What do you remember the first time you took a pilates class?

I remember the way it made me feel waking up all these muscles I didn’t normally use!

Did you have a favorite Pilates instructor when you were a practicing student? How did that instructor help in your practice?

My favorite instructor was a woman I practiced with while in Bali Indonesia. She fell in love with Pilates and opened her own outdoor studio there. She taught me a new way of viewing the practice, which is looking at it less like a workout and more like teaching your body new ways to grow with each class.

What led you to pursue pilates teacher training?

From the moment I took my first Pilates class in college I knew it was something I would love to do forever and that one day I wanted to become an instructor. Life was busy for a while and after a couple years I finally had a little extra time to start taking classes after work. I have been studying with The Pilates Instructor Academy online and practiced in person at Club Pilates and with other various instructors in Virginia Beach to obtain my Mat Instructor Certification.

In your opinion, what makes Pilates so special?

Pilates is a Mind – Body workout, for me that means being able to really tune into every breath and muscle in my body during these classes and knowing that my body is capable and strong. Watching my body get stronger and stronger and be able to push itself father is so gratifying.

If a person is new to Pilates, what advice would you give them?

Take it slow and listen to your body. Remember you are stronger than you think you are. Trust your muscles to know what to do and you will be surprised how far you will go..

We all have superpowers when we are doing what we love…what is your Pilates superpower?

I think my Pilates superpower is my calm demeanor during the class. I want all my students to feel that as well and try to teach with a sense of ease.

At Coastal Pilates and Yoga we are incorporating the healing modalities of heat, sound and colored light (chromotherapy) into our classes. Tell me about your first experience in the therapy room. What surprised you or stuck with you after that first session?

My first experience in the heated infrared and color light therapy room was nothing short of magical. With the cold weather outside when you first step into the room it’s warm like wearing a blanket. The all-white room reflects the changing-colored lights all around you. You feel so calm and peaceful when you start the class, and as you flow through you can feel your body start to warm up gradually. By the time you reach the end of the class you’ll be surprised by the sweat that built up without you noticing.

Chromotherapy (color light therapy) is a healing modality that can improve the health of the body and mind. Explain how you weave color therapy into your Hot Pilates sessions.

Chromotherapy uses the power of color in our everyday lives to support our mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing. The different wavelengths and colors offer different benefits. I like using a mix of colors throughout the class to calm our minds and let them connect with our bodies. The lights in our room make it easier for you to focus on what’s right around you instead of letting our mind wonder. Certain colors also calm your nervous systems letting you move through your Pilates flow with ease.

Do you have a favorite light color when doing Hot Pilates?

Of course I love red! Everyone has heard about the benefits of red-light therapy but another color I love is blue. It is a highly peaceful color and can be especially helpful for stress management as it encourages a powerful sense of calm.

What can a student expect when they join you for a Hot Pilates class?

For your first class I hope to take you through a journey of meditation and strength, a chance to calm your mind and the world outside to really connect with your body.

Tell me what you do when not teaching Pilates?

Outside of Pilates I’m an IT Recruiter with a focus on applications. Besides work you can find me doing home projects with my husband and dog or out on the water soaking up the sun and salt water!