Jaclyn Forrester Of Niche Pilates On How Pilates Can Improve Your Health and Wellbeing

Pilates was invented around 100 years ago, and it is becoming an increasingly popular form of exercise. What exactly is Pilates? How is it different from other modalities like Yoga or Tai Chi? What are the benefits of Pilates? Who can most benefit from it? In this interview series, we are talking to Pilates professionals & practitioners who can talk about how Pilates can improve your health and wellbeing. As a part of this series, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Jaclyn Forrester, Niche Pilates.

Jaclyn is the founder of Niche Pilates Studio and creator of the Niche Instructor Trainig. She has more than a decade of teaching movement, 11,000 hours of teaching, world-class pilates training, and a degree in exercise science, health, and education. Her proprietary pilates instructor training is practical and steeped in form, alignment, and anatomy.

Thank you so much for joining us! Before we dive in, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you share with us the most interesting story from your career? Can you tell us what lessons or ‘takeaways’ you learned from that?

For me. it’s less a single story and more the ever evolving story of life as a small business owner. There is something interesting that happens everyday, every week, every month and every year. In my case, as well as many other business owners I know, I opened up a Pilates studio because I love Pilates. I love the gift that I’m able to give clients and the now that I’ve developed by own instructor training program, the give that I can give to instructors who can then pass along the gift of Pilates to their own clients.

The takeaways are plentiful. All you have to do is be willing to learn and be dedicated to growth [within yourself and the business]. When I opened the doors, I knew quite a bit about Pilates and teaching movement but I feel like where I’ve grown the most is as an entrepreneur and manager. I’ve learned how to read P&L statements, develop marketing plans and manage a team. I’ve learned that it’s just as important to figure out what not to do is just as important figuring out what to do. Shedding what doesn’t move you forward is essential–whether it’s a report that isn’t giving you the data you really need or employees that are no longer a culture or performance fit or even an entire service offering that isn’t performing.

Now that I’ve been in business for five years, I’m able to identify what serves the business more clearly and it gives me the ability to make confident decisions more quickly which in the long run, gets us to the goal faster.

You are a successful leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?

• Caring: I love Pilates, I love teaching movement and teaching others how to teach purposeful movement because I truly care how people feel in their bodies. I want them to have a better understanding and relationship with their bodies. An important part of our instructor training program is teaching new instructors how to weave in educating clients. We teach in a way that improves body awareness, teaches them about basic anatomy and how their body should or should not feel. We praise clients for opting to go with the movement that feels best for them each day versus being hard on themselves for taking a modification. Who knows, with the next move they may opt for the amplification. The important takeaway is that the client continues to move in a way that feels good so that they can continue. Ultimately, we want their lifespan and healthspan to track in the same direction for as long as possible
• Honest and ethical: as a business owner you have so many conversations with clients, employees, vendors, etc. If you’re always honest and you’re always ethical you know you can sleep at night knowing you did your best. It also makes it a lot easier because you don’t have to try and remember some made up story. I’m way too busy to keep up with drama and stories. Being honest and ethical allows me to make mistakes, draw awareness to them and strive to improve. With my team I believe in transparency. Sometimes I feel like I over share- personally or about the details within the business. I do this because I want the team to understand where the business is going, what the plan is to get there and what we’ve learned from our failures and successes in the past.

Are you working on any exciting new projects now? How do you think that might help people?

Yes! We have a few exciting projects in the works. We are revamping the Niche Instructor Training program with new videos and materials. We will also be launching an on-demand platform for clients and instructors. Currently the details on the latter are confidential but rest assured, it’s going to be exciting!

Ok, thank you for all that. Now let’s shift to the main focus of our interview about Pilates. To begin, can you tell our readers a bit about why you are an authority on the topic of Pilates?

I am the founder of Niche Pilates Studio and creator of the Niche Instructor Trainig. I have more than a decade of teaching movement, 11,000 hours of teaching, world-class pilates training, and a degree in exercise science, health, and education. I’m really proud of our pilates instructor training that is practical and steeped in form, alignment, and anatomy. Our courses will offer an online manual with videos to accompany them. Every single movement for both courses has been filmed and will be available to view for students in perpetuity.

Let’s start with a basic definition so that we are all on the same page. What exactly is Pilates?

Isn’t it funny that there is a general understanding of what yoga is but Pilates always gets the raise of an eyebrow? I think it’s because Pilates is so applicable to movement as a whole. You can go for a walk and practice Pilates principles, you can cycle, swim, run or lift weights and practice Pilates principles.

Pilates, at its core [hehe], the essential principles. Move with breath, move with proper alignment and form, move with intention and fluidity.

How is Pilates different from other movement modalities that you have practiced?

Pilates has an essential purpose during the practice itself. Many other movement modalities are practiced with the result of the movement in mind. Pilates is practice for the sake of the practice. With yoga, it may be practiced so that you can meditate more comfortably or do a fancy handstand. With weight lifting, it’s typically the result of the physical appearance. With Pilates you practice so that you can look inward at how your body is feeling and moving today. What can you learn from your body at the very moment you’re practicing?

On a personal level, what are the biggest benefits that you have gained from regular Pilates practice?

Pilates brings me calmness, an opportunity to let everything go for whatever time I have to practice and focus solely on movement. It’s amazing what you can learn from your body if you just take the time to listen.

Who do you think can most benefit from Pilates?

I am a true beliber than anyone and everyone can benefit from Pilates. It will help you move stronger for longer every day.

Pilates can sometimes be expensive. Can you share with our readers your perspectives on why Pilates is worth its costs?

I think it’s all in how you look at expenses.

A couple examples: Is it as expensive as injuring yourself, having surgery, going through treatment post surgery and being out of work?

What is your health, feeling strong, feeling informed about your body (why don’t we learn more about our bodies and how to move correctly in school… I’ll refrain from that tangent)?

Pilates isn’t cheap but I think it’s also important to consider the education that is required of the instructors, and the environment in which you’re taught. Even with classes, it’s rare to have more than 12 people in a class. As small businesses owners we are taking on a lot of risk. And it’s simple math. Fitness classes that allow for 20- 30 clients in a room can charge less than a class that has 4- 12. Rent isn’t cheap, the equipment is really expensive and if the average client had insight into all the other business expenses a business owner takes on maybe the outlook would be different.

I think it’s also a product of our health care (or sick care) system. Our system prioritizes surgery and medications. Not movement, massage, acupuncture or any other type of prevention that allows for the body to heal itself. Imagine if our healthcare system gave us allowances for true prevention?

Based on your research or experience, can you please share your “5 Ways That Pilates Can Improve Your Health and Wellbeing”?

1. Body awareness. The first goal I have for my clients is to establish body awareness for themselves. Learn to feel what muscles are working and what muscles are stabilizing. I recently had a client who had fibroids removed from her abdomen. The surgery was a bit more complex than she was prepared for and took her a little longer to recover. When she returned for her first session she was able to feel empowered because she had the benefit of practicing Pilates prior to her surgery. Though she was sore and didn’t have the ability to tap into her core muscles the way she did before, she knew how to tap into muscles that could support her.
2. Breath. Moving with breath is essential. Breathing with a natural rhythm during the day is essential. If we can practice breathing while moving in the studio and we can improve our first goal of body awareness we can begin to influence our daily patterns and habits.
3. Mobility. Mobility is essential to comfortable movement. Having a balance, a symbiotic relationship within your joints is necessary to move in a way that doesn’t induce pain or discomfort, does not overly stress or strain the joint.
4. Strength. Before clients try Pilates, they don’t necessarily associate strength with Pilates. Pilates builds strong muscles that also have the ability to control movement. The key is using strength to control the movement. I had a client that held her breath a lot when she worked out. Her movements were fast and didn’t have a fluidity or a pattern to them. When we were able to slow the movement down and add breath to each movement she became so aware of her breath and controlling her movement that she recognized when she was working at her computer she was holding her breath and sitting in awkward positions. Not only did her workouts become more successful but she was more comfortable during the day. I found that so gratifying because she spends far more time working than with me so if what we are doing in the studio is able to positivity influence what she does for 40+ hours a week, I’ll call that a win!
5. Fluidity. Fluidity is the ultimate goal of Pilates. Allowing all the principles to work together so that movement, breath, alignment and control have a natural rhythm and relationship.

In my own Pilates practice, I stress the importance of precision in Pilates. Based on your experiences and research, what are your thoughts about why precision is important in Pilates?

I agree. At Niche, our first Core Value is “we believe in purposeful movement.” It’s shocking to me how often movement is taught incorrectly. I believe that all of it matters. Where your foot is, where your shoulder is, your gaze, your breath– all of it is vital. In my first kinesiology course in college we learned about the kinetic chain and it makes so much sense. If your left foot is externally rotated, your femur will be externally rotated, your pelvis is shifted, your spine shifts, therefore your ribcage shifts, your shoulders are likely to be misaligned and therefore your head it as well.

Your body is like building blocks. One can stack easily onto the next so long as the first block is well aligned.

If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)

What is the best way for our readers to continue to follow your work online?

@nichepilatesstudio IG

NicheFitStudio.com

This was very inspiring. Thank you so much for the time you spent on this. We wish you only continued success.

Thank you for having me! It was a pleasure.

About The Interviewer: Maria Angelova, MBA is a disruptor, author, motivational speaker, body-mind expert, Pilates teacher and founder and CEO of Rebellious Intl. As a disruptor, Maria is on a mission to change the face of the wellness industry by shifting the self-care mindset for consumers and providers alike. As a mind-body coach, Maria’s superpower is alignment which helps clients create a strong body and a calm mind so they can live a life of freedom, happiness and fulfillment. Prior to founding Rebellious Intl, Maria was a Finance Director and a professional with 17+ years of progressive corporate experience in the Telecommunications, Finance, and Insurance industries. Born in Bulgaria, Maria moved to the United States in 1992. She graduated summa cum laude from both Georgia State University (MBA, Finance) and the University of Georgia (BBA, Finance). Maria’s favorite job is being a mom. Maria enjoys learning, coaching, creating authentic connections, working out, Latin dancing, traveling, and spending time with her tribe. To contact Maria, email her at [email protected].

Source : https://medium.com/authority-magazine/jaclyn-forrester-of-niche-pilates-on-how-pilates-can-improve-your-health-and-wellbeing-589ee245f96d