“I’m a functional fitness expert, but I like to say that I am a problem solver, I use Pilates to help people achieve their goals and solve their individual physical challenges.”
Deborah Boyd
Meet Deb.
What do you do?
I’m a functional fitness expert but I like to say that I’m really a problem solver. I use a practice called Pilates to help people achieve their goals or solve their individual physical challenges.
Pilates is for everyone, from elite athletes to those just looking to keep their bodies moving. Individuals of all fitness levels practice Pilates with me because they want to do something with their bodies, but they feel challenged in some way. Whether that be; a back that hurts, problems resulting from a poorly rehabbed injury, debilitating stiffness, poor range of motion, or the natural challenges that come with ageing. Pilates is fantastic for almost all limitations because it’s non-impact and builds incredible strength as well as flexibility in the entire body.
Pilates hones in on imbalances in the body that we may not even realize we have. It targets and works the intrinsic muscles that support our big muscles and actions. So many of my fittest clients are amazed at how challenging, beneficial and varied Pilates can be. Along with traditional mat Pilates, I also incorporate the use of the apparatus
(reformer, tower, wunda chair, spine corrector). The Pilates apparatus aids people in working with good form. It assists and supports people by allowing them to gain strength and flexibility while working in a supported way.
Why do you do what you do?
After suffering from chronic back and neck pain for years, due to a series of car accidents, I started taking Pilates lessons on the reformer. One day I noticed I was without constant pain and I was convinced of the power of Pilates. My teacher encouraged me to do my mat training and it was then that I discovered the science and philosophy behind this brilliant method. I studied the Classical repertoire and noticed my body begin to really change the more I practiced. I then studied the Classical method on the reformer and gained more strength and balance in my body in six months practicing the Joseph Pilates original method than I had in years of working out in the gym.
I love the fact that you can do Pilates for a lifetime and it never gets boring because it requires so much focus and attention to do the moves correctly and small tweaks to your form can have a big impact. I also love the fact that anyone can do it and everyone can get something out of it.
There are many ways to modify and build on the practice as you get stronger – you start at the beginning and keep practicing and improving.
Pilates also makes you feel great. Strong and flexible for life. You finish a workout feeling strong and long and better than when you began it - you are energized, not completely wiped out and sore for days.
I do this because I love feeling like I am making a difference in someones life – helping them overcome a “fitness” obstacle or challenge or just giving them a workout that makes them feel strong, healthy and good. I also love working with people one-on-one who might feel self conscious about taking a group class. I love empowering people and showing them what their bodies can do. I love helping them discover how beautiful and capable they are.
I truly love being a Pilates teacher. This is a second career for me and I honestly love it more each day. The more I learn and share what I know with others, the more passionately my belief in this system grows. I feel very lucky to be paid to do something I am so passionate about.
What drives you as a Pilates teacher?
I enjoy helping people. I get satisfaction when I see that what I’ve taught people has made a difference for them either in terms of flexibility, reduced pain, improvement in other areas of fitness, or just feeling better in their minds and bodies. I find it rewarding when I am able to help someone and when they are discovering a love for the method themselves. It makes me feel good to know that I am helping people have healthier, happier lives where they feel strong, flexible, capable and mobile.
What are your foundational beliefs?
I believe Pilates repairs dysfunction in the body. It strengthens all of the intrinsic muscles that we don’t use in most forms of exercise. Pilates puts you back together again after playing sports like soccer, tennis, hockey, etc – all these sports that we love but that beat up our bodies. It builds strength and flexibility in your whole body like no other form of exercise. It corrects imbalances and misalignments. It improves posture and range of motion. It truly is functional fitness.