We recently connected with Jillian Stein and have shared our conversation below.
Jillian, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How did you get your first job in the field that you practice in today?
My first job was with Bright Star Physical Therapy, recommended via my grandmother! I had just finished my certification, and she was eager to get me working haha. I was dancing and choreographing, but needed a regular paycheck. I chose Pilates because I believed in it, it aligned with my university training and would give me access to practice on machines whenever I wanted.Bright Star was actually one of my favorite places to work because of the people. It was a huge group of women who were all very serious about their work, everyone was well educated in their feild, and thankfully they were also very funny and familial. It was great. I mainly taught in 15 minute slots in accordance to a Physical Therapist. I worked with injuries and people healing from surgeries. It was a bit daunting at first, but also came very naturally as I had dealt with injuries of my own and the environment there was communicative and supportive. I think it gave me a positive association to work, which was priceless.
Jillian, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I started practicing Pilates as a dancer. It was recommended as a way to support my body and improve my technique. I loved it and saw immediate results. After training for years in classes and having the same issues, the Pilates machines helped support my spine and find my core while lifting my legs or going upside down. It was so fun and satisfying to finally overcome those weaknesses.
I like using Pilates and the machines to help people feel and engage their bodies in the same way. To make physical connections, to feel and control their body, to gain mobility and strength. Pilates is perfectly aligned with certain movement principles and biomechanics. I love how you can deconstruct an action and control it with specific muscles, or concentrate on an embodied quality that brings everything together. It is a tool and it works exceptionally well when approached in this way. I like working with individuals for this reason as it helps me personalize each class based on each client.
Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?
What helped me be consistent with this work was the over all awareness of what service I was providing to my community. I had a deeper intention or purpose of wanting to help people connect and build positive relationships to their bodies. Pilates gave me certain skills that upped my level of ability to dance. This helped me realize that if I give my body what it needs it will function better. The experience of that was major. With the amount of time and repetition that can come with a job, it either can be taxing or fulfilling. Being clear in your purpose or at least your functional role and how that is meaningful makes all the difference.
If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?
It would either be this or environmental law, and I think the emotional reality of that job would never have worked out for me. I am very happy with my choices, and grateful to have a skill I can share.
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