About
I focus on the purpose of, and the form of the exercise. I use the system of Pilates to correct specific muscle imbalances that may cause pain, stiffness, poor posture and the like. I am a 3rd generation Pilates instructor: Joseph Pilates> Romana Kryzanowska> Roxane Hoang/ Sari Mejia-Santo> me. I hold two certifications, and have eight years of experience teaching true Pilates to get you where you want to go.
I love watching my client's transform their bodies in ways they never thought possible. I love encouraging someone towards their goals, and when they reach them, the joy they feel is so special it warms my heart. I love this work because of how deep it is, how effective it is, and how truly triumphant it can be. If you take real Pilates seriously, it will take you seriously.
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
I first do an assessment, checking for profession, hobbies, habbits, or athletics as they apply to movement (i.e gardeners might have back or hip pain), and I assess for injury, or pain. I assess range of motion, observe the movement directly, and then I utilize the System of Pilates to meet the individual and their needs. From the very beginning my clients will learn HOW to move properly and why. That's so important– to understand how and why to carry your Pilates lessons into everyday life. That's what gets the job done; that's what gets you results.
It's my professional opinion that it is ideal to use a studio environment- you have the most options for learning the method and carrying out your physical goals. HOWEVER, 2020 proved to not only myself, but my clients that SOLELY working from home and practicing the Pilates Mat also works miracles in the body. I offer Zoom and in-studio lessons. I am certified on all apparatus, and am certified in the system of Pilates.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
1)Chakra Pilates, a Pilates Method Alliance approved "Classical" education 2013
2)Romana's Pilates, a Pilates Method Alliance approved "Classical" education 2020
Romana's Pilates is the world's first, and is still the most prestigious education that can be had in the entire world. It was started by Joseph Pilates' protegé Romana Kryzanowska at his behest. The world's best instructor's come from this particular educational lineage.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
I have standard rates as can be seen at my website www.pilatesapostle.com. Feel free to call if you have questions.
What types of students have you worked with?
I have successfully worked with:
-professional athletes
-dancers
-singers
-those who had been bedridden 1+ years
-scoliosis
-double hip replacement
-Scheuermann's Diesease
-Chronic debilitating back, hip, neck, hip flexor pain
-poor posture
-extreme tightness
-extreme hypermobility
-numbness
-knock kneed
-bowl-legged
-gait issues
-foot pain/ plantar fasciitis
-elderly
-children
-men
-women
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
My greatest joy this year in working with clients was watching a 62 year old woman who came to me with a 14 year limp caused by a major car accident, transform within 5 months into a woman who was fit and walked with no limp. We're now 9 months in, she walks like a "ballerina", she's in love with Pilates, and she's working on her advanced Mat- which is NO SMALL feat! She took one private mat lesson via Zoom per week, and when I asked her to work on this or that, she would. She took and still takes her work seriously. And here's the thing: if you take real Pilates seriously, it will take you seriously, and you'll achieve some SERIOUS RESULTS!
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
My advice is to seek lessons from a highly trained individual. You want someone who ACTUALLY has educational lineage to Joseph Pilates and you want that to be verifiable. Look for teacher's who have graduated from, and kept up with CEC's through 1) Romana's Pilates, 2) Metropolitan Authentic Training (MAT), or through either of those programs and Vintage Pilates (Jay Grimes).
Why? When people speak of the miraculous results of Pilates, or they hear that celebrities or athletes train in Pilates, they're looking at the results achieved by people who learned Joseph's actual system through one of his students. Did you know that Pilates isn't regulated and that anyone having studied the method, OR NOT, can open a "studio", watch some Youtube videos, and call it PIlates? Well now you know. With programs boasting weekend certifications, consumer's truly don't know what their getting these days. Look for those certifications mentioned above and VERIFY.
You also want a teacher that you feel genuinely cares about your progress: if your teacher is talking to you about personal stuff throughout your lesson, run. Only spend time with a teacher that devotes that hour 100% to you learning this powerful work. Also if the teacher is doing the exercises with you the whole time (it's okay to demo but not work out with the students), then they're not able to correct you, so get out of that class and into one where the teacher is watching you to keep you safe and progessing.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Ask about their experience as a teacher, about their certifications. Ask whatever questions you feel you need answered to feel comfortable. Ask your teacher what props or attire you may need for class, and let them go over what their personal requirements are for clients at their studios.