Meet the Instructor – Shelley O

Shelley with her magic circle

Where are you from, how did you end up in the corridor?
I have lived in North Liberty for 20 years! I moved here from Texas where I lived for 15 years, but I was born in Iowa and graduated from the University of Iowa. Don’t try to figure out my age from that info ;-)

What is your favorite food to prepare or eat?
My daily morning hot tea blended with coconut oil and vanilla collagen protein powder. I also like to prepare a wonderful big Thanksgiving meal!

What is your favorite sport to participate in or watch?    DO you have a favorite sports team?
Hawkeye Football is my favorite to watch. I like to watch volleyball too. I’m not much of a sports team participant, but I like to walk, bike, and swim. Bowling would be a fun sport I would like to start doing!

Why did you choose to practice Pilates?    When/Where do you start?  Why do you keep doing it?
I chose to regularly practice Pilates in 2012 at Rivercity Pilates in North Liberty because I was unfit and desired to get myself into a regular exercise routine that I knew I would stick with. I had only been to a few local gym Pilates classes, or tried to do videos at home, and I didn’t like either and thus didn’t stick with it. I knew I would and could do Pilates at Rivercity after my first few sessions and classes. I keep doing it because it has helped my physical and mental health. After having to miss almost a year in 2013 because of two loved ones having health emergencies, I realized how important regular Pilates was for my health. I feel lengthened, toned and stretched from head to toe after each Pilates session or class and even when I don’t feel like doing it I know I’ll feel great afterward and the time flies by. I can see and feel the progress I’m making. I have never been more motivated to continue doing a type of exercise until I started doing Pilates.

Why did you become a Pilates teacher?   Where did you complete the program, and what did you like about it?  
I became a Pilates teacher because I have found the type of exercise that I love and want to keep doing for as long as I can. It encourages me when I read and hear about some of the Pilates elders that taught into their 70s and beyond.  Carey encouraged me a lot despite any objection I could come up with ;-) like age, body size, you know…those negative things that swirl around in our heads when we’re contemplating doing something new and scary.

I have completed the Pilates Mat Training at Rivercity Pilates in North Liberty. I have been so encouraged by Carey and the other teachers and their example and model of professionalism mixed with a lot of knowledge and caring. I appreciate that I could spread it out over a year and work it into my life while learning so much more about Pilates and how to teach it and how incredibly healing it is to the human body and mind.  

Is there something about you that would surprise students in your classes?
I can play the harmonica, just kidding, I only know one song. I know Calligraphy and I’m a Certified Aromatherapist.

What is your favorite song / favorite artist / favorite genre of music?  
My favorite song was played at my wedding, “Stuck On You” by Lionel Richie. I like many genres; Classical, 70s and 80s Rock, Gospel, Country, and Bluegrass, (sometimes I sing harmony with my sister). I especially like music with a Celtic bluegrass sound like fiddler Natalie MacMaster from Canada.

What is your favorite Pilates exercise and why?  
I love the Tower equipment exercises because I always feel so stretched afterward. I also like Swan and Spine Twist, because I can do them well and they feel so good on my spine. And as Joseph Pilates said, “…if your spine is flexible at 60 you are young”!

Shelley is featured in this interview with Carey and Brea Love about the Teacher Training Program.