We were lucky to catch up with Kristine Skeate recently and have shared our conversation below.

Kristine, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Looking back at internships and apprenticeships can be interesting, because there is so much variety in people’s experiences – and often those experiences inform our own leadership style. Do you have an interesting story from that stage of your career that you can share with us?

When I was studying and earning my certifications on the pilates method in 2000 with Maria Leone her studio Bodylinela I learned something so valuable. My mentor Maria, developed a training called “train your eye”. Not only did I learn proper form and how to teach it, through this method. I learned how to spot variations in one’s body. All bodies are build differently and learning proper mechanics of the body and then spotting the small imbalances while training and then knowing how to make corrections had taken me so far in my career.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Kristine and I’m a certified pilates instructor, reiki healer and aromatherapist. I found pilates in 1999 in San Diego California. I was immediately hooked! I practiced for about 6 months before starting my certification training. I’m certified with The Physical Mind Institute. I studied with master trainer Maria Leone, and still to this day continue my education with her.
My pilates career has taken many turns over the last 24 years and it’s been quite a ride.
I have trained in many studios over the years and 2001-2004 I even had my own studio.
During this time I got married to my amazing husband Ken and we had 2 beautiful children Sofia and Henry.
In 2011 my son Henry was diagnosed with a seizure disorder. This took me away from teaching in studios for a few years. My son’s health was my focus and with the help of CHLA and a dear friend that introduced me to the essential oil world.
I began to study homeopathic therapy with essential oils and reiki. After helping to heal my son. Very proud to say Henry has been seizure free for almost 7 1/2 years and medication free for 7 years.
After helping our family I was able to help others with energy healing.
I went back to large group studio teaching for the last couple years and recently attended the infamous mentorship weekend with Maria at Bodylinela.
During this weekend Onepercentbetterpilates was born.
I truly believe that in whatever goals you would like to achieved, if you push 1% better every time by the end of 1 year you’ll be 37x better in that goal. Striving for the best version of myself so I can serve others is always my goal. I’m so humbled and grateful to be able to do what I do. Helping people become the best versions of themselves.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

As I mentioned earlier I had to leave teaching pilates to focus on my son Henry and his seizure disorder.
After having to cancel more classes than I was teaching I found it necessary.
I dove very deep into essential oils and how they work on the body. The oils that I was using to help my son’s condition were actually working, however I didn’t know why. And I had to learn. During this time I also found energy healing in the way of meditation, reiki, sound baths and footzones.
All of this new beautiful stuff I was learning I decided to incorporate it to my pilates practice.
Wellness for bodies , mind and soul.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I love the lessons of humility. After we are just simply beautiful souls living a human experience.
In the beginning of my pilates career because of who I trained with I felt superior.
But as I continued to surround myself with excellent trainers, the inspiration of my peers reminded me that we are all in this together and I forever will be a student.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Onepercentbetterpilates.com
• Instagram: @onepercentbetterpilates
• Facebook: Kristine Skeate