We’re looking forward to introducing you to Deeppa Ravindran . Check out our conversation below.
Deeppa, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
One of my proudest moments was when two sisters who had been taking private mat sessions with me shared how much Pilates had changed their bodies and the way they moved. They told me they felt stronger, had better posture, and actually understood their bodies more.
What really meant a lot to me was that they noticed how I adapted each session to suit their needs — and that made them feel safe and encouraged. Hearing that kind of feedback reminded me why I love teaching Pilates — it’s not just about fitness, it’s about helping people feel more connected and confident in their own bodies
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Deeppa Ravindran, and I teach Pilates at Light Pilates Malaysia in Damansara Heights. My journey with Pilates began after I experienced a lower back injury. At the time, I was just trying to find a way to move without pain — but what I discovered was so much more than physical recovery. Pilates helped me reconnect with my body, rebuild my strength, and understand movement in a completely new way.
That experience changed the way I see teaching. At Light Pilates, I focus on mindful, intelligent movement — helping each person move better, feel stronger, and truly understand their own body. I pay close attention to how every client’s body responds, and I adapt each session to meet them where they are that day.
What makes my approach special is the combination of empathy and precision. I know what it’s like to feel limited by pain, so I teach with patience, care, and attention to detail. My goal is to create a space where people feel safe, supported, and encouraged to move with confidence. Right now, I’m expanding my private and small-group classes to help more people discover how transformative mindful movement can be — not just for the body, but for the mind as well
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
There was always a part of me that knew I would be a teacher. Even as a child, while most of my friends played with dolls, I would gather them and start ‘teaching’ Bharatanatyam, the classical Indian dance I grew up learning. Teaching came naturally — it felt like a way to connect, to share, and to help others express themselves. My friends and family often said I was born to teach, and over time, I began to believe it too.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me patience and humility — things success alone never could. When I injured my lower back, I was forced to slow down, listen, and accept that healing takes time. It was a difficult period, but it taught me to move with awareness rather than ambition.
Through that experience, I discovered that true progress isn’t about pushing harder, but about moving with intention and respect for your body. That lesson completely shaped the way I teach today — I encourage my clients to honour where they are, to find strength in gentleness, and to trust the process of consistent, mindful movement.
I often think of Joseph Pilates’ words: ‘In 10 sessions, you will feel the difference; in 20 sessions, you will see the difference; and in 30 sessions, you will have a whole new body.’ For me, that ‘new body’ isn’t just physical — it’s a new relationship with yourself. Suffering taught me that transformation begins when you slow down, listen, and move with purpose.”
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? How do you differentiate between fads and real foundational shifts?
After teaching over 1,500 hours and working with more than 4,000 people — many of whom return again and again — I’ve learned that Pilates is not just a workout, it’s a methodology. It’s a mindful practice that teaches awareness, control, and patience.
In a world that often looks for quick results, Pilates stands apart because it honours the process. Real healing takes time — whether it’s recovering from injury, improving posture, or simply learning to move with ease. Progress in Pilates doesn’t happen through force or intensity, but through consistent, intelligent movement that reconnects you with your body.
That’s how I tell the difference between a fad and a true foundational shift. Fads chase what’s new or flashy; foundational methods like Pilates transform you from the inside out. The changes may start small, but over time, they’re the ones that truly last — in your body, your confidence, and your way of being.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. When do you feel most at peace?
What gives me peace is seeing people move with ease — when their bodies start working for them instead of against them.
One of my clients, Gabby, once told me that after starting private sessions with me, her quality of life had completely changed. She’d struggled with postural issues and a weak core, which made her more prone to injuries. Over time, through consistent practice, she began to feel stronger, more stable, and more confident. She even joked that I’ve instilled discipline in her — and that after one session, her husband got hooked on Pilates too!
Moments like that bring me peace because they remind me of what Pilates really offers — not just strength or flexibility, but resilience. When you move with awareness, when you learn to listen to your body, you develop a quiet kind of confidence. You become unshakeable — not because life gets easier, but because you’ve built a calm, steady strength within yourself. That’s the kind of peace I carry, and it’s what I hope to pass on to everyone I teach
Contact Info:
- Website: https://light-pilates.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deeppar.pilates/?hl=en
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deeppa-ravindran-572743181/?originalSubdomain=my
Image Credits
Daniel Wenzel Theivendran
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
