PAA Instructor in Focus:

Instructor in Focus: Victoria Becka

Studio(s) you work at: Pilates International Training Centre, Bodhimaya Pilates Centre, Mpower Pilates

Location: Sydney

Instructor training: PilatesITC

PAA level: Principal Trainer

Focus Questions:

1. What originally motivated you to try Pilates and then go on to train as an instructor?

My introduction to Pilates was through my ballet training at the age of 13. I was very serious about becoming a ballerina and a teacher of mine suggested I try it to support my dancing. On and off it was always then a constant in my life. I really noticed the difference in my dancing when I was doing my matwork regularly which fascinated me with how it ‘simply worked.’ I remember thinking how I’d like to teach people this incredible method that was making a difference to my life and what I wanted to achieve at that point.

2. What did you eat for breakfast? 

There’s this amazing smoothie called a Nutella Crunch at my local Health Food store. It is deliciously thick and decadent plus somehow manages to be nutritious at the same time.

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

       Intriguing

4. What’s the best thing about your job?

The people I get to meet who are from all walks of life and trust me with their bodies. It’s a very intimate relationship that is formed with a lot of trust involved too. I love the human connection and seeing people change and grow over time, not only their bodies but their minds and attitude to life and their health.

I also love the educating part of my job where I get to guide people as they move towards their goal of being an instructor. Their curiosity and eagerness to learn is wonderful.

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

Pilates Anytime for sure! That’s why it would mean so much to me to be able to also contribute to this online platform that they have created and supports a method I believe so strongly in.

6. The best advice you’ve ever had?

Just be you because everyone else is taken.

7. An indulgence you can’t live without?

I have two of those…Ice-cream and dark chocolate.

8. How long have you been a member of PAA and how did you hear about PAA?

When living in Australia I have always been a member of PAA. I have been back for 2.5 years so that is my most recent stint. I heard about PAA through my teacher, Sally Anderson.

9. Do you have a motto?

I heard this one recently and it resonates right now:

Be 50% Buddha and 50% Beyonce

10. What’s the most challenging aspect of your job?

We all have times in our lives where we go through ‘stuff’. Sometimes it’s hard to pull yourself together and be present for your clients. This is also the beauty of the job though as for that period your troubles can be forgotten as you are completely present with the people you are teaching.

11. How do you use PAA?

Knowledge, education and continuing to grow as a teacher are vital things so I use PAA for all the information they put out.

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

Joe Pilates of course! Doesn’t everyone say that? I would love to sit in the studio with him, observing as he worked with all those different people and developed his methodology.

12. What do you appreciate most about your body?

The fact that it works and how connected I am to it. The more people I am are exposed to, the more grateful I am for this.

13. The book you’re currently reading?

‘Collected Stories’ by Roald Dahl. This isn’t something I would naturally pick up but a friend gave it to me and I like to expand my horizons. It’s great as the stories are short and Roald Dahl’s writing always sparks the imagination.

Instructor in Focus: Kimi Broadbent

Studio(s) you work at: The Pilates Vibe

Location: Aspendale, VIC

Instructor training: Polestar Pilates Trained

PAA level: L2 Trainer (Applying for Principle Trainer soon…)

Focus Questions

1. What originally motivated you to try Pilates and then go on to train as an instructor?

As a 21 year old personal trainer, I was often told my “observant eye for detail” would be used well in Pilates instruction. My response was “Isn’t Pilates for old people?”… insert face palm here.

The moment I became enthralled with the method was when I moved to Melbourne and observed a PT/Pilates instructor take a client through a session. How she knew so much about biomechanics and all these interesting exercises and strange equipment was lost to me. I was hungry to learn so I enrolled in the Polestar course ASAP. The knowledge served me well as it helped rehabilitate my injuries and created a career path that I am so passionate about!

2. What did you eat for breakfast?

Breakfast is always a variation of poached eggs on GF toast (yep, I’m a coeliac from way back), smashed avo and sliced fresh tomato…it lasts me an hour and then I’m looking for second breakfast.

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

Challenging!

4. What’s the best thing about your job?

The absolute best thing…the reason I do this everyday…the thing that sometimes makes me tear up as I am so happy and then awkwardly high five the client…is when they report to me that they can move with ease and joy when they couldn’t before. This job enables me to facilitate life change in my clients and that is extraordinary.

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

Pilates Anytime has been my “go to” website for inspiration, education and activation for the last 7 years. I am so excited to have been placed in the top 10 for the Pilates Anytime Next Instructor competition 2018, and with the support of our Pilates community I’m hoping to be able to represent the PAA, Polestar Pilates and Australia on the website I have followed for so long! I’d love to bring passion, precision, creativity, biomechanical education and a bit of good old cheeky Aussie humour to the platform.

6. The best advice you’ve ever had?

“Even if you are terrified and your legs turn to mush…do it anyway”

7. An indulgence you can’t live without?

Puppy cuddles…and chocolate…

8. How long have you been a member of PAA and how did you hear about PAA?

Since Aug 1st 2012! Promoted during Polestar training course by our educators.

9. Do you have a motto?

“Follow your intuition”- We all have the answers within ourselves, its just whether we choose to doubt them, fear them or listen to them!

10. What’s the most challenging aspect of your job?

There are MANY challenges to being a relatively new business owner… teaching is the easy part! Sometimes just making a decision and standing by it can be extremely challenging.

11. How do you use PAA?

The online “Resources” section of the PAA website has been a great reference for hiring staff and starting up my own business. It also sets a fantastic expectation of professionalism for Pilates instruction in Australia and finally, we all know the PAA can put on an amazing biannual conference which I’m always excited for!

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

Well…who wouldn’t love to sit down and have a chat with Mr Pilates himself? I would love to pick his brain about Contrology and hear all about his ideas on health, human conditioning and life.

13. What do you appreciate most about your body?

The thing I appreciate most now is ironically the thing I hated most growing up, which is my height at 5’11″. My nickname is “Gadget” at basketball because these limbs just come out of nowhere. It is great for reaching up to change springs/ settings on the trapeze table. Not a worry.

14. The book you’re currently reading?

“Just Breathe- Mastering Breathwork” by Dan Brule