Pilates is more than just a workout... it's a lifestyle (in and out of the studio) that raises your vibration and contributes to a happy and healthy life. It makes you feel good from the inside out!
In this series, we’re sitting down with our very own instructors and students. We're asking them why they choose to live the Pilates lifestyle, what their overall fitness routine looks like and what motivates them to stay healthy and fit. About Kylee Q: Tell us a little about yourself. A: I'm 19 years old and currently live in Ventura County. I’m signed to a modeling agency in LA where I do lifestyle, beauty and print work. I’m also a health optimizing freak and very passionate about learning about the human body and what it takes to optimize at a full level. Health is my top priority, so my mental, physical, emotional and spiritual well-being always come first. One of my other passions is curating beautiful charcuterie boards—I have a small business selling these boards locally in Ventura County. In my free time, I enjoy brain soothing activities, like long walks on the beach, journaling at different cafes, doing yoga classes and reading. When I'm not occupied with work, I make sure I fill that time with lots and lots of traveling! Fitness Routine Q: What does your personal daily or weekly fitness routine look like? A: My daily fitness routine is pretty simple. I make sure I get at least 10,000-12,000 steps a day. I like to start off most of my days with yoga and some simple breathwork/meditation. I do Pilates about 2 to 3 times a week on top of my walking and yoga. Why Pilates? Q: How long have you been doing Pilates & why do you choose Pilates as a part of your fitness repertoire? A: I have been doing Pilates for just over a month. I chose to add Pilates to my fitness repertoire because of all the great things I have heard about it. I'm a very active person and wanted to find a routine I actually enjoyed; Pilates has helped me reach that. What Motivates You? Q: What motivates you the most to stay healthy & fit? A: The quality of my day-to-day life motivates me to stay healthy and fit. I don't believe in waiting until you are weak or sick to take action in your health. I believe in living in the moment and living life to the highest quality possible.
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Pilates is more than just a workout... it's a lifestyle (in and out of the studio) that raises your vibration and contributes to a happy and healthy life. It makes you feel good from the inside out!
In this series, we’re sitting down with our very own instructors and students. We're asking them why they choose to live the Pilates lifestyle, what their overall fitness routine looks like and what motivates them to stay healthy and fit. This week, we interviewed classical Pilates instructor Roger to celebrate his one-year anniversary at Studio Be! About Roger Before he found Pilates more than 25 years ago, Roger danced professionally and toured all over North America, Mexico and Europe. In 1985, he got his BFA in Dance from The University of Texas at Austin. In addition to dance, he has always been a swimmer—an athlete at his core. Roger came to Studio Be with immense knowledge about the Pilates method. He has ample training and experience and is authentic to the work. Those who have taken his classes know how much there is to learn from Roger. Read on to learn how Roger found Pilates, what inspires him, and what advice he would give to anyone looking to improve their practice. Finding Pilates Q: How did you find Pilates & how long have you been teaching? A: I first came across Pilates while dancing in New York City. I remember thinking to myself, ‘but I don't need any more crunches!' and left it there. Five years later, as an unemployed dancer, I had the opportunity to work at Winsor Pilates in Los Angeles. Soon after I started working there, Romana Kryzanowzka (a Pilates instructor who trained under Joseph Pilates himself) began flying in from New York City to train us over long weekend periods, every 3 to 4 months or so. It took me witnessing a 'teaching moment' by Romana to say I truly found Pilates. After several of those weekends, I was still not appreciative of any “magic” of Pilates in my personal practice. And my attitude was full of conceit—I was skeptical that Romana, in her 70s at the time, had much to teach young dancers about keeping in shape. This particular day we were learning the short box series on the high barrel, and she was unimpressed with several of our attempts to model her teaching (she had us demonstrating the exercises she was teaching). She shushed us all away from the barrel and announced she will show us herself what she is trying to teach us. And she did. She performed the full series through with ease, grace, lightness, joy. She was beaming and proud, a kid in her playground. All I could think was, ‘Better pay attention! I want to move like that at her age!’ My jaw was on the floor. I had found Pilates. Inspiration Q: Who inspires you most when it comes to Pilates or life in general? A: In the over 25 years I’ve been involved in Pilates, there are many people I admire. There are those who teach and those who help others teach. So many of the clients I get to work with, who work so hard, also inspire me. And so many of my colleagues who change lives in front of my eyes every day. Pilates takes dedication, discipline, humility, curiosity, practice. I admire those humans who take it on. Words Of Advice Q: Now that you’ve been working with students at Studio Be for a year, if you could give them 3 pro-tips on how to approach, deepen and develop their practice, what would they be? A:
Pilates is more than just a workout... it's a lifestyle (in and out of the studio) that raises your vibration and contributes to a happy and healthy life. It makes you feel good from the inside out!
In this series, we’re sitting down with our very own instructors and students. We're asking them why they choose to live the Pilates lifestyle, what their overall fitness routine looks like and what motivates them to stay healthy and fit. Meet Jen Q: Tell us a little about yourself. A: I am a geophysicist and recently became Chief of the Renewable Energy Section at the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s Pacific Region. Basically, I’m a scientist working for the federal government in renewable energy leasing and a giant nerd. I’m 43 years old, married to a carpenter I fell in love with while snowboarding in high school. We have two kids: Seth, 13, and Jolie, 9. I’m an adventurous spirt, always in the outdoors—at the beach, hiking, snowboarding, camping. Fitness Routine Q: What does your personal daily or weekly fitness routine look like? A: I work out often to manage stress. My job is a lot, and on top of that, I’ve had some personal loss and heath struggles over the last few years. Exercise is my release. My weekly routine includes Pilates 2 to 3 times a week, spin once a week, and I like to get in a yoga class or two, plus squeeze in a run, trail run or hike. Pilates has quickly become my absolute favorite exercise, and I honestly wish I could do it every day! Why Pilates? Q: How long have you been doing Pilates & why do you choose Pilates as a part of your fitness repertoire? A: I’m new to Pilates; I just started coming regularly in the last five months. I enjoy the detailed focus it requires and how it both strengthens and lengthens my body at the same time. I’ve struggled with hip pain and tight muscles for a few years now, and no amount of stretching helped. Pilates has strengthened the muscles in my core and hips so that I have much more mobility and flexibility, and a lot less pain. Pilates has improved the quality of my life, made me feel amazing in my own skin and has alleviated my chronic hip pain. I honestly feel like I’m in the best shape of my life. What Motivates You? Q: What motivates you the most to stay healthy & fit? A: Both of my parents did not take care of themselves as they aged. I watched this as a young adult and did not want to take the same path. As I got older, I needed to exercise to manage stress or just take a moment for myself. I genuinely enjoy working out and moving my body and am motivated when I see improvements—like getting stronger, being able to do more complicated moves and gaining flexibility. This winter, I surprised myself by getting nearly vertical while making looping turns on my snowboard and dragging my glove across the snow. It felt fantastic, and I could not have done it without all the Pilates and core strength. Being healthy and fit lets me adventure like I want! Pilates is more than just a workout... it's a lifestyle (in and out of the studio) that raises your vibration and contributes to a happy and healthy life. It makes you feel good from the inside out!
In this series, we’re sitting down with our very own instructors and students. We're asking them why they choose to live the Pilates lifestyle, what their overall fitness routine looks like and what motivates them to stay healthy and fit. Meet Georgia Q: Tell us a little about yourself. A: I’m 69 with two adult kids and I’m a semi-retired legal assistant. I love to garden, do Pilates, hot yoga, walk, hike, and ride my bike, travel and babysit my grandson. Fitness Routine Q: What does your personal daily or weekly fitness routine look like? A: I work out about 6 days a week most often, usually Pilates with a smattering of yoga, barre, walking, hiking and biking. I am and have always been very physical and athletic, and until 10 years ago, I had a hard time giving up some of it in order to not get injured (I used to jog, do aerobics, lift etc.) Why Pilates? Q: How long have you been doing Pilates & why do you choose Pilates as a part of your fitness repertoire? A: When I was 52, I turned to Pilates to help a back injury that traditional western methods were not really fixing. The reformer fascinated me, and I discovered not only did I love it, but it also relaxed me and "centered" me in a mind/body, almost spiritual way that nothing else ever did, while still challenging me and keeping me toned, strong and flexible at the same time. My back healed completely over the first 6 months of Pilates, which I did 2 to 3 times a week. It also streamlined and elongated my body in a way that suited my age and eye better than in previous years, as I wasn't as concerned about being muscular anymore. What Motivates You? Q: What motivates you the most to stay healthy & fit? A: I've always been a little high strung, and Pilates for me is a natural Valium, so to speak. It clears my head, feeds my soul, and is physical therapy and fitness for my body. What motivates me is—after a life of a lot of excesses and testing my body in many ways—I want to stay fit to stay physically, emotionally, and spiritually strong, healthy and calm. I discovered years ago after some intense life events just how amazing it is to have a clean body and peaceful heart and mind, and I never want to go back. The bottom line is I have always believed mental and physical health go together, and I tried to instill this in my children, too… Pilates forever! Pilates is more than just a workout... it's a lifestyle (in and out of the studio) that raises your vibration and contributes to a happy and healthy life. It makes you feel good from the inside out!
In this series, we’re sitting down with our very own instructors and students. We're asking them why they choose to live the Pilates lifestyle, what their overall fitness routine looks like and what motivates them to stay healthy and fit. First up... meet Jeffy: one of our amazing instructors who inspires all of us at Studio Be! About Jeffy Q: Tell us a little about yourself. A: I am 43 and a mom of two children, Jade (age 12) and Dylan (age 10). My days are filled with driving them and their friends to school and activities in Ventura and Ojai. I live for my time with them! In between driving, I fit in teaching Pilates, my own workouts, walking the dogs, reading, journaling, cooking, trying new restaurants, traveling, spending time with my beautiful friends and husband, Tim, and DANCING. Fitness Routine Q: What does your personal daily or weekly fitness routine look like? A: My goals every week are to walk the dogs for 4 miles 2 times a week, hike or walk with friends (6 miles) 2 times a week and Pilates 2 times a week. That doesn’t always happen, and if it doesn’t, I give myself grace. Why Pilates? Q: How long have you been doing Pilates & why do you choose Pilates as a part of your fitness repertoire? A: I started Pilates in 2000 and haven’t stopped since! I have tried every workout you can imagine. I don’t think you should close yourself off to anything. Try it! For me and my body, there is nothing that compares to Pilates. With every year of doing Pilates, I find new ways to move my body, better body awareness, interesting ways to activate my muscles in order to walk and hike better and live better! I also love seeing clients start Pilates and make their own progression. It’s a beautiful thing to watch. What Motivates You? Q: What motivates you the most to stay healthy & fit? A: I ultimately want to feel good inside. I am very conscious of how my center feels, how my body is aligned, how clear my head is and when those things are misaligned, I don’t feel strong or healthy. I take probiotics every day, am religious about my face regimen and eat as clean as I can. I am creature of habit, so I don’t change my meals too much! Every night I have 2 squares of my favorite dark chocolate bar from Trader Joe’s and once a week I will get a big ice cream! My favorite spot is La Frutileta Michoacana. I meal plan every Sunday and grocery shop for the entire week. I cook at home Sunday through Thursday. Fridays and Saturdays we spend with our friends cooking and eating at each other’s homes or trying a new restaurant! |
About The AuthorFitness has always been a guiding force for Kathy Lopez, owner of Studio Be. Her inherent drive for health has naturally translated into helping others achieve strength, balance and wellness. Kathy has been voted Ventura's best Pilates instructor nine years in a row. Learn more... Categories
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