When I first started doing Pilates, I had no idea it would become such a big part of my life. I was a dance major at a small, conservatory-like college. I was also recovering from major knee surgery only about a year and a half earlier and was honestly struggling with my rigorous schedule. I chose an elective class that was early in the morning and would hopefully help me warm up for my long days of dance classes and rehearsals that loomed ahead.
We learned some "exercises." We talked about core control and using your abdominals and psoas in an efficient way, but my teacher never told us about the man behind the method or what the principles were. My Pilates journey has obviously evolved over a period of time from these mat classes for dancers, to lots of different studios and styles, and from many, many teachers, but there are a few things that I can never thank Mr. Pilates enough for giving me...
1. Self-love
“Be in control of your body and not at it’s mercy.” - JP
So we all know that Pilates gives us strength and flexibility. Sometimes these words seem one-dimensional. We hear them being thrown around by Pilates teachers all the time, but sometimes it’s hard to know what you’ll get out of Pilates, especially when you are first starting. So, let’s be real—here’s what Pilates has done for me:
In the process of learning the exercises and then eventually discovering the many tiny details, my body became smarter. I started to know how things felt, how to change things, how to make things better, more efficient.
Pilates helped me recover from an injury, Pilates made me a stronger dancer, Pilates gave me the ability to know what the hell was going on with my muscles, joints, basic body mechanics, breath, and stamina. When we start paying attention to the little improvements that we see every day, those add up to a better, stronger, more confident life. Sometimes when I’m about to do something I think is hard, or even impossible, I repeat to myself, “I am strong.” #pilatesstrong
2. A Voice
“Decide to remain true to yourself.” – JP
When I first started teaching Pilates I was terrible. I know that for sure. But my motto of fake it till you make it had served me well in life and I figured that it would work as a Pilates teacher too. In a way, Pilates made me speak up, gave me even more confidence, and helped me find my authority. It took a little while—when you are a new teacher, you just want people to like you. At first, I just told people what they wanted to hear. Everything was “good” nothing really needed fixing, I was just happy they were there. Once I realized that this wasn’t helping anybody, I became better. I had to tell my students what they needed to hear. It’s not my style to yell or be the disciplinary, stringent Pilates Police. Although I have much love and respect for the method, it’s really not that serious. It’s exercise. I want my students to laugh and have fun and do something good for their body that feels good, but feels like they are changing it also. As a student of the Pilates method, we sometimes work so hard on our challenges and a new teacher, a new day, a new room, a new breakfast, anything can set us back from achieving some of our goals. Some days it works, some days it doesn’t, but the truth is that you have to work for it. You come into the studio day after day, teaser after teaser. If things don’t work that day, who cares! We have our whole lives to work on them. Because repetition is the mother of all learning, and the more you take in (the good and the bad), the better you become and the more you want to come back tomorrow. #oneteaseratatime
3. Community
“Every moment of our life can be the beginning of great things.” – JP
The relationships that form within the four walls of our Pilates studio are so special. I’ve had clients for years—seen them on great days, seen them through tragedies, through surgeries, and through transition. They’ve heard all about my struggles and my dreams. They know that I am a dancer, that I love tacos and beer, that my husband just finished nursing school, and that I have two fur babies. If they want to stay and chat after class, I with both answer any question they throw at me and also listen intently. We’ve laughed together and cried together (sometimes both at the same time). I’m definitely not a mushy-love-rainbows-and-hugs type of person, but somehow y’all are able to crack my tough exterior. I think it’s a mutual trust and responsibility. I expect my students to tell me what’s going on with them so I can address and take care of their bodies and give them the movement, freedom, support, and a feeling of accomplishment in our short time together.
You are the reason I come in every day. We discover things together. What works and what doesn’t work. Thank you for trusting me, for embracing me, and for making this job feel like anything but. #pilatescommunity
In thinking about what Pilates has given me, it really isn’t about “Pilates” at all, is it? The man gave us the method and the method has developed into this phenomenon of sorts. There are studios, teachers, and students everywhere. I have to say, if I never did another knee stretch again, I would live…but the community that we have created—a space where people can come in and do something positive for their body, mind, and spirit—cultivates a much richer outcome than the exercises alone could give us. I would love to hear about what Pilates has given you. Come in and take class at the new FLO 2.0 and tell me your story or e-mail me (
By Brittany Taylor