Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Bonnie Cahoon. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Bonnie, thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.
As a Pilates Instructor and owner of Bonnie’s Pilates For Every Body, I must admit I did suffer from imposter syndrome. Many people come to Pilates as a way to rehabilitate after an injury. And yes, Pilates does absolutely help with this BUT I am not a physical therapist or doctor. Pilates teachers have been described as “elite fitness instructors” because of the amount of training it takes to become a Pilates instructor. When I was certified twenty years ago, there was only one way to get certified (now it’s a different story, but I won’t get into that) that involved hundreds upon hundreds of hours of observation, teaching, working out, practical tests, and written tests. We had to learn kinesiology and anatomy. We had to be certified on all the equipment (not just mat Pilates or reformer Pilates). But despite all this training and YEARS of experience I still got a little anxious when a client would ask me about their ailments or movement limitations. Then I began to notice that I actually had answers to their questions. I had advice (with the caveat that I am NOT a doctor or PT) that helped. I actually know what I’m doing. And if I’m not sure, I just say that. Then I go try to find an answer. But I’ve realized that all my training (and I continue to take classes to learn new things) and experience worked. I actually know what I’m doing!
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
This is my story:
I fell in love with Pilates in 1999. I met a trainer in an acting class and noticed how incredibly strong her calves looked. “I’m a Pilates trainer,” she explained. “Whaaat?” Never heard of it before. So I went on over to her studio, disenchanted with the local gym franchise where I could only hope the prior sweaty butt wiped down the stationary bike, and that I might not get hit on today. She threw me on what looked like a cross between a jacked-up hospital bed and an S & M apparatus, otherwise known as a Cadillac. I was hooked. It wasn’t so challenging that I was discouraged, and it wasn’t so easy that I wasn’t challenged. It was just right. After just one session I felt taller. I was standing straighter and muscles that had long slumbered were awakened.
Cut to 2003. I quit my job as a Writer/Producer for television promo and I found myself sitting on an exercise mat, with a notebook, learning anatomy, kinesiology and the secrets of classical Pilates, on my way to becoming a Pilates instructor myself. After nine months and hundreds and hundreds of hours of observation, student teaching, classes, written and practical tests, I was certified. I’ve had my own fully equipped studio ever since. I’ve also taught mat group classes at Glendale Yoga (don’t bother Googling, it’s not there anymore), Toluca Lake Body Works (not there either – I pilfered all their equipment when they closed) and Warner Brothers Studios gym (still there!).
During my adult life I’ve wanted to cry when I stood on the scale, and I have been accused of being too thin. I have been ripped, and I have jiggled when I brushed my teeth. There were days when I felt I was so strong I could easily do the most advanced “Adult Gymnastics” Pilates, and there were days when I could barley do a Level One roll-up.
I returned to the network television workforce for a time and sat at a computer all day. I let my Pilates practice slip a bit – ok a lot. I wondered why my back seemed to “go out” a lot. I was stiff. I was grumpy. My knees hurt. I jiggled.
Well, I am BACK. And even if I’m not as ripped, thin and young as I was, my love for Pilates is as strong as ever, and I want to pass the joy on. I want everyone, no matter what age, weight or fitness level to experience the absolute magic of Pilates. You will feel taller, stronger, stand up straighter, and if you’re like me, smile a lot more. Join me.
I have has been certified in the Pilates Method for twenty years, and am a third-generation Classical Pilates Instructor, My master teacher having been trained by Joseph Pilates’ protégé Romana Kryzanowska. I think that’s pretty special. Joseph Pilates opened up his own studio in New York in the 1920s. Pilates has been around for a hundred years! So, those of use who are second, third generation teachers are few and far between. Pilates has since evolved into a higher impact, higher reps, group based exercise. Some of Joseph’s basic principles are getting lost in translation. Not with me! I teach Classical Pilates.
I teach private one on one session at my fully equipped home studio (Bonnie’s Pilates For Every Body) and I teach online mat and gentle chair Pilates on zoom.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
The most impactful quality in my continuing journey is curiosity. I thirst for learning. Just keep learning. Nothing gets stale when you keep seeking out knowledge. Also, I think you must keep a sense of humor. You should be having fun! And finally, you must love the things you seek to do. I still love taking classes Pilates as much as I love teaching!
Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?
My ideal client is someone who “gets it” when it comes to Pilates. Some people prefer to zone out while exercising. They get on the treadmill and go. I totally understand and appreciate that type of exercise and love it when people move! But, Pilates is very “thinky.” It requires a mind/body connection. It requires coordination, flow, awareness. You must constantly listen to the instructor. Dancers are great clients. They are used to engaging their entire bodies. It’s never just “leg day” in Pilates. It’s a full-body day, every time. But you don’t have to be a dancer or gymnast to enjoy Pilates. I know very quickly if a client is going to enjoy what I do. I get a lot of smiling. I get a lot of, “Wow that feels amazing,” comments. I had a brand new a client, just yesterday say, “I should have started this twenty years ago.” She signed up for a package of 10 classes.
Oh, and it also helps if they get my humor. That’s icing on the cake.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bonniespilatesforeverybody.com/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@bonniespilates
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