Hi, I'm Hillary—a Pilates teacher and derivatives trader. I first came to Pilates out of sheer curiosity, and later through a recommendation from a physical therapist. Since then, I’ve met many others who discovered Pilates the same way.

My physical therapist suggested I switch from yoga and CrossFit to Pilates and CrossFit. I hoped Pilates would offer the mind-body connection I had come to love through yoga—and fortunately, it did, especially through breath work and a focus on body alignment.

It wasn’t until a few years later, while living on Kauai, that I truly fell in love with Pilates. There, I met my instructor Kylie, who taught me not just how to do the exercises, but why I was doing them. She helped me make subtle adjustments in my body to improve each movement. It was a game-changer. I learned more from her in six short weeks than I had in the previous three years of private sessions. I became stronger and more flexible than I ever remembered feeling.

When I returned to Washington, I purchased a reformer, and Kylie and I happily continued our sessions online. It was during this time that Kylie suggested I consider becoming an instructor. Even if I didn’t end up teaching, she said, I could deepen my understanding by going through the training.

After researching several programs, I found Balanced Body and loved the way their courses were structured. I began with anatomy and movement principles, followed by mat work, reformer, and apparatus training. It took time to complete the program, but I made friends along the way and found a supportive community of like-minded people focused on health and movement.

In the meantime, I also became a certified Integrated Movement Specialist. I’ve gained so much—physically, mentally, and emotionally—since beginning my Pilates journey, and I hope to pass that on to anyone willing to give it a try.

Hope to see you in the studio!

“The acquirement and enjoyment of physical well-being, mental calm, and spiritual peace are priceless to their possessors if there be any such so fortunate living among us today.”
—Joseph Pilates

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