From Curiosity to Passion: How Pilates Found Me
- Yogaiseverywhere
- Apr 3
- 4 min read
Long ago, when Pilates had the reputation of being slow and boring, a friend of mine attended a Pilates certification course. She was the one who introduced me to a specific teacher—Tzeela Tamir—who, in her words, was amazing, knowledgeable, and unique. Intrigued by her enthusiasm, I attended an introductory meeting at the studio and decided to enroll in the course. At the time (2010), I had never practiced Pilates, but the course curriculum sounded fascinating. It covered everything from nutrition and anatomy to precision in movement and working with injuries and pregnant women.
For nine months, I immersed myself in learning, and it was during this time that I fell in love with anatomy and kinesiology on an intellectual level. This passion has stayed with me ever since. The course was led by three incredible women, two of whom had studied directly with three of Joseph Pilates’ original students. They were older, highly professional, and moved with such grace and expertise that it was mesmerizing to watch.
After completing the course, I continued to practice Pilates occasionally, though yoga remained my primary self-practice. When I later attended my yoga teacher training, I was eager to start teaching. Around that time, a colleague at the bar where I worked asked if I could teach him Pilates. He had never exercised before, and working with him in private sessions was a new and eye-opening experience. Each week, he felt better, and witnessing the profound effects of simple yet effective movements left a deep impression on me. To this day, he still calls me his Pilates teacher, even though we haven’t had a session in years. Those lessons were a turning point, helping me realize—though I didn’t fully understand it then—that I wanted to help people feel better in their bodies.
During my training, I also met my future yoga therapy teacher, Dr. Gil Solberg, who became a major inspiration for me. He encouraged me to think outside the box and study kinesiology and physiology in depth. He ignited my passion for observing movement patterns, analyzing the way people move, and understanding how to help them improve.
However, after leaving Israel, I also left my only Pilates student behind. I continued practicing and teaching yoga, but at the time (2012), Pilates was not widely known in the places I lived, so it remained in the back of my mind for several years.
My big return to Pilates happened under unexpected circumstances. In 2019, due to bureaucratic issues, I had to leave Europe for three months in order to return to Switzerland. This happened just three days after my wedding, and being separated from my husband so soon after getting married was devastating. I felt lost and displaced. It was then that the same friend who had introduced me to Pilates years earlier recommended another teacher—Yarden Raz. I took one of her classes, and it was instant love. Her style was dynamic, precise, challenging, and fun. We connected immediately, and for three months, I attended her classes regularly.
When I returned to Switzerland, the pandemic hit, and I was grateful to be able to continue practicing with Yarden online. Through her, I also discovered her teacher, Teri Steele, who inspired me deeply. Studying with both of them rekindled my passion for Pilates, and I knew it was time to integrate it fully into my teaching and practice.
When I started teaching in Switzerland, Pilates was still not a well-known practice. At the University of St. Gallen, where I first introduced my classes, the young crowd was hesitant. Many of them associated Pilates with something slow and outdated, but I knew that if I could adapt my style to their rhythm, it would click. And it did.
My dynamic approach, blending precision with energy, started resonating with students. Little by little, the classes grew, but nothing could have prepared me for what happened in 2023. Almost overnight, my sessions exploded in popularity. Suddenly, I had 50 students in a single class! Curious about this sudden boom, I asked my students what had changed. Their answer? Social media. Celebrities on TikTok had started sharing their love for Pilates, and it had become a massive trend.
Riding this wave, I expanded my classes to two more studios, slowly building a dedicated community of enthusiastic students. Watching them grow stronger, more confident, and more connected to their bodies has been incredibly fulfilling. Every session reminds me why I fell in love with teaching in the first place—helping people move better and feel better.
At the same time, my passion for sharing Pilates beyond the studio also grew. I started creating YouTube videos so that anyone, anywhere, could practice with me at home. Filming and sharing my knowledge online has opened up an entirely new dimension of teaching—one where I can connect with people worldwide and help them develop strength and control at their own pace.
Looking back, I realize that my journey with Pilates has always been about evolution. From that first introduction in 2010 to rediscovering my passion in 2019, to now growing a thriving Pilates community, it’s been a path full of learning, growth, and transformation. And the best part? I know this is just the beginning.
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