Name: Lauren Worley Knauth
Position: Director, instructor
Location: Pilates in Motion
Favorite part of the job: “My favorite part is seeing people get more comfortable and really start getting in their body more. It’s that ‘aha’ moment when someone figures out a move, which in turn empowers them. Once you figure out something, and especially in your own body, you just have ownership of it and you go out feeling better. All my clients always go away feeling better.”
Least favorite part of the job: “Spending more time doing the business stuff than actually teaching the clients.” The business stuff, she said, includes paying bills, keeping the studio clean and organized, and dealing with the logistics of preparing for events such as an open house Saturday. “The reason a lot of people go into teaching Pilates is to have that contact [with clients],” she said, “so whenever you have to spend more time not doing that, it’s the most unpleasant part.”
Best advice: “I think the most important part of doing Pilates is getting into your skin, being comfortable with who you are. It’s not for the skinny and the young; every person can find benefit with it. I’ve done classes with 80-year-olds and they are getting benefit. They walk out feeling better and stronger, with their heads held high. I think people are scared to make that first step to doing it. A lot of times it’s not about the actual body, it’s about the mindset.”
Career: Becoming a Pilates instructor requires taking 450-600 hours of training. Because of the time required, Knauth urges anyone who might be interested to be passionate about both the work and the workplace. “Make sure the studio you’re in is the environment you want,” she said. “Pilates is not just a job. It’s a mindset. It’s a peaceful and very energetic place at the same time. There are lots of different ways to go about it.”
– Compiled by staff writer Holly Leber, hleber@timesfreepress.com