We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Deeppa Ravindran. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Deeppa below.

Deeppa, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Setting up an independent practice is a daunting endeavor. Can you talk to us about what it was like for you – what were some of the main steps, challenges, etc.

I was employed for many years but decided to start my own Pilates practice after the Covid pandemic. Pilates helped me manage my back pain and I wanted to share this with others. Along the way, I had to learn entrepreneurship skills and various ways to market myself, I glad also had lots of support from family and friends who believe in my work and have been supporting my business.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I worked for an organization that helps raise awareness of the impacts of chemicals on children’s health. Much of my work included traveling the globe, carrying heavy books, and long hours of travel. About 5 years ago I traveled to the mountains of South China, on a four-bus ride. When I woke up the next morning, I could not move my legs. I thought I was imagining the situation, and then slowly started moving and could feel my legs again. I came back to Malaysia and found out that I had a slipped disc, while the case was not as serious as some, I had chronic back pain for years to come and that limited my activities. Prior to the incident, I was actively taking up adult ballet classes. I was in and out of hospitals and physiotherapy centers. Imagine living with pain all day. Most of the treatment temporarily helped me relieve pain.

Mainly because most treatments focus on releasing muscle tension or inflammation but not on physical exercises. Some of the physiotherapists even asked me to stop strength-based exercises that made my muscles weak and aggravate the pain further.

One day, I tried Pilates-based exercises after reading about its benefits which include back pain relief. When I first got my back injured, I was wearing a corset to keep my body upright. Now I no longer wear it, thanks to Pilates! I saw an improvement and it helped reduce my back pain.

Pilates helps you build your natural corset so you don’t have to wear one. Your natural corset includes your deep core muscles such as the transversus abdominis, which helps keep your body upright and restores your spine’s natural curve.

So reaping its benefits, I decided to teach Pilates. My practice includes a special program aimed to help alleviate back pain and neck pain. State The program cuts down the amount of time, energy and resources needed to manage pain as compared to coventional programs.

Many of my clients have found immediate relief for their back pain and have been able to strengthen their core and improve their posture and flexibility with Pilates.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

Having a sense of purpose is very important in this industry, it makes you very resilient to the many challenges that you may face. I feel that I do not want many of my clients to go through what I have and so my training simplifies the most effective exercises for managing and improving back pain. Clients said that they end up feeling lighter and that their spine “opens up” after a Pilates session with me. Many of them have seen an improvement in their posture, energy, and stamina. I also feel deep empathy for what they are going through and clients instinctively know that.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

When the Covid pandemic happened a few years ago, Pilates has been my rock that helped me through these trying times. I became not only physically stronger but mentally as well. It made my mind sharp and alert, which made me open to new ideas and creative at the same time. Pilates made my body very resilient and this gave me the confidence to walk upright and wear heels after many years. And recently, I won the “Best-Dressed” award for an event. The theme of the evening was Greek Mythology. I overheard someone say “She won because of the way she walks”. I could not imagine a life without the corset.

During the pandemic, the fitness industry had to adapt from having classes in physical studios to going online. So, many of my tutorials and classes were taught online, it was not easy but nonetheless, I adapted and preserved. I had to find creative but effective solutions for my clients to continue their programs online.Now I teach Pilates in person, in studios located in Damansara Heights and Mont Kiara, Kuala Lumpur.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.deeppar.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deeppar.pilates/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/deepparavindran/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deeppa-ravindran-572743181/?originalSubdomain=my

Image Credits
Photos taken Daniel Wenzel Theivendran