Many of my fans and readers will no doubt remember that I’ve written for Yoga Journal Magazine numerous times. As an avid yoga practitioner that is considering entering a teacher training program, it may come as a surprise to see me writing about Pilates.
Just because I adore yoga doesn’t mean that there aren’t many more mind/body fitness opportunities - along with yoga, I think Pilates is one of the best out there. When considering the possibility of moving to Philadelphia (I’ll be heading back to Connecticut on January 14th instead), I learned about Equilibrium Pilates. Run by Brie Adina Neff, a certified Pilates teacher with nearly 2 decades of experience, Equilibrium is the kind of small business I love drawing attention to.
Who better to ask about the pros and cons of Pilates than someone with so much talent? While chatting with Brie, we had the chance to discuss her background, the misconceptions of Pilates, the kind of clients she sees, how yoga and Pilates benefit each other, why Pilates is part of the environmental movement, and even more!
After conducting this interview and checking out the Equilibrium Pilates website, I am all the more excited to try Pilates. Seeing Brie doing what she does best on her studio’s Pilates equipment is all the inspiration I need!
Victoria Everman: How were you first introduced to Pilates? Was it love at first bend?
Brie Adina Neff: I was a dance major at Temple University working toward my BFA and struggling through an awkward transition from Classical Ballet training to Modern Dance. I stumbled upon this free “pilates” class that a graduate student was offering and decided to try it when I heard it could help me with my dancing.
I was instantly drawn to the sense of discipline I found in the class and thereby began my search for the best Pilates training available eventually ending up as pupil of world-renowned protegee of Joseph Pilates, Romana Kryzanowska, and securing a Teacher Trainer position (Level 3) within her highly regarded Teacher Training Program.
What makes Pilates an effective fitness routine?
The real practice of the system of exercises invented by Joseph H. Pilates was originally called “Contrology” which means “The Art of Control”. With the help of various apparatus, we guide people of all physical conditions (from professional athletes to very ill or weak individuals) through specially designed exercises to help them achieve control over their bodies. Every exercise that we teach has a strength element, a stretch element, and a concentration/coordination element.
As our clients progress, we can increase the tempo to add a cardiovascular element to the workout. This creates a complete exercise system that compliments any other physical practice the client may already be enjoying. In addition, because our clients learn exercises on a one-on-one basis, we can work with clients at any level, and progress them appropriately, while working around most pre-existing injuries or physical conditions.
Should Pilates be practiced in conjunction with yoga for a truly toned, balanced mind and body?
It is not necessary to practice yoga with Pilates to achieve all the incredible benefits of Pilates but if you love your yoga practice, you’ll be happy to know that you won’t have to give it up. In fact, you’ll be amazed at how complimentary Pilates is to yoga and how it can aid your practice by giving you even more strength and flexibility than you had before.
After training and teaching Pilates all over the world, what brought you back to start a studio in your hometown of Philadelphia?
First of all, I LOVE Philly. I’ve spent my whole life here and can’t imagine any other place in the world that I would want to live. Secondly, Philadelphia NEEDED a Pilates studio that honored the work of Joe and Clara Pilates. Especially as “Pilates” was gaining popularity and there was an awful lot of non-legitimate work appearing, there was a real need for a properly certified studio.
Besides, my clients were traveling ridiculously long commutes each week just to take a lesson with me because nothing else gave them such fabulous results. My schedule was beyond overbooked and opening a studio was the only clear solution.
Do you see people of all ages and backgrounds visiting your studio? Is there still a stigma that Pilates is for dancers or flexible people only?
We see people from all walks of life here at Equilibrium Pilates. From 14 year old dancers, to house moms, to high powered business executives, to 70 year young retirees, to players in the NFL. We have seen any number of physical conditions too including herniated disks, bad knees, breast cancer survivors, scoliosis, and even pregnancy.I have been working very hard to destroy the myth that Pilates is for women, dancers, and flexible people only.
The easiest way to dispel the myth: history! The system of Pilates was invented by a man, for men. In fact, when Joseph Pilates emigrated to The United States, he came here to train champion boxers and other serious athletes in NY. The dance community discovered him and they loved how his work helped them build much needed strength that helped them in their careers. At my studio, I have a number of big strong guys that adore the physical challenge Pilates has to offer. And they know from the very first lesson that we do a lot more than just stretch!
Can the principles and practice of Pilates be tied to the environmental movement?
Absolutely! The only energy needed for a Pilates workout comes from the body of the practitioner. You don’t need electricity, batteries, or even fancy shoes to do Pilates. I give all my clients mat work that they can do in the comfort of their own homes and they don’t even need to buy a mat! Even our equipment is environmentally friendly; we don’t use any electricity to power our apparatus’. Just good old fashioned sweat!
02/12/2008 at 7:52 am Permalink
wow… this place looks amazing! i lived in philly for years - and this is a great addition to the city. well done!