About
Classical Pilates informed by dance and gymnastics
My Teaching Style
I am trained in teaching classical Pilates - this means following the established progressive system of exercises that this workout was originally meant to be to specifically train spinal mobility, flexibility, stability, and core strength. In my classes you will largely follow the same order of exercises, but often utilizing modifications, variations, and opportunities for advancement. Depending on the class time and location, we may also use equipment such as balls, weights, or magic circles. Though the classical format might seem repetitive, the goal is to fine-tune the technique to get the most out of it - and one upside to this is the ability to see your progress on each exercise over time as you stick with it!
My history as a "late-start" dancer and gymnast also informs my practice. On a practical level, I incorporate lots of stretching throughout the class to target flexibility, and I have a nuanced understanding of how good Pilates form overlaps with good dance form, making my classes a great cross-training opportunity. But most importantly, I understand firsthand starting from scratch to build up your skills when you're stressed about it being too late for you to make any meaningful progress Spoiler: it's not too late! - it just takes serious dedication and I am here to help you navigate your own way to where you want to be, whether it's to improve your dancing ability, strengthen for your sport, or just get your workouts in for the week!
My Story
Originally from Virginia, I moved to Minnesota and earned my BFA in animation from Minneapolis College of Art & Design and eventually moved from there to Los Angeles. A few years after my move (and after a lifetime of assuming I could never do such things), I started taking ballet classes as a hobby and quickly fell in love with dance. I took solely ballet for several years and even made it on pointe for a time. I currently focus on modern (I love Martha Graham technique!) and jazz.
In the meantime I absolutely loved watching rhythmic gymnastics, and thinking how cool it would be to learn some of the skills, I thought - well, I already took the plunge to start dancing at 28, so why not see what I could do with gymnastics in my 30s? Long story short, I'm no prodigy but I am humbled by the hard work it has taken to make what seemingly little progress I have - but slowly seeing the results of this work take shape has made it all worth it! I am happy to report that with no childhood experience and little natural flexibility you can in fact work towards gaining skills, flexibility, strength and coordination as an adult (but be prepared for the long haul).
As it became clear that dance and gymnastics were in my life to stay, my interest in cross-training and general fitness was piqued. I've tried many things including barre fitness, weight training, and eventually Pilates, hearing that it was popular cross-training for dancers. I decided in 2024 to give teaching fitness a shot as a "second career" and got certified through Power Pilates as a mat teacher. Throughout all of this, I still continue as a freelance artist (to see my work, check out my portfolio site!).
