A few words from Charlotte: 

Why Pilates ?

    I went to New York City at the age of 19 to find fame as a dancer.  Pilates was a natural choice for a young dancer at that time and I learned the method during that time.  Several years later I began raising a son and concentrated on a family life.  I rediscovered pilates quite some time later after establishing myself as a personal trainer and introduced clients to pilates. 

    Pilates just makes good sense for the body we live within.  Our bodies are designed to move and we must move for good health.  Pilates is movement with no impact and so it is gentle on joints.  The focus on correct alignment and breath clears your head and makes you feel better immediately.  The first thing people tell me is that they are very quickly aware of their posture.  After awareness comes the opportunity to make changes.  The method is easy enough to start as an exercise "newbie", gentle enough to be done often, and challenging enough to make discoveries about your body.  Pilates is for every body.

Why the PhysicalMind Institute ?

    Any complex system must be able to come back to simple elements.  The "Fundamentals" are, for me, that framework.  They unify the method and build the exercises into a system of similar concepts.  Each exercise has an essence.  If not for that unity the number of exercises, variations, and pieces of equipment would seem overwhelming and disjointed. 

    I want to be a teacher who looks at the individual and is aware of (and able) to modify an exercise that the client will benefit from and feel successful doing.  Teaching is an art that combines communication, knowledge and a willingness to be a good coach.  The PhysicalMind Institute encourages teachers to "think out of the box" and led to the kind of teacher that I want to be.

    I do love pilates and respect the development of the system.  The PhysicelMind Institute is solidly founded in classical pilates but has consistently refused to become stagnent and mindlessly attached to the past.  I honestly think Pilates himself would have approved of the updates and changes throughout the years.  Joe never patented or copywrighted any of his work and was constantly looking for fresh input to energize his work.  He would have applauded the Fundamentals and been proud of the newly developed Evolution 101 with Tye4 that helps students and clients feel the essence of the pilates exercises.