We were very pleased to welcome Lisa Jackson back to the Committee at the PAA Annual General Meeting on 26 August. After a break of a few years, Lisa rejoins as an Ordinary Committee member and will also be taking on the role of Education Chair as Chris Lavelle steps down at the end of her nine year term.
For those who haven’t yet had the privilege to meet Lisa, her full bio is available here: Lisa Jackson’s Bio
We’ve also taken the opportunity to get to know Lisa a bit better with the following questions.
How did you become involved in Pilates?
I moved from London to Los Angeles in 2001 when Pilates was increasing in popularity in the US, of course I had to try it and loved it from the word go! In 2002 I underwent major surgery for a malignant melanoma on my right arm and was amazed at how Pilates helped in my rehabilitation, I knew from then that I wanted to pursue studying to become a teacher.
In your opinion, what sets Pilates apart from other forms of exercise in terms of its health benefits?
I believe people should know and understand their bodies and Pilates offers such an amazing avenue for this – the beauty of being able to move successfully within your own limits is incredibly empowering and the Pilates repertoire and environment offers the perfect opportunity for this.
How do you approach integrating Pilates principles into everyday life beyond the studio?
I love to move and my partner and I love to rock climb, for me, understanding how to keep my body and mind balanced is key and always coming back to Pilates keeps my body strong and resilient to do the outdoor activities that we love.
The principles of Pilates not only relate to movement but also mindset, understanding how we operate and how we interact with others is key to building positive relationships both in the studio and outside the studio. Pilates has helped me engage with and understand how unique and different we all are and how wonderful that is!
Since moving to a regional climbing town I am very excited to be able to now share the benefits of Pilates with the climbing community – they are loving it!!
What challenges have you faced in your Pilates journey, and how did you overcome them?
I am a perfectionist and put a lot of pressure on myself, running a busy studio, presenting workshops and facilitating Pilates education courses over the years has had its stressful moments; I have learnt so much on that journey and have had to really take time to ask for help when needed and also to remind myself that I am doing the best I can and my efforts are greatly appreciated.
I have realised that the best moments in the journey are the ones you stop to appreciate, rather than chasing the next thing.
Latest developments in Pilates and health-related research?
As an avid learner and a passion for pelvic and hip health I am always following the most up to date in research from my mentor, Alison Grimaldi, as well as following as much bone health research as I can and one key thing that stands out is the importance of weight-bearing load both for bone health and hip health.
Are there any specific trends or innovations in the Pilates industry that you find particularly exciting or impactful?
I think where Pilates sits in the marketplace is very interesting at the moment with the increased popularity in group reformer classes. I think it’s wonderful that so many are following the benefits of Pilates but am also aware that there needs to be some type of regulation to maintain our profession and the quality and safety of these classes.
It is positive to see the awareness building around the importance of training levels and safety; I recently watched an ABC interview about accidents that were becoming more regular in larger classes and the importance of finding a professionally trained teacher and studio.
This is why it is so important to have a body like the PAA to ensure we are represented to not only protect our profession but also to keep people safe.
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