Hilary Opheim Pilates Studio

Halfway through October… and is it just me, or is the holiday season already waving at us? 👋

Here’s what I’m thinking…

We’re heading into that time of year when things are supposed to slow down, but somehow everything seems to go FAST. 😂

The holidays bring all the ups, downs, extra plans, full calendars, clients out for the holidays, and moments when you wonder where the week went!

So I’m making a little mental note to myself to pay attention to what energizes me, what challenges me, and most importantly, to keep having those conversations that give me both.

In the studio, outside the studio, with clients, students, friends, and the people who make me think a little differently.

Because that’s where so much of the good stuff happens.

After 30+ years of teaching, one thing I know is that we never stop learning, growing, or being challenged. And honestly, I wouldn’t want it any other way!

So as we head into the holidays, I’m reminding myself to stay curious, stay connected, and keep finding the things that light me up. (And maybe remember to breathe between it all!)

What about you? What keeps you energized as we head into the holiday season?

Let’s hear it! ❤️

Can we talk about “FIXING” people for a minute? 👀

I’ve been noticing it more and more in the Pilates social world. A client has a shoulder, hip, or something else that catches our attention, and immediately we jump to… How do I fix that?

This is something I talk about A LOT with my teacher training students.

YOU CAN’T FIX A CLIENT. ❤️

We aren’t doctors or surgeons. Our job isn’t to fix every shoulder, hip, or body that walks through the studio door. Our job is to TEACH.

So, instead of immediately jumping to the fix, let’s ask ourselves:

✨ What are they doing?
✨ What are they telling you?
✨ What changes when you give them space to listen to the spring and apparatus?

Sometimes we need to pause, observe, and let the client explore before we jump in with another correction.

Teaching isn’t about making every body move the same way. It’s about guiding the person in front of you along the path THEY are on, on the day THEY are on it.

Our job is to help them explore full-body movement and find the range available to THEIR body that day.

After more than 30 years of teaching, I can tell you that learning to SEE the person in front of you is far more valuable than collecting a list of fixes for every body part. 😉

So, fellow teachers, let’s shift the conversation from “How do I fix this?” to “What is this person showing me, and how can I help them move?”

That’s where the teaching begins. ❤️

Sunday Reflection 💃🏼 Sometimes A Girl Just Needs A Little Dance!

Oh, what a week! And not necessarily the kind I want to repeat anytime soon. 😂

After a week that was a little stressful for both Davita and me, I think we were both ready for a little something that had absolutely NOTHING to do with work, responsibilities, or figuring things out.

Enter… a night out in Downtown LA!

Our fellow teacher and choreographer Laurie invited us to see her show, and it turned out to be just what the two of us needed.

Meeting at Davita’s, driving together, chatting, laughing, and just having some good old-fashioned girl time. You know, the kind where you don’t have to be anything for anyone. Just be yourself, let the conversation wander, and enjoy being together.

And then sitting in the dark, watching the dancers, the lights, the movement, the whole energy of it all.

It was SO GOOD.

I came home feeling lighter, happier, and honestly, still a little giddy from the whole evening. Today I am carrying around some serious girl-power vibes, and I am not mad about it!

After all these years of teaching Pilates, I spend a lot of time thinking about movement, the body, how we move, why we move, and all the beautiful things that happen when we pay attention.

I think we forget that we need these moments. The spontaneous plans. The girlfriend time. The nights that remind us there is a whole lot of life happening outside our usual routines.

And maybe that is part of what I love so much about being in LA.

There is always something happening, someone creating, someone inviting you along for an adventure.

So today, I am feeling grateful for Davita, for friendship, for dance, and for a night that gave both of us a little room to just breathe.

A little reminder to myself (and maybe you, too): We don’t always have to be productive, purposeful, or working on something.

Sometimes we just need to put on our shoes, get in the car with a friend, and go have some FUN.

Happy Sunday, friends. ❤️

Now excuse me while I hold onto these girl-power vibes for as long as possible!