My tribute to Lolita San Miguel

02/20/2012 19:12:00

Thank you, Lolita.

Everyone has a story of how he or she met Lolita San Miguel. My story is probably not much different than anyone else’s story, but I wonder how many of those people can say that she changed their lives?

Two years ago at Chicago POT, I met Lolita San Miguel. She stood with a graceful manner, yet had a firm control over the large group of attendees. I instantly admired her.

As the Cadillac course progressed, I became more in “awe” of this woman. Her teaching was direct and firm. I did not know her and had never attended any course she taught, but I found myself lingering to every word she spoke and watching her as she moved. After each exercise she taught, I edged closer to the front of the room. I had to know everything she intended to speak about in her presentation—her time with Joe Pilates and her knowledge of the Method.

Every muscle in my body tensed when she asked me to perform the Teaser on the Cadillac. Needless to say, I learned quickly not to question her. I stood up and got on the Cadillac. She moved me through the exercise and many of its variations. Right then, I knew Lolita was the person I was searching for to push me to be the student and the teacher I wanted to become.

All Pilates’ instructors do it—we start teaching Pilates and we stop doing Pilates ourselves. That is exactly what I had done. I had been teaching for almost 10 years, working long, crazy hours and left no time for me to continue to practice and learn. After the first Pilates Master Mentor Program session with Lolita, I made a vow to myself to never go another day without doing Pilates.

I made Pilates part of my daily routine. I would put Lolita’s Mat DVD in and do the exercises start to finish. I did her mat routine every day for 2 years straight. I learned so much about my bad habits and imbalances and worked hard to improve. I was increasing my body awareness. My teaching skills were also improving. I understood myself better and therefore have a better understanding of my clients.

During the course of the mentor program, I had many struggles in my life. I am grateful to have found Lolita. She gave me the encouragement and strength to push me through that hard time in my life.

Thank you, Lolita, for making me more resilient.

Thank you, Lolita, for pushing me to find my own inner strength.

Thank you, Lolita, for the praise you have given me in my accomplishments.

Thank you, Lolita, for your honest feedback.

Thank you, Lolita, for your words of wisdom.

I will always cherish the times I have spent with you. I look to you as the person I always wanted to guide me towards my goals. I promise to pass on your wisdom to others yearning to know more, too.

With much gratefulness, admiration and love,

Jennifer Drewing

Do you know the history behind 2nd Generation Pilates Master, Jennifer Drewing?

01/21/2012 19:49:00

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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My tribute to Lolita San Miguel

Do you know the history behind 2nd Generation Pilates Master, Jennifer Drewing?