Why did you start taking Pilates classes?
I first encountered Mat Pilates in the early ’90s through a weekend worship at my ballet school, and then I found and fell in love with the equipment in 2002.
What inspired you to become a Certified Peak Pilates Instructor and then a Peak Pilates Master Instructor?
My love for movement after dancing for 18 years led me to search for something to do once I stopped dancing. Once I discovered the equipment I fell in love and immediately knew I wanted to teach Pilates, so I got certified. As I went through my initial classical comprehensive certification through Power Pilates and subsequent continuing education and introduction to Peak Pilates five years ago when I began working for Life Time Fitness. I was inspired by master instructors along the way and knew it was something I would one day want to do: share information and educate others so that they could be the best instructors possible.
What do you love about teaching Pilates classes?
I love seeing the change in people’s bodies and their understanding of the benefits of the method unfold as their eyes are opened to how Pilates changes their body.
What is your favorite apparatus?
What makes Pilates such a great workout?
I love Pilates because it is stabilizes and strengthens the whole body through movement, enabling us to protect our bodies from injury in all avenues of life.
What’s one of your favorite motivational quotes?
“Learning is attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardor and attended to with diligence.” –Abigail Adams
Do you have a hero in the Pilates community, someone who deserves recognition for their leadership?
Nancy Hurd and Shari Berkowitz
Is there anything about you that would surprise people?
I have 6 lumbar vertebrae and am twenty years younger than my sister.
General Biographical information:
Originally from Oklahoma, I attended Texas A&M University where I earned a BA in English with a minor in Journalism. My husband and I moved to the Washington, D.C. area upon graduation where I worked for the United States Senate. After dancing for 18 years and missing exercise and movement, I turned to Pilates and discovered a new love, passion and career. I pursued my comprehensive certification while in D.C. and started teaching Pilates whenever and wherever I could. I now reside in San Antonio, TX with my husband and three adopted Chinese children. I’m homeschooling them, teaching Pilates and educating new instructors through Life Time Academy at Life Time Fitness.
List relevant professional certifications in health and fitness (define acronyms):
Power Pilates Certifications: Beginner (September 2006) and Intermediate Mat (March 2007), System Level 1 – Beginner/Intermediate (December 2006), System Level 2 – Intermediate (August 2008), and System Level 3 – Advanced (December 2008); Peak Pilates Certifications: Peak Pilates Comprehensive Level I and Master Instructor Level I (December 2014); PMA-CPT (December 2014).
What year did you join the Peak Pilates Master Instructor Team?
2014
Where do you teach Pilates classes and/or Pilates Certifications/ Continuing Education workshops:
Life Time Fitness at the Rim in San Antonio, TX
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