group lessons to make Pilates more accessible. I want many people to know that Pilates can be a familiar preventive measure."
As an instructor, Mr. Shuta finds great fulfillment in helping people get in shape before they get sick and supporting them in building healthy bodies.
Body Changes from the Feet Up | Encounter with knitido
During his time working at the hospital, Mr. Shuta spent a lot of time on his feet, which put a strain on them and made them prone to fatigue. He tried various cushioned shoes and insoles to care for his feet and reduce fatigue as much as possible. As a result, he is more sensitive to foot fatigue than most people.
During Pilates lessons, he rarely wears shoes, preferring to go barefoot or wear socks, so he began to feel that the "performance of the socks themselves" was very important.
It was at this time that the head office of his company introduced him to Knitido. The first thing he noticed when he tried them on was how much less tired his feet felt. He also liked that they provided support for his feet without feeling constricting, and he gradually became a loyal user of Knitido's five-toe socks.
He says, "I'm naturally the type whose feet get tired easily from standing for long periods. Even when I worked at the hospital, I tried various shoes and thought about ways to reduce fatigue. But after becoming an instructor, I realized that how easily your feet get tired depends on your socks."
"I feel like my level goes up just by wearing Knitido" | Motivation born from the feet
For Mr. Shuta, the appeal of Knitido lies in its balance of "functionality" and "fashionability." He says that when he worked at the hospital, there were rules about wearing white sneakers and plain socks, making it difficult to enjoy fashion. However, now he can express his own style with his activewear and socks.
He says, "I'm the type who's drawn in by appearances. Regardless of my own skill level, I tend to want to get good equipment first (laughs). In addition to their high functionality, I really like Knitido items for their good design. When I actually wear them, I feel less foot fatigue, which also boosts my motivation."
He also mentioned that he likes the wide variety of colors and designs, which allows him to coordinate them with his activewear.
A step towards aging gracefully
Mr. Shuta says he wants to be a person who can update his coolness as he ages. He has a deep reason for this.
He says, "If I, as an instructor, am vibrant and cool in my activities, I think I can have a positive impact on my students, no matter how old I get. Precisely because I am in a position to be observed, I want to maintain my physique. I also want to have a body that can move joyfully in old age, and by showing that, I hope to motivate my students."
He continues:
He says, "When doing Pilates or exercising, it's important to enjoy it first and foremost. I want people to approach it with the feeling of 'I do it because it's fun!' rather than 'I have to train!'"
Mr. Shuta says he feels inspired every time he sees his students improve.
Aiming for tireless feet
Now 34 years old, Mr. Shuta still feels his body has room for improvement. Compared to when he started Pilates two years ago, he says he can move his body more efficiently and feels less fatigued. In particular, he says that because he no longer puts unnecessary force into his toes, he doesn't get as tired as before, even after standing for long periods.
He says, "In Pilates, I believe a barefoot-like sensation and reduced fatigue are important. Knitido's five-toe socks allow me to achieve that, so I'm very satisfied. Compared to my past self, I feel that I can do more movements, and I'm truly happy that I get less tired."
The value Knitido brings | An irreplaceable treasure
Caption: "Both my students and I get a 'Let's go!' motivation switch when we wear Knitido socks," says Mr. Shuta.
He says the Knitido socks he uses in the studio motivate him to work hard.
He says, "I can't easily find five-toe socks that match my preference and have the same quality as Knitido. The balance between price and functionality is just right, and the designs are stylish and abundant. If I were told to choose five-toe socks other than Knitido, I really wouldn't know what to use, and I'd be in trouble. I feel it's a big deal to have found a brand I can trust."
Gifting Recommended Five-Toe Socks
Mr. Shuta often gives or recommends five-toe socks to his students, fellow instructors, close friends, and family.
He says, "I get the feeling that my level goes up just by wearing them. The combination of stylish design and strong support is what makes them so appealing. You'll know if you compare them, but your toes can move freely, yet the fit is outstanding. I often give them as gifts, saying, 'Try them!'"
Mr. Shuta smiled and told us that he looks forward to Knitido's regular new product releases in the future.
Summary
During his time working at the hospital, Mr. Shuta, who transitioned to a Pilates instructor, developed the belief that preventing illness before it occurs is crucial while treating patients. He conveys his desire to "support people in building bodies that can move actively and gracefully even as they age" to many through his daily lessons.
We were delighted that Knitido could support Mr. Shuta's feet. In addition to functionality such as cushioning and support, Knitido offers a wide range of five-toe socks with designs that can boost your motivation just by wearing them.
Foot comfort leads to overall body movement and health. Tired-free feet are a strong ally that supports positive activities. Why not take a new step with Knitido's five-toe socks, experiencing a barefoot sensation?
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>>Click here for Pilates Studio DEP Kanazawa Naruka Studio, where Mr. Shuta works! At Pilates Studio DEP Kanazawa Naruka Studio, all staff members hold physical or occupational therapist qualifications, providing high-quality lessons based on specialized knowledge. Equipped with Pilates machines that can offer over 1000 types of exercises, we create customized exercise programs tailored to each individual's physical condition and goals. Through thorough consultations and physical assessments, we identify fundamental issues and deliver effective results with our highly skilled instruction. |
