We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Evgenia Oikonomou a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Evgenia thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s start with a story that highlights an important way in which your brand diverges from the industry standard.

As a freelance Pilates Instructor, I have developed my own program based on Aristotelian teachings and Greek Mythology. The Aristotelian teachings are incorporated during the sessions in the form of guided meditation, promoting holistic wellbeing. Clients not only engage in physical development but are also introduced to Aristotle’s concept of “Eudaimonia” (happiness and living well), with the opportunity to apply this idea in their daily lives. As for the “Greek mythology” aspect, I have created an exercise series that is inspired by Greek mythological figures and stories. My approach differs from the industry standard because it isn’t just a typical workout. It is a culturally unique experience where the practitioners connect with elements of the Greek culture, and can benefit from an equal focus on mental and physical development.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Evgenia Oikonomou and I was born and raised in Athens, Greece. I started dancing at a very young age, and around the age of 16 I decided I wanted to pursue dance professionally. When I was 17 I was introduced to Pilates as complimentary training for my dancing, which proved to be a very effective way to improve my overall technique. That was when I fell in love with this graceful and super challenging form of exercise. After graduating from the Athens Conservatoire of Greece with a “Dancer and Dance Teacher” diploma, I decided I wanted to pursue a Pilates Certification. That’s when I landed in New York City, to attend a Comprehensive Pilates Certification program at Power Pilates NYC. I have now graduated from Power Pilates and I hold Mat and Apparatus Certifications in Classical Pilates.

I can work with clients of all ages and fitness backgrounds, clients with past or current injuries and I can teach Private and Group classes (virtual & in-person). I have also developed my own curriculum that integrates Aristotelian philosophy and Greek mythology, offering a fresh and unique approach to the Pilates community. In the future I would love to work more with professional dancers as well. The invaluable support and guidance I received from my Pilates instructor during my training years, has motivated me to seek more opportunities to provide other dancers that same level of support.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

From childhood, my life has been filled with creative pursuits like sketching, painting, dance, singing, music, and crafting. Art is a big part of who I am so I was especially happy to find a creative outlet within the Pilates world by developing my own program. For me, the creative process is self-expression that brings a profound sense of peace. Immersing myself in any art form leaves me feeling both accomplished and deeply relaxed, which I believe is the ultimate reward of being creative.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

Not about my journey alone, but for creatives in general. Speaking as a dancer, I think people don’t understand how seriously underpaid artists are.

Being an artist means exposing a big part of yourself to the world. More specifically, dancers push their bodies to incredible limits, demanding strength, flexibility, and precision that rivals any elite athlete. They endure rigorous daily training, constantly striving for technical perfection while simultaneously working on their artistry. This requires intense physical and mental resilience, as well as constant discipline.

Yet, despite this demanding dual role, the financial rewards for many dancers simply don’t align with the years of rigorous training, the physical toll on their bodies, and the artistic contributions they make. It’s a challenging reality in the dance world, and one that often requires immense passion and perseverance just to sustain a career.

The harsh reality is that the pursuit of one’s deepest passion can be significantly discouraged by the lack of financial stability it often entails in our modern economy. While exceptions exist, the struggle to earn a comfortable living wage is a common experience. Personally I understand and have experienced this conflict, as it is a significant life decision with tangible consequences.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/black.swan_._?igsh=eXBrMG4yOXI4ZWJk&utm_source=qr
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evgenia-oikonomou-5b0986300?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

Image Credits

Paul DuBois
Impulsive Visions by Traffik