Teacher Feature - Hilary
This months teacher feature is a special one! We’re always talking about how Pilates can change your life, but sometimes you need to hear a story like this to actually believe it. Our fabulous teacher Hilary trained at The Dance School of Scotland before moving to London to continue her studies in musical theatre at The Doreen Bird College of Performing Arts. As a performer Hilary toured all over the world, which led to her discovery of Pilates in Miami in 2000.
Hilary, what was it that sparked your interest in Pilates? - The reason I discovered Pilates was through a back injury I suffered whilst performing. I was a dancer. I studied at the Dance School of Scotland in conjunction with The Scottish Ballet. Then furthered my training in London studying musical theatre. On leaving college I got to travel the world performing in shows. In one of which I assisted a magician on a levitation illusion. Of course it’s all magic but unfortunately one evening there just wasn’t enough “magic” to prevent a malfunction and I was left dangling at 6 feet from my lower back! A long year of medical assessments followed trying to get me to just walk again. I was being rehabilitated by Gloria Estefan’s physio in Miami, my accident happened not long after her famous car crash. Finally I could walk far enough to get me in to the Pilates studio that the Miami City ballet use. A few months of reformer sessions with them and I was back on my feet and invited to attend class with the company.
I managed to return to my career and spent a further 10 years performing.
What do you love about your job? - Being able to teach Pilates and help everybody no matter the ailment or need is so fulfilling. I just love it when a client comes to class and says “thank you, I spent the weekend gardening and I feel no pain because of the strength/flexibility/ control I gained from your class” Pilates really does give you the freedom to do the things you want whether that be every day activities or specialist sports. It compliments any lifestyle.
What is your favourite Pilates exercise? - My favourite exercises are the ones that also allow you to have fun and laugh. I love to challenge coordination and get the mental sparks flying. If we can laugh at ourselves at the same time then that’s a bonus isn’t it?
How would your Mycore colleagues describe you? - I dread to think!!
What did you want to be when you grew up? - A ballet dancer
What is your life motto? - Go for it! There is no failure in trying.
If you had a superpower what would it be? - I wish I had some sort of metabolism super power!
Which celebrity would you choose to be stuck on a desert island with? - Dawn French & Ruby Wax. I mean there would surely be some crazy good laughs whilst we put the world to rights trying to fish or shimmy a tree for a coconut!
