My journey with the Pilates' Method of exercise... I
began my fitness career in 1996 after graduating from the University of
Missouri-Columbia. I utilized my degree in Fitness and Nutrition to
become an American Council on Exercise personal trainer, an American
College of Exercise clinical exercise specialist, an AFAA aerobics
instructor, Body Pump instructor and spinning instructor. I worked for
several years as a personal trainer and aerobics instructor at a local gym chain. I created new
programs, such as AB LAB, and brought Cardio Kickboxing and a Sport Conditioning class to the group class schedule. At the age of 22, I took up a hobby of body sculpting and training to
participate in fitness competitions. I prepared for my first competition for six months: intense weight-lifting, cardio training,
dance training, gymnastics and following a strict eating regime. Suddenly, one day an old gymnastic injury affecting my spine led
all of my hard work to come to a screeching halt. Facing surgery as my
final option after trying traditional physical therapy, chiropractic
care, massage, and anything else I could to alleviate the debilitating
pain, I came across some information about this thing called "Pilates". Various practitioners in the US had started using Pilates techniques and exercises to help people with back pain/spinal issues. I researched Missouri for a
person who taught Pilates, or better yet, what education programs were available and reputable enough to learn about Pilates. I looked into 2
different education programs: Joseph Pilates' protege, Romana
Kryzanowska's True Pilates in New York City or Polestar Pilates Education in Denver.
Polestar Pilates was my choice. Polestar's approach was
very important to me---applying current research in sports medicine,
exercise science, physical therapy, movement therapy, non-traditional
ways of communicating and teaching to Joe
Pilates' exercise method (Contrology). Over a 2-year span, I studied Pilates in
Denver. I completed all of the rigorous
requirements: hours of class time learning the exercises and their
purpose, numerous closed-book pen/paper examinations, teaching-ability evaluations,
demonstration of personal ability and tons of personal practice hours. I suffered from my
own back pain during part of the process. However, not too long after
devoting to a regular Pilates regime of my own, I noticed my back pain
was not as bad as it once had been; in fact, the pain was hardly present
anymore! My experiences pushed me to take a vow to help other people by teaching Pilates. In 2001, I
established my career goals & dreams, created a business plan and
opened my first Pilates studio in a spare bedroom. I purchased a
Reformer and quickly began a small business of teaching private
sessions. My studio has moved several times, and
each time I have expanded by adding more equipment and more space. I am the first person to bring group Pilates' equipment classes to Columbia. I
have had the privilege of working with MU's Basketball team, golf-pros, hospitals, doctors, attorneys, business professionals, Special Olympians, conditions, such as MS, post-op referrals and many, many
others. I can proudly say that many of my clientele today are clients that started with me in that small, spare-bedroom studio! Presently, I teach
Pilates privately. I have a wonderful team of dedicated and well-educated
Pilates' instructors and exceptional staff managers. I have one room
for group classes of 5 participants per class. he classes are offered
from early mornings, throughout the day and in the evenings. I have a
completely separate room where I teach my private clientele on all
apparatus. I love my job. I am
proud that I leave work each day knowing that I have helped others from my teaching of the Pilates' method. PEACE, LOVE & PILATES,  Certified to teach Pilates by the Pilates Method Alliance 2nd Generation Pilates Master Teacher Disciple of internationally renown, Pilates Elder, Lolita San Miguel Comprehensively trained to teach Pilates by Polestar Pilates Special thanks to my fiance and biggest supporter, Evan Meeks and my furry children: Rex, Olivia, Maggie, Munchkin and Peepers who provide me with awesome positive energy. Love you! |
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