Everything you might not know
What inspired you to become a Pilates instructor?
Honestly, I just did it for fun at first. I enjoyed taking classes and wanted a hobby. Since instructing, I’ve been inspired and motivated by how I can challenge clients in class and how I can challenge myself with creating new flows or finding new moves.
What’s your favorite Pilates move or sequence and why?
I love an elevated sprinters lunge because it is a heavy leg move that also incorporates mobility and there are so many variations you can do with it.
What do you love most about working at BE Fit?
How would you describe your teaching style?
Challenging, Motivating, Attentive, Adaptable
What do you enjoy doing when you’re not teaching?
I typically hangout with my friends/boyfriend, work out, walk the trail with my dog or a friend, and drink way too many matchas! I like to say my hobbies include trying new restaurants and traveling.
A deeper dive
Career and Inspiration
What made you fall in love with Pilates?
I fell in love with pilates because I could show up to a class, get a full body workout in 45 minutes and be on with my day. It was the first workout I was consistently challenged in and also saw visual changes in my body, so it made me want more every time I came back.
What’s the most rewarding part of being an instructor?
I find it incredibly rewarding to see clients reach their goals. For some clients, that might be a class milestone, an amplification in a movement, or the way they feel about themselves when they’re working out consistently. Hearing clients’ experiences throughout their fitness journey is what makes it so easy to want to be at the studio every day and get to support and lead people through a class.
How do you keep your classes fresh and engaging?
I love to find new movements, variations and flows with my routines. I’m always looking for what I could be doing differently or what I could add to my classes.
Teaching Style and Philosophy
How do you approach teaching clients of different skill levels?
If I do my job right, I believe all classes can be for all skill and fitness levels. If I set clients up for success with cueing and/or demoing, clients can get into movements safely with correct form. I always give ways for people to amplify or ways they can support themselves in movements, which is incredibly important. And, I might push you to do more, but you can always take a break when your body needs it or adjust the movement how you need.
What’s your favorite way to motivate someone who is struggling in class?
If there is someone that is in a movement that isn’t working for them, I believe it’s my job to find them an alternative move where they are comfortable. If it’s someone that is doing something they’ve done before, and I know can do the movement, but maybe it’s just an off day, my job is to uplift and motivate the person but also give ways to take less in the movement so they’re able to stay in the movement.
How do you balance challenge and accessibility in your classes?
I always get the entire class into a movement and then I like to give an option for how someone can amplify or find more support through a movement. We have classes that are for all levels, so anyone taking my class should be able to find what works for them and their body the day of the class in each movement.
If someone is nervous about trying Pilates for the first time, what would you say to them?
I try to build a personal connection with clients that are nervous to try and guide them along the way through the class. I always let them know how they can find less in a movement if needed, but then I find ways to encourage them as well. Once they’re set up for success and realize that they’re doing great, that’s where I start challenging them through class as well.
Personal Highlights & Pro Tips
Share a time you helped a client reach a milestone, a personal accomplishment, or a special moment in their fitness journey?
There is a client that is well over 100 classes, but I remember their first class. They flew to 100. At first, there were certain movements that they weren’t overly comfortable doing, so I’d give an option for something else for them. Before class, I’d let them know, “Hey, this is what we’ve got going on today, when we get to X move, feel free to do X move,” and I’d show them what to do. One day, I remember giving the options and they replied that they no longer needed that and that they wanted to try out movements that were not originally in their comfort zone. It was really cool seeing the growth in mindset, physical strength, and determination shown in such a short span of time.
What is your top tip for Pilates beginners or for staying consistent in their fitness routine?
I think for all fitness journeys, staying consistent can be tough. Maybe your job is demanding or you have kids at home or you’re a single parent or maybe mentally you’ve got a lot going on, but I think it’s important to be able to set aside that one hour anytime you can to get some movement in for yourself. I find for myself when I set aside that time, I’m able to show up even better in all other aspects of my life, no matter how busy I am. I think realistic goal setting of how often you can get movement in and striving for that is a great place to start. I also think having grace for yourself is important – you can’t always hit every goal you set every single week. If you miss it one week, it’s an opportunity to reach the goal the following week.
Personal Life and Hobbies
Do you have any hobbies or passions outside of Pilates?
I LOVE to travel!!! My list of destinations I want to visit is very long!
What’s a perfect day off for you?
I enjoy getting a matcha or Shug’s in the morning, going for a walk on the trail, relaxing at home and spending time with those I’m closest to. I love trying new restaurants or sitting at some of my familiar favorite patios.
If you weren’t a Pilates instructor, what would you be doing?
I was in marketing before I became a full-time pilates instructor. I still freelance social media content for brands, but I truly love being at the studios, around the BF team and our amazing clients.
Do you have a favorite travel destination or dream place to visit?
I don’t even know where to start…Japan, Thailand, South Africa, Dolomites, Switzerland …..and…more 😉
Fun and Quirky
What’s your guilty pleasure (food, TV show, etc.)?
I’ve rewatched Gossip Girl many times over the years. I don’t watch a ton of TV, but I’m from Kansas City and a huge Chiefs fan! I watch all of their games.
Do you have a hidden talent?
Not sure these are talents, but I love to host people, plan trips or events, and I really enjoy gift giving.
Fitness Tips and Advice
How do you stay consistent with your own fitness routine?
This is shockingly hard when you’re a full-time instructor and in a fitness studio every day with classes so accessible to you, yet there’s no ramifications if you don’t show up to a class…. I typically try to take a few BF classes a week or flow through my own routines and then I also take heated classes a few times a week as well. I haven’t always been great at balancing this with teaching, but I think for me when I’m in a routine, I stay consistent.
What’s one thing you wish more clients knew about Pilates?
I think understanding the tension on the machine can be confusing at first. I always tell first timers there’s more tension at the back; therefore, it’s more challenging, but there’s a lot to take in with learning the machine and having a class with verbal cues, no designated breaks and always moving onto the next move, which I understand. But I always remind people throughout class, specifically in core and obliques, how they can adjust their tension both at the front and the back.
