Glaucia Adriana is graduated in Physical Therapy. During her years as a Grad student, she had the chance to attend many Pilates Classes as a client, from coast to coast in the US, but only when she finally graduated and moved to the US for good, she attended her first official Pilates Teacher Training, with Rael Isacowitz from BASI. Glaucia is a Stott certified trainer and a coördinator of education for Lolita’s Legacy Teacher Training in Brazil.

Joseph used to say “First educate the child”, and I say: first educate your client, because the minute he gets to know what Pilates really is he won’t fall for any kind of so called “Pirates” that he/she may find along the way

Why do you love Pilates?

I lived and breathed Pilates and only Pilates for almost 2 years, and of course, having the chance to learn directly from Rael, take classes in his studio for all this time, it certainly had a huge impact on my teaching style, I have no words to describe how lucky I was. By the time I finished my first Pilates training I again started to take classes with as many teachers as I could, but now as a Pilates Professional. I wanted to get to know the Elders who were still working and active at the beginning of 2001, and I was very fortunate to work with many of them. I’m also a certified instructor in Gyrotonic, Gyrokinesis and Leg Extension Unit. I studied manual therapy, more specifically, Leopold Busquet technique (kinetic chain work), I’m also certified in Kinesiotaping Therapy, Aerial Core and Booty Barre. I’m also fully Stott certified (happened in California, with John Garey, another amazing professional that I was lucky enough to learn from) I was the first person in South America to attend and finish the Mentor Program with Lolita San Miguel a few years ago, and through the years I had the chance to assist her with some of the PMMP groups. About 2 years ago Lolita invited me to be the coordinator of education for her Legacy Teacher Training in Brazil.

I’m teaching between Brazil and Florida. Especially since last year, but I’m still running my studios in Brazil. I just happen to be lucky enough to have an amazing team of professionals working by my side. They make it possible for me to be traveling so much around the world. We have both Stott and Balanced Body Equipments. The Studios are located in Brasilia, the capital of Brazil.

How long did you study Pilates?

I’ve been studying Pilates since the day I attended my first mat class as a client, more than 16 years ago. I was at the University at the time pursuing my degree in Physical Therapy, and I remember reading an article in a magazine, I think it was Vogue magazine. I was curious so I just needed to try it. I had the chance to take classes in NY and fell in love almost instantly, suddenly I knew that Pilates was going to be my career choice after I graduate from University.                   My first formal training lasted almost 2 years and from that moment on I never stopped attending courses anymore. I also wanted to get to know other approaches. The more mature you get and the more you understand who is your target audience, then you start having an idea of the path you want to follow, from whom you want to learn more. Every single year I have a schedule that is completely full: courses and workshops to teach, classes and courses to take with specific teachers, besides the workshops and classes that I teach on my own. Last week I was at the PMA Conference in Denver, and it only gets better every year. I really prefer to spend money on formal education but I really try to be at the PMA conference every single year to support the organization. So far it is the only one we have. Yes, I know that some people complain about it, but hey, it’s our only organization. It’s better to be there supporting and giving ideas, trying to contribute than just turning our backs to it. They had an invaluable role in my last project, and the way they behaved towards me and my group was so professional and polite, I will never forget that.

What do you think of Pilatesglossy?

I saw Pilatesglossy for the first time when I saw an article that my friend Connie Borho had written. It is a fantastic tool for those who want to read good articles about Pilates with amazing professionals in it.

What is your opinion about Traditional, Classical and Contemporary Pilates?

Oh wow, I could write a whole book about my answer to this question, let’s just say that I respect REAL Pilates. I’m really concerned about the deviation and wrongful use of all these therms, and this has happened very often. Labeling a professional doesn’t make him or her an amazing instructor, what makes him or her an amazing instructor is how he teaches the work, if he continues to attend continuing education courses and get better and better, the bottom line is that we can’t stop learning, there is always something to learn, but it doesn’t mean that if I learn something new I will call it Pilates. I always make clear to my clients if what I’m doing is Pilates or not, and why I had to change it….Joseph used to say “First educate the child”, and I say: first educate your client, because the minute he gets to know what Pilates really is he won’t fall for any kind of so called “Pirates” that he/she may find along the way.

Nowadays people call themselves a Pilates trainer after one weekend course or a Pilates workshop. What is your opinion about that?

Well, for me this person is not a Pilates instructor at all, and again, my clients are the first ones to ask for the instructors credentials and curriculum, that’s why I come to the same phrase again “First educate your client”, I’m never concerned with this kind of thing, good clients won’t fall for that.

What Pilates apparatus and exercise is your favorite?

My favorite apparatus is the Wunda Chair, no doubt about it. And my favorite exercise is any exercise I can do in the Chair, but maybe Tendon Stretch is my big love!

Did you solve any of your own body issues or do you keep them under control with Pilates?

I keep myself pain free by practicing Pilates, I used to have very painful low back episodes even before my twenties, and with Pilates it simply disappeared!

How did Pilates change your life?

Pilates changed my life in so many ways. First of all it allowed me to work within my field, physical therapy, but using a different tool for it, it allowed me to think and create new ways to work with special populations. Pilates challenges me every single day. It also allowed me to travel the globe learning and teaching and getting to know amazing professionals. Pilates brought to my life the best friends I have, but more, it gave me a job that I absolutely love, it gave me clients that I adore, well…I could just keep writing and writing, because when you ask me if Pilates changed my life, I realize that I have no idea what I was going to be doing if it wasn’t for Pilates.

Who is your Pilates example (besides Joseph and Clara of course…)?

Well, if you asked me this 1 year ago I would tell you just a few names…but since I spent the last 20 days interviewing professionals all over US, I can honestly tell you that every single one of them have a special place in my life now, I saw real passion for Pilates through each one of them.

What would be your top 5 tips for Pilates students and/or newbies?

1.  Take as many classes as you can before deciding which approach or school you will choose to study with
2. Continue to take as many classes as you can even after you get your training done.
3. Once you start working now it’s time to take more classes, from different professionals
4. Observe, sit and observe good teachers do their work
5. Find someone that inspires you, and learn as much as you can with this person
6. 1+2+3+4+5 – Never stop practicing

What do you tell people if they ask you what Pilates is?

Pilates is a system with unique apparatus developed by a very clever German man that was more than 50 years ahead of his time, in which we work the whole body, and calm the mind.

How many lessons do you teach each week?

I don’t teach as many hours as I would like to be teach anymore, due to all the professionals projects I’m involved. Besides, running your own business is not easy at all, but I try to teach at least 5 hours a day, and I’m always being asked to teach privates all the time.

Do you teach (or still teach) a famous person?

Let’s say that because my studios are located in the capital of the Country, Brasília, in Brazil, I have the chance to teach from Ambassadors that come from all over the world and very famous local politicians and leaders, including presidents. Oh well…the funny thing here is, no matter how famous you might think you are, you will always struggle during your Pilates class. And I think they all love this!

What is your opinion about the future of Pilates and what is the biggest insight Pilates gave you?

It will get a little worse before getting back to its tracks I think, but eventually I see Pilates as a very successful Method in the long run, the more we study and publish articles the more the medical community will support us, and of course this will only be possible through very good instructors and professionals. So it’s a win win for everyone, for us that work really hard and for the general public that needs to be exposed to good and serious professionals.

How many times do you workout yourself?

Much less that I wanted to or needed to, and it’s my own fault. I really need to learn how to run and organize my time more effectively. But at least 3 times a week of Pilates, and I also try to add Gyrotonic, Barre Classes and Running to my daily routine. Still struggling to do all this with the many trips and my crazy schedule.

PilatesAnytime of Pilatesology?

I love both of them and there is a huge market for both. I’m friends with Kristi and I’ve been supporting Pilates Anytime since its foundation. I admire her so very much for all she has done for our community. The Legacy Project is absolutely amazing and I think everyone should see it all. And I just recently had the chance to met Alisa Wyatt in person. She created Pilatesology and she’s been a surprise to me, so kind and so professional. I think that there is a place to both of them. Pilates Anytime has different approaches and teachers and Pilatesology tries to keep it to the classical work.

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