Mari Minamide
Pilates Instructor
I have been teaching Pilates for about 8 years, practicing Pilates for 15 years. I began my Pilates practice after my hysterectomy. Pilates helped me reconnect to my abdominal muscles and regain my flexibility. A few years ago I discovered that I have stenosis and spondylolisthesis. The pain management doctor was surprised that I was not in more pain. He said to keep doing what I was doing to manage the pain. I told him that I am a Pilates instructor! I believe that Pilates is the secret to longevity, it is the fountain of youth.
I teach Pilates because I enjoy participating in the client’s journey to fitness through Pilates. Helping clients achieve their fitness goals, reduce the pain or tension in their bodies, to move properly and become more aware of their bodies and what it is capable of doing. It feels great when a client has an aha moment where they feel the connection in the body or when they can do an exercise that has been a challenge for them or when they just feel better at the end of class. Pilates is about the art of movement. Movement is essential to staying young, healthy and strong.
I received my comprehensive certification from Balance Body August 2015. (It took me a while to get up the courage to test out).
Prior to Pilates, I was immersed in the world of architecture. There are elements of architecture that apply to Pilates, such as balance and symmetry in design, balance, and counterbalance in construction. There are similarities between joints in the body and joints in construction.
When I’m not teaching or working in architecture, I enjoy binge-watching the shows I missed during the week, art and architecture, wire wrap jewelry and ornament making, Ukrainian egg decorating, sketching, running, swimming, Pilates, and all things Shiba Inu.