Instructor Spotlight: June 2018

Patti

You’ve been a fully certified Pilates instructor for years now. Tell us about that.

In the late 90’s, I became a Certified Fitness Instructor and loved it. Soon thereafter I was introduced to Pilates by my sister-in-law and soon-to-be mentor, Bonnie. I fell in love with Pilates and was fully certified on all Pilates equipment by Body Arts and Science International, a rigorous program which includes anatomy, postural analysis, and many hours of Pilates training.

What does Pilates do for you, personally?

I get immense personal satisfaction from sharing my knowledge with my Pilates clients. I also feel a deep camaraderie with my coworkers at Pilates Northwest. I’ve been working here for about 11 years and we have formed deep friendships.

Describe your Pilates teaching style.

I would describe my style as adaptable. Each person needs something different. I enjoy guiding clients through exercises that best fit their lifestyle and goals. My style ranges from gentle rehabilitation work to a more stringent workout, always keeping posture and alignment in mind.

What are your clients like / who do you work with?

My current clients range in age from 30’s to 70’s. A wide clientele age range keeps Pilates challenging and thought provoking for me as an instructor.

Do you have another job or hobbies/interests?

Yes, I have a B.S. in Nutrition from Bastyr University. My passion is finding balance between fitness and nutrition. My hobbies include biking, hiking, weight training and my personal Pilates practice.

What would you want a new Pilates client to hear about before they start?

Pilates is for everyone; all ages, sizes and shapes– for both women and men. Come to Pilates with an open mind, as it’s different than other exercise forms. Given a chance, Pilates can be life changing. The strength, balance and functional mobility I see in clients who stick with their Pilates practice is unprecedented.

Any random thoughts or wisdom to impart?

Have faith in yourself and the process. We all have a journey and Pilates can help keep the mind and body moving in a positive direction.