We caught up with the brilliant and insightful 2 Pilates Chicks Hilary Opheim/davita Paul a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

2 Pilates Chicks, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

A Serendipitous Partnership: From Pilates Conference to Podcast

It’s amazing how chance encounters and small risks can blossom into incredible partnerships and friendships. That’s exactly what happened to us. We met in 2018 at a Pilates conference, where Hilary was teaching a workshop that Davita attended. Little did we know that this meeting would spark a journey that led us to where we are today.

Just over a year later, Hilary moved to Los Angeles and opened her studio, serendipitously within walking distance of Davita’s. Davita, noticing a familiar name on the studio window, reached out to Hilary. Although Davita usually doesn’t make personal connections with local studios, something prompted her to email Hilary, expressing her interest in seeing the new space. Hilary, always welcoming, invited Davita for a visit and a chat.

So. we started working together, but within a week, the pandemic forced everything to shut down. Undeterred, we continued collaborating virtually for two years. Finally, we reconnected in person at the studio, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Through countless conversations about our shared passions for teaching, the Pilates industry, and supporting aspiring professionals, we decided to turn our discussions into a podcast. After a couple of successful seasons, we expanded our work into continuing education workshops for Pilates teachers. We’re now thrilled to be developing even more courses and post-graduate studies programs.

We’re incredibly excited about the future of 2 Pilates Chicks and the supportive community we’ve fostered. Our story is a reminder that you never know what can happen when you reach out, keep an open mind, and simply have a chat!

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.

Pilates, Life, Podcast: The 2 Pilates Chicks

The 2 Pilates Chicks is a vibrant hub for Pilates teachers and enthusiasts, offering a podcast, community, and enriching learning environment. We’re dedicated to fostering a supportive and positive space for both teachers and their clients. We believe that learning is a lifelong journey, no matter how experienced you are as a teacher. That’s why we’re passionate about providing continuing education workshops, mentoring sessions, a monthly podcast, and an insightful blog.

Our motto is simple yet powerful: “Teach the body in front of you.” This principle applies to all movement practices, reminding us to connect with each client on an individual level. Every teacher strives to improve their work, but there’s no single path to perfection. The key is to understand and address the unique needs of each client in your studio. Every person thinks, moves, and responds differently, so we guide each client with personalized attention.

Our workshops dive into specific topics to encourage teachers to reflect on their teaching methods and connect more deeply with their clients and Pilates. We strive to create a supportive and positive community for all teachers, regardless of their training background, empowering them to find their authentic teaching style while incorporating evidence-based science into their Pilates and movement practice. Continuing education credits (CECs) are available for each workshop, further supporting the professional development of Pilates teachers. Remember, to always keep learning!

You can find our podcast on all major platforms, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, I Heart Radio, and YouTube. Each episode explores aspects specific to teaching Pilates, but we also discuss how the lessons we learn in the studio apply to everyday life outside of the studio. Even if you’re new to Pilates, we guarantee you’ll enjoy our podcast! We promise to bring you a smile and laughter with every episode.

We cover a wide range of topics, from becoming a Pilates teacher and honing teaching skills to maintaining a positive mindset with challenging clients, the benefits of movement and Pilates, and much more.

Subscribe to our podcast wherever you listen and join us monthly for new episodes!

Hilary Opheim:
Hilary has been teaching Pilates for over 25 years. She opened her original studio in Houston in 2005 where she also created a teacher training program. In 2019 she moved her studio to Los Angeles where she continues to teach clients and student teachers. She is a Nationally Certified Pilates Teacher (NPCP), and her training program and studio are continually ranked as “The Best of LA” for distinguished teaching. Hilary is a renowned Pilates Teacher, Mentor and Teacher Trainer, and has hosted many workshops for continuing education through her and others’ studios, and at multiple Pilates conferences.

Hilary focuses on Traditional Pilates, is a graduate of the Heritage Training program of Kathy Grant’s work, as well as the program Movement Science Made Simple (MSMS) which focuses on current concepts in biomechanics, motor learning, and pain science with time-tested movement training strategies.

Hilary also is the creator and co-host of the Pilates Podcast, 2 Pilates Chicks, focusing on continuing education and supportive, inclusive environment for Pilates teachers.

Davita Paul:
Davita is a nationally certified Pilates teacher (NPCP) and movement corrective exercise specialist (CES). She holds a Master’s of Science (MS) in Kinesiology for corrective orthopedic rehabilitation and geriatric exercise; and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance and performance studies.

Her career began as a professional ballet dancer, where she discovered the benefits of Pilates for recovery from chronic pain. In 2014, she established a Pilates program at the Brentwood Country Club, which she continued growing over the next decade, and developed Davita Pilates Movement Therapeutics which serves as a bridge between physical therapy and fitness, working alongside PTs and allied health care providers.

Davita is also the co-host of the 2 Pilates Chicks podcast.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

Authentic Connection: The Key to Growing Your Pilates Clientele
In the realm of Pilates instruction, where the goal is to guide clients through a transformative movement practice, we believe that authenticity is the most potent tool for growth.

As instructors, we emerge from training armed with a wealth of knowledge about movement, anatomy, and the Pilates method. However, the true art lies in applying this knowledge to the unique needs of each individual client. Whether seeking pain relief, increased strength, cross-training, or simply curiosity, clients come to us with diverse motivations. It’s our responsibility to meet them where they are, connecting the Pilates method to their specific goals.

Discovering our unique teaching voice takes time and dedication. It requires building confidence, embracing our natural style, and transitioning from the role of student to that of teacher. While the best teachers are perpetual learners, stepping into this role demands both confidence and compassion.

Ultimately, our primary objective is to guide clients toward feeling better through Pilates-based movement. When we achieve this, clients are not only likely to return but also become enthusiastic advocates for our studio within their networks.

In essence, authenticity in teaching fosters a genuine connection with clients. This connection fuels their progress and satisfaction, ultimately leading to a thriving and sustainable Pilates business.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Navigating the Pandemic: A Pilates Studio’s Journey of Adaptation
The COVID-19 pandemic forced a seismic shift across all industries, and the Pilates world was no exception. We experienced multiple pivots, transitioning entirely to virtual instruction on March 13, 2020, and then gradually reintroducing in-studio sessions in mid-2021.

The initial shutdown brought about a complete transformation of our work and daily routines. Within days, the fitness industry embraced online platforms, offering classes around the clock from around the world. It was a novel, exciting, yet incredibly stressful time. We had to rapidly adapt our business, which had been solely based on in-person sessions, to a 100% virtual model. Over one weekend we launched online classes just three days after the mandated closures.

After 18 months of virtual instruction, the reopening process presented a new set of challenges. We had to navigate uncertainty, implement safety measures, and establish cleaning protocols while maintaining the positive changes we had incorporated during the virtual phase.

While the pandemic presented immense challenges, it also opened new doors. Clients appreciated the convenience of working out at home, and the virtual tools we developed expanded our reach and created additional revenue streams. We now believe the hybrid model, combining in-person and virtual offerings, is here to stay, offering flexibility and accessibility for both clients and instructors.

The pandemic forced us to adapt and innovate, and in doing so, we discovered new possibilities for our business and the Pilates community as a whole. It was a testament to our resilience and ability to evolve in the face of adversity.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://PilatesChicks.com
• Instagram: @2PilatesChicks
• Facebook: 2 Pilates Chicks
• Youtube: @2PilatesChicksPodcast
• Other: Spotify 2Pilates Chicks
  Apple Podcasts 2 Pilates Chicks
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