I am very happy to welcome Laura Browning Grant (30)- a Lolita San Miguel Disciple Educator- on Pilatesglossy. I follow Laura on Facebook and read her article in Pilatesstyle. I love her spirit, humor and passion for Pilates. I just hád to ask her for an interview. And here it is. Get inspired by this beautiful lady! Laura is the living proof that Pilates has withstood the test of time.

Tell us something about your background.

I am 30 years old and a native of Raleigh, North Carolina. I recently returned to my hometown after living and working in San Diego and Los Angeles, California for five years. I am recognized as a Second Generation Pilates Instructor and Lolita Disciple Educator after completing Lolita San Miguel’s Pilates Master Mentor Program. I received my first Pilates certification from the Pilates Certification Center in 2003 and became a PMA-CPT in 2008. My enthusiasm for learning has led me to completion of eleven Pilates’ specialty courses over the years. In 2008, after an extensive two year program, I became a certified Gyrotonic Level I instructor. My passion for sharing has driven me to the development of four Pilates Fine Tuning PMA-CEC workshops—Reformer, Cadillac, Barrel/Spine Corrector and Wunda Chair and PMA-CEC Workshop Pilates for the Athlete. After recognizing the role Pilates can play in the treatment of ADHD symptoms, I also created a PMA continuing education course addressing Pilates & ADHD and authored an instructional manual on this topic.

I have been honored to be a presenter at the 2015 Pilates Heritage Congress in Germany, a contributor to Pilates Bridge and to be a featured contributor in Pilates Style Magazine. I have taught Pilates in Raleigh, San Diego and Los Angeles. I returned to Raleigh in 2015 and opened Laurabpilates studio in two Raleigh locations. I launched my website, laurabpilates.com in 2013 for the purpose of sharing my passion of The Pilates Method with others and generating a sense of community in the Pilates world. Recently, I expanded this effort by co-creating the #Pilateschallenge15 on Instagram with Cotrone Pilates. Teaching clients and instructors is truly my passion and I feel blessed everyday as I travel on this Pilates journey with others.

I read an article in a fitness magazine about Pilates. It was the first time I had ever heard the word Pilates. I started taking equipment privates from a local instructor and was immediately hooked. I loved the reformer; the movements came naturally and I felt amazing.

Can you tell us more about your studio’s?

During my career I have owned two studios. After teaching Pilates in Raleigh for five years, I opened a studio offering Pilates and Gyrotonic. Starting from the ground floor, I was responsible for all aspects—design, purchasing, staffing, scheduling, etc. I learned a lot in the process and loved every minute of every day interacting with clients and other instructors. But, as life would have it, I had to sell my share of the studio and move to California. After five years in California, I returned to Raleigh, North Carolina and opened Laurabpilates Studio in two locations. One studio is located in the southern part of Raleigh and is furnished with Gratz and Balanced Body equipment and a Gyrotonic Tower. I use Balanced Body equipment in my smaller studio located in the north Raleigh area. I hold all workshops and courses in my south Raleigh location. I am overwhelmed by the welcoming feeling I have received since returning to the Raleigh area and I treasure each and every new and returning client I have worked with since opening Laurabpilates in Raleigh. Readers, please, if you are ever in the area, contact me…I would love to meet you and share our Pilates passion!

How did you discover Pilates?

The Pilates Method became part of my life while I was in high school. I had always been active. I participated in gymnastics, cheerleading, springboard diving, running and tennis. But, deep down I understood that I needed to find a form of movement that I could sustain throughout my life. I loved to move! Amazingly, I read an article in a fitness magazine about Pilates. It was the first time I had ever heard the word Pilates. I started taking equipment privates from a local instructor and was immediately hooked. I loved the reformer; the movements came naturally and I felt amazing. Over time, I became stronger than I had ever been and developed a deeper connection with my body. I was determined to continue with my Pilates practice and worked hard to earn extra income babysitting to pay for my sessions. I was definitely addicted to the method!

What made you decide to make Pilates your profession?

I can’t imagine doing anything else in my life! From the first Pilates session, I knew it would always be my passion. School had always been a struggle. I have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and found learning in the confines of a classroom situation to be overwhelming. But, everything changed when I discovered The Pilates Method. All of a sudden, I wanted to learn about Pilates. I soaked up every piece of information I received from my instructor. Pilates came naturally and I gained greater confidence in myself with each session. All I wanted to do was to study and practice the method. I completed my college degree after high school, but never stopped teaching Pilates. Shortly after college, I decided I wanted to own and operate my own studio. After working for five years, I wanted to share my Pilates passion on my own terms in an inviting and welcoming atmosphere.

For the first time I connected to something that came naturally. For years I had been an athlete training my body. Yet, I had never experienced a true connection between my mind and body. Now, I train my mind first and my body is secondary.

Do you still study Pilates?

I have been studying Pilates since my first private session fourteen years ago. Each course, workshop, conference, session I take, and session I teach are a study in the method. I learn from listening to others and from listening to my own body during my practice sessions. I truly believe you can never know everything! Once you start thinking you know everything, you actually know nothing. So, yes, I attend workshops whenever I get a chance. I also make an effort to take sessions from other instructors when I travel. I believe everyone has something to offer and I love interacting with other Pilates instructors. I can’t stop thinking about a recent two day workshop I attended with MeJo. Wow, she is amazing! I will always continue to study the method. It is a lifetime journey…not only in the studio, practicing, and teaching…it’s a lifestyle and a way of living.

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

I really believe there is a place for everyone and everything in this world. Each and every person is unique. Our differences make life interesting. So, how can one way of doing anything be right for every body? Personally, my study and experience with the work that Joseph Pilates created proves he was a genius. The Pilates Method has withstood the test of time. It was effective when created and still effective today. When studying the order, reasoning, movement, etc. of The Pilates Method, one will recognize the brilliance of his creation. I understand the desire to be creative with the method…we all like to be unique. But, I want my Pilates clients to learn Pilates. This can be achieved by focusing on the sequence and key exercises of The Pilates Method. I have taught in various Pilates environments over the years and personally seen benefits from each method. Yet, over the same years I have spent time deepening my understanding of the brilliance of the original work and have come to believe that, when practiced in the original form, The Pilates Method is effective in multiple situations. Even so, I still have a lot to learn and look forward to sharing with instructors from all Pilates’s practices.

More and more people claim that they are a Pilates trainer after one weekend course. What is your opinion about that?

I have studied The Pilates Method for years and I still have a lot to learn. I can’t imagine teaching a client the method after a weekend workshop. For me, Pilates is a lifestyle and something I really believe has to be present in your own body before you can teach others and this takes years to achieve. Just learning the movements is not enough. It takes years of experience to understand how to help individuals connect with their bodies and to be able to identify the needs of a client. I believe that if you are serious about helping individuals achieve well-being as a Pilates instructor, never stop learning. Attend workshops, courses, classes, and interact act with other instructors. And, most of all, practice The Pilates Method!

What Pilates apparatus brand is your favorite?

I love the Cadillac. I find that the feedback, challenge, layout, accessibility, etc. provide me with so many tools and options when teaching my clients and I use it as my go to piece in my personal practice. I believe that all brands have a place and it’s important for each individual to use whatever brand they feel meets their needs. Personally, I prefer Gratz apparatus. I love the challenge and feedback it provides when performing movements. And, I love the way it looks…it matches my décor!

What Pilates exercise is your favorite? What Pilates exercise is your least favorite?

I love to perform any exercise that involves splits, handstands, inversion, backbends, etc. In other words, any advanced move that involves the use of my gymnastic background. My least favorite exercise is the Roll Up. For me, this is so challenging. I am embarrassed to say I have not mastered this move without assistance after years of practice. Work in progress!

Did you start your own educational program?

I am a Lolita San Miguel Disciple Educator and I teach the Lolita Legacy Certification Program.

Do you teach more male or female clients?

Over the years I have taught many males, but overall females outnumber the males. I have trained male athletes and really enjoyed the challenge. I believe the growth of extreme sports is going to have a lifelong effect on male and female bodies. But, females often recognize this fact and address the issue before it becomes a problem. Yet, males often ignore this issue until it is too late. I would love to take both males and females that push their bodies to the limit every day and teach them how to nurture their body in a way that will minimize injury and provide optimal return for their efforts.

The best Pilates teachers are individuals that have a constant desire to learn, that practice the method and are willing to share their knowledge.

In what way did Pilates changed YOUR life?

For the first time I connected to something that came naturally. For years I had been an athlete training my body. Yet, I had never experienced a true connection between my mind and body. Now, I train my mind first and my body is secondary.

What would be your top 5 tips for Pilates students?

1. Listen to your body
2. Practice, Patience, Persistence
3. Connect both mind and body—not just one or the other
4. Focus
5. Carry the method into your life outside the studio

What is your main advice to the future trainers who want to be Pilates instructors?

First and most importantly, practice the method. Spend time taking lessons from instructors of all backgrounds. Learn the work in your own body. Before selecting a training program, do your research and talk to various instructors about their experiences. If I were beginning the process again, I would find a training program that teaches The Pilates Method as designed by Joseph Pilates. Also, I recommend that you learn from a first, second or third generation instructor. Lastly, I would remind a future trainer that Pilates is a lifelong journey—if you get to the point where your think you know it all, you truly know nothing.

What makes a Pilates teacher a better Pilates teacher?

The best Pilates teachers are individuals that have a constant desire to learn, that practice the method and are willing to share their knowledge.

I often hear that in gyms “Pilates” is taught without, for example, The Hundred or other original exercises. What do you think about that?

For many people, this is their first experience with Pilates. After the class, they often leave thinking they have just “done Pilates”. I have taken classes like this. Some of the exercises are Pilates and others are not. But, the average person can’t distinguish. The Pilates Method is designed with a purpose. If the key elements are not present, it just isn’t Pilates. Hopefully, such classes will encourage individuals to explore The Pilates Method in the future.

Do you teach a lot each week?

Most of my teaching hours involve one-on-one sessions with clients. I also teach group classes on the reformer that have a maximum of three students. Approximately once a month I teach continuing education workshops on the weekends. Every few months I donate my services and teach a mat class where the proceeds are donated to a charity.

What do you like the most about teaching Pilates? What do you dislike?

I like the people, both clients and fellow instructors and I love the overall life changing effect it has on my clients…both mind and body. I agree with Susannah Cotrone in her recent interview with Pilatesglossy; “I dislike exchanging money for what I do. But, I am forever grateful for my livelihood.”

How many times per week do you workout yourself?

I am active every day of the week. Activity is a key element in the control of my ADHD symptoms. I vary my workout each day to avoid overuse of the same parts of my body. Each day I perform some form of cardio and mind/body work such as Pilates, Yoga, or Gyrotonic.

Is there still an exercise (or more than one) you haven’t “nailed” yet?

Absolutely and, if everyone is truly honest with themselves, they will agree that there are exercises that their body has a hard time mastering. For me, The Roll Up is so hard to master. I blame it on my scoliosis, but, if I practiced as I should, I know I could “nail” it with ease. Guess I avoid practicing because it is so hard for me to do it correctly. 😉

Will you keep on practicing and teaching Pilates?

Absolutely, for the rest of my life! Pilates is part of me and I can’t imagine a life void of Pilates. Recently, I have branched out and created continuing education courses and workshops for both instructors and Pilates enthusiasts. I love digging deeper into the work and sharing what I have learned over the years with other Pilates instructors. I have also increased my presence on Social Media in an attempt to unite the Pilates community. #Pilateschallenge15 was created to encourage community and offer an opportunity for Pilates supporters to share their passion.

What is your favorite Pilates quote?

I love Pilates quotes and use them often, so, how can I choose just one? But, this is the first one that came to mind:

“One of the major results of Contrology is gaining the mastery of your mind over the complete control of your body.”

Did you write a book?

I have written a manual titled “Pilates & ADHD Manual”. This manual is designed to help both instructors and clients understand ADHD and how Pilates can be used as a key component in the treatment of ADHD symptoms. Many of the symptoms revolve around the inability to focus. Therefore, this technique is not only applicable for ADHD clients, but also for clients that have a difficult time focusing and connecting when practicing The Pilates Method. I offer a two day course on Pilates & ADHD which includes the manual and it is also available for purchase without the course.

Is there a Pilates book you would like to recommend to our readers?

Actually, there are 3 MUST HAVE books I recommend.

1. Your Health by Joseph Hubertus Pilates
2. Return to Life Through Contrology by Joseph H. Pilates
3. The Pilates Method of Physical and Mental Conditions by Philip Friedman & Gail Eisen

Are you available for bookings in the Netherlands?

Yes, I am more than happy to come to the Netherlands to teach workshops. Below are the current workshops I offer:

1. Pilates & ADHD Course
2. Pilates for the Athlete
3. Pilates Fine Tuning
4. Pilates Fine Tuning Mat
5. Pilates Fine Tuning Reformer
6. Pilates Fine Tuning Cadillac
7. Pilates Fine Tuning Ladder Barrel & Barrels
8. Pilates Fine Tuning Wunda Chair
9. Advanced Reformer Repertoire
10. Advanced Cadillac Repertoire
11. Advanced Ladder Barrel Repertoire
12. How to Format Group Classes vs. Private Lessons
13. Tactile Cueing

www.laurabpilates.com

laura@laurabpilates.com

(919) 801-2605

#laurabpilates

Laura’s YouTube channel