Instructor in Focus – May 2018

Instructor in Focus: Mana Ogawa

Studio(s) you work at: Movement Principle (Brisbane)

Location: CBD & Paddington (Brisbane)

Instructor training and level: Diploma of Professional Pilates Instruction (PilatesITC)

Focus Questions

1. In one word, describe your first Pilates experience?

Calming.

2. What did you eat for breakfast?

Today I had mixed fruits with nuts, but I often have a Japanese breakfast consisting of rice, fish and vegetable.
Sometimes when I have time I’ll make myself a Japanese sweet breakfast consisting of rice balls, Azuki beans & Kinako (Soybean) powder with honey.

3. Share either the best or most challenging thing about your job?

The best thing about my job is seeing my clients week after week with little improvements. I love being able to help others working towards living a pain-free lifestyle.

4. Your ‘go to’ website for all things Pilates (other than PAA)?

Pilates Anytime for sure! They have amazing videos and the instructors are all very inspiring.

5. How did you get hooked on Pilates?

I first started Pilates when I started thinking of doing Classical Ballet as a profession. At first I only went because my teacher had told me to go, however after a few months I found that it really helped with my ballet and had this sort of calmness to it (which I often felt hard to find as my brain is so active). Since that day I have incorporated Pilates every day, even if it’s just 5 mins of Pilates Breathing!

6. The best advice you’ve ever had?

To BREATHE.

7. An indulgence you can’t live without?

Dark chocolate! I’m a big fan of 90% dark chocolate. The Noosa Chocolate factory does a delicious dark chocolate range which I definitely recommend.

8. How long have you been a member of PAA?

Since this year 🙂

9. Do you have a motto?

Be humble, be teachable & always keep learning.

10. Who is your Pilates idol or would love to meet, and why?

I actually don’t have anyone in specific as I am always inspired by other Pilates instructors!

However before moving to Brisbane, I was very fortunate to teach at Pilates Int in Sydney (now Movement Collective) & I loved going to the staff workouts every month as it would be held by Sally Anderson.

She is such an amazing woman and so inspiring in the way that she teaches. Those staff workouts every month was very special and valuable and I miss them very much.

11. What do you appreciate most about your body?

I’m not sure if I would say appreciate is the right word, but after having had many injuries in the past whilst dancing professionally I have learnt a lot about my body. Your body is your instrument and it is so important to take care of it, whether dancer or not.

12. What book are you reading right now?

I am reading the book of Sports Rehabilitation, An Issue of Clinics in Sports Medicine as I have a big interest in Pilates for rehabilitation. As a lot of my close friends are dancers and my partner being a ballet dancer, I hope I can help him during his career to prevent injuries and for rehabilitation if needed.

I have only read one chapter so I still have a bit to go, but I am definitely enjoying reading this book.

Kindest,
Mana

 

Credit: photos from Movement Collective, photographer Maree Turk.