Meet the Instructor Monday — Shannon

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Shannon Ottoson teaches Pilates mat and equipment classes at Rivercity Pilates.

Twitter:    I recently joined Twitter and am working on learning to use it.   My handle is @sotto586.   Tweet me and I will figure out how to reply!

Where are you from?   I grew up in Des Moines with my 4 siblings and I moved to North Liberty in ’99, to work in Cedar Rapids as a mental health nurse.

Favorite food to prepare? I’m not a cook at all! My favorite thing to make myself is my daily Isagenix shake, really!!

Favorite sport or sports team?  I love baseball, I grew up with it, I understand the game, and it is played during the warm months! My favorite team is my son’s team. :)

Why did you choose to practice Pilates?  I started mat pilates in 2001, after my son was born. I had read an article about it and it sounded different. I was hooked after my first class!  The work is so subtle, so deep, and so evolving. It never gets old or easy, and it requires a presence of mind that I really enjoy.

Why did you become an instructor?  I fell in-love with how I felt physically and mentally after I started a regular Pilates practice, and I couldn’t stop talking about it! I felt it was something that has to be experienced, and I truly wanted everyone to feel as supple and as “inside” their bodies as I felt.

Is there something about you that would surprise the students that have attended your classes?  I doubt it, I’m pretty much an open book! I’m really struggling with this one, I’m pretty boring!

What is your favorite song/ group/ genre of music? I grew up on John Denver and love him! For listening I am loving Dave Matthews, and for working out I have been listening to current pop music and it’s like a guilty pleasure!

Pilates Instructor Myth Buster: You get to work out all day long!

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When I meet someone new and our conversation leads into what I do for a living I often get comments like, “Awesome- you get paid to workout all day!”.  When someone asks me how many hours I teach each week and I answer 30 to 40 I usually get a jaw dropping expression.  Not because they are impressed with my work ethic but because the average person thinks that means that I am working out and exercising 30 to 40 hours a week!  (Could you imagine??)  Today I would love to give you a little more insight into my profession as a Pilates instructor!IMG_7074

First let me tell you I absolutely, positively LOVE what I do!  Just ask my husband who often marvels at the fact that I will spend 8-10 hours at the studio and then come home and do some light reading about Pilates, anatomy or the body because I enjoy it:).  Someone said “If you find a job you love you’ll never work work a day in your life.”  In many ways I am a true believer of this because I find that I enjoy what I do so much that it doesn’t feel like “work”…..but at the same time when I’m talking to someone who might be considering a career in Pilates I want them to know that just because it’s fun doesn’t mean you won’t have to put the hours in to teach, prepare, continue learning and growing, etc.

The myth I want to talk about today is what I spend my time doing.  When I say I am teaching 30 to 40 hour a week that means I am scheduled with clients either privately or in a small group class for those 30-40 hours a week.  My client time is spent taking clients of all levels through a Pilates workout that is appropriate for their body.   Yes on occasion I show them an exercise to help teach it to them but for the most part I am not doing exercises and working out with my clients.

My job is to use various teaching methods to help them learn the Pilates method of exercise, keep them safe and keep them progressing toward their goals.  My teaching time is truly dedicated to my clients.  Teaching Pilates isn’t a job you can check out of when you’re not feeling like it. As an instructor you are giving your time, energy, and knowledge to your clients for the time you are with them.  This is something that I truly love but let me tell you that it can be intense some days.  I’ve learned over the years that I absolutely have to take time to recharge myself when I’m not working, otherwise it can be a challenge to bring everything to the table when I teach.

My teaching hours don’t include the time I spend prepping for sessions, writing in client charts after sessions and as a business owner the hours I spend trying to run a successful business(that’s a whole other blog!!).  And in case you are wondering I have to schedule time to workout just like everyone else!  Usually for me this is a early morning Pilates workout and a walk, run or bike ride somewhere in my day.

Want to learn more about exploring a career teaching Pilates?  I would love to talk and share with you more about our Pilates instructor training programs!

Carey
@careysadler

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Meet the Instructor Monday – Shara Power

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2014-03-22 14.53.07In today’s Meet the Instructor Monday, we’d like to introduce you to Shara Power, who began teaching yoga classes at Rivercity Pilates this summer.   If you haven’t tried one of Shara’s classes, I guarantee she will make you feel terrific, as she leads you in moves that will work every muscle in your body! We asked Shara some questions, and here are her answers!

Compare yoga to your full time job!!  During the day for my “real” job, I am an Informatics Specialist at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. This is a fancy way of saying I work with the hospital’s computer charting system. I was a Bone Marrow Transplant nurse for the first 7 years of my career and transitioned to the information technology side of health care in 2012. It was at this time that I started my first teacher training at Jane’s House of Yoga in St. Louis, Mo in the Dynamic Yoga Method. I learned a lot about change in that time frame and yoga was the grounding force that helped me deal with it. I use yoga everyday in my daily life, not just in the physical adjustment of my body but more so in how I deal with others, stress and challenging situations. Yoga has taught me to accept what I can not change and to be open to the exploration of new ideas and complex problems.

Favorite food to prepare?  I am not an incredible cook but I am learning! I try at every holiday to learn how to make a family recipe. My husband, Zach, and I like to share the wealth when it comes to cooking at home. We try to cook and clean up together whenever possible. It is great being able to spend time together by doing something so simple.

We heard you were a dancer, can you elaborate?  I started dancing when I was 4 years old and danced all the way through college. I have done just about every style of dance out there but jazz and lyrical were always my favorites. In fact, it was my love of movement that brought me to yoga after college. I have yet to try ballroom or belly dancing but hopefully I can get Zach to ballroom with me at some point in our lives!!

Why did you choose to practice Yoga?   As I mentioned, I was an avid dancer and have always had a need for movement in my life. I have never been a sports person or a runner so when I graduated from college and went from dancing 4-6 hours a day to nothing, I felt like there was a huge void in my life.  My Mom started practicing yoga in 2007 and encouraged me try it out. I started practicing in 2008 at The Studio on South Dubuque St in Iowa City. I remember being so sore for the first 2 months of practice!! But underneath all the sore muscles something was happening deep in my heart. I was falling in love with this practice! It was liberating, life affiriming and emotionally challenging all in one. I knew I was hooked from that moment on.

Why did you become an instructor?  I had been considering becoming a teacher for about a year but the turning point for me was when a teacher of mine asked me if I would be interested in teaching a class at the studio. I have been on the teaching journey ever since.

catsHow do you de-stress  outside of yoga?  Lots of time with my husband, Zach, and 2 cats, Bailey & Duncan. I also LOVE to travel and am gone as often as I can be.

What is your favorite song / favorite group?  My favorite artist since I was about 14 is Tori Amos. Don’t get to play her music much in class but I listen to it constantly and have seen her in concert about 6 times.

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Something that would surprise the students who have been in your classes so far?  I am a HUGE Harry Potter Fan. I have my own wand from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and have been sorted into the Ravenclaw House. Zach and I plan to go on a Harry Potter themed England vacation in the summer of 2016.

I’ve attended Shara’s classes, and her excitement and energy inspire all her students!   Try a yoga class with Shara soon — I am certain that you will be glad you did!   We are excited to welcome Shara to Rivercity Pilates!

Carey

Meet the Instructor Monday: Kimberly

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Kimberly and her buddy Ivey!

Kimberly and her buddy Ivey!

It’s Monday, and we’d like to introduce you to Kimberly Burke.   Kimberly is currently teaching Mat Small Group Sessions and Private Lessons.    Her calming voice and encouraging attitude during class gives everyone confidence.    Click the schedule button and sign up for one of Kimberly’s classes!

Where are you from?    I was born in Iowa City.   I’ve lived in Manhattan and in Glasgow, Scotland.   I’ve traveled to Egypt, Moldova and Turkey; still, I like it here.

How did you end up teaching Pilates in North Liberty?   When I first looked into taking Pilates I checked out a number of studios. With the exception of Rivercity, they were all yoga studios that just happened to teach a Pilates class too. The class sizes in these places were large, and when I asked about the teachers’ training, people got nervous. All of which made me nervous. THEN I found Rivercity, with its controlled class size, and uber-trained instructors, and gave it a try! Instant addiction!

The more I did, the better I felt, and the more I discovered about how my own body works. Eventually, I decided to take the Teacher Training for Mat — I wanted to deepen my understanding of the exercises. About two-thirds of the way through that, I decided I’d like to teach, and that I’d like to do the full line of courses, learning equipment additionally to mat. It can be difficult to accomplish everything, what with a full time job and a part time one going at the same time. But it is totally intriguing!

Favorite food to prepare?   I seldom have the opportunity to really cook anymore, but when I did I loved to bake bread. It was my weekend *thing* do to in winter. The smells, the textures — I found it soothing.

Hobbies?   Jack-of-all-Crafts, Master-of-None! I can do, or rather dabble in: crochet, tatting, knitting, beading, jewelry making, drawing, origami, cooking, reading, writing, and sewing.

Why did you choose to practice pilates?   I needed a workout. But I was raised to be paranoid about injury, and I am easily bored by physical routines. Prior to Pilates, the only exercise that had held my attention was martial arts. I had practiced Hatha Yoga for 3 years, and loved the feeling of it, but kept losing my focus, and couldn’t seem to advance. Pilates seemed very complimentary to yoga, but with a different dynamic. I can’t do Pilates on autopilot, and the attention to specific muscle areas and individualized adaption means that there is always something doable to focus on — always some area to see progress occur.

Is there something about you that would surprise the students that have attended your classes?  I once was pulled off a train in Moldova by a Russian-speaking soldier with a very big gun…

What is your favorite song / favorite group or favorite genre of music?   My musical tastes are a total hodge-podge! Chopin, Beatles, Journey, Beethoven, Near Eastern dance music, Beach Boys, Celtic, Musicals….bit of everything, so long as there is a melody line of some sort.

Social Media?  My twitter handle is @kimberlyriverc1.   I love following Mayo Clinic and other science sites to see how their research supports what we learn in Pilates!

Meet the Instructor Monday

It’s Meet the Instructor Monday, and today we would like to introduce you to Julie Jack.   We know that it’s important for you to be comfortable with your instructor during your workout so here’s your chance get to know Julie a little better!!

Julie has been teaching at Rivercity Pilates for just over a year.  She teaches Yoga, Barre, Cardio Funk as well as private sessions.    She also is a life coach and a Reiki master.   We asked Julie to answer a few questions so you could get to know her better!

Where are you from? DSCN0032
This is a tough question for me…  My short answer is I am a woman of the world!  The long answer is I moved to 7 states before entering high school and since college have lived in 2 countries and another state.  My extended family lives in the area so I have made Iowa my home base.  I always get blank stares when people ask me this question.  It’s just complicated!!

Tell us about your family.  
I have a dog named Asha.  She has taught me so much and is an inspiration for my healing work.  In fact, I named my blog after her.  You can follow us at Asha y Amor on Facebook and Instagram is coming soon.  Asha=Hope and Amor=Love.
Favorite Food?
Everything!!  I am a food lover and I will try anything.  In terms of preparation, less is more…Local, fresh and simply prepared food is the best!
What changes has Yoga brought to your life?  
I think that Yoga has made me stronger both physically and mentally.  Over time, through trying to live the principles of yoga, I have learned to trust myself more and look inward for peace and contentedness rather than to other people or external things to fill the void.

JulieWhy did you become an instructor?  
 To share my passion for movement with others. I also love helping people problem solve and overcome things in their own lives.   Yoga offers a path that works both internally and externally so it really covers both sides.  As a yoga and movement instructor I can use both the whimsical, playful part of me as well as the deep and thoughtful side and I love to share that with others.  Guiding others to move  with their own rhythm really feels like a place where I can put forth my strengths and help others at the same time.
I think that movement and teaching has always been in my soul but when I got my yoga certification back in 2005, I didn’t believe that I could make it a career.   A regular yoga practice has helped me to overcome that limiting belief that I should have a more traditional career to be successful.  Now I believe wholeheartedly that happiness = success.  Follow the heart!
Tell us something about you that we couldn’t learn when we were in your class!  
 hmm, I think something that defines me is that I like to get down and dirty with life… for the better or the worse.   Experience is my teacher so I often take the road less travelled (without even realizing it).  I have had grand adventures but have also found myself in the middle of the jungle without a compass a few times.

Julie & Asha

Julie & Asha

I also love to travel and learn about culture. Anthony Bourdain is my hero although he can be a bit of an arse at times.  I love love love dogs and have often thought about becoming a dog trainer, and I thrive on deep connections.  More than you wanna know, probably :)

I’d love to see you in a class or session soon, so I can learn more about you!