Today we’d like to introduce you to Pia Moreno.
Hi Pia, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, let’s briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
My passion for Pilates started while attending college when I discovered mat Pilates. As a child in Chile, I did not grow up practicing sports or being involved in many fitness-related activities. I stayed active by playing outside with friends, but that was the extent of it. I only developed a little body awareness or awareness about my body’s potential. As an adult, I tried many activities but couldn’t connect or “stick” with anything until I came across Pilates. Throughout the class, I realized I already had so much to contribute to my health. I learned how to use my breath, I became aware of my body and how I was engaging my muscles.
In my late twenties, I also became aware of other body dysfunctions while I worked for Starbucks in a management role. I used Pilates to rehabilitate and reconnect to my pelvic floor and the rest of my body. Later, in 2012, I left my corporate job and pursued certification to become a Pilates instructor. In 2014, I achieved that goal. It was and remains essential to share what I’ve learned with others who may feel how I felt. I have become very in tune with how Pilates can give you the “physical” body you may desire while also healing the “inner” body– muscles and internal structures that play critical functions in supporting everything we do. I continue using what I learned through my rehabilitative journey and early experience to blend Pilates and rehabilitation work for clients.
Traditionally, Pilates has attracted a lot of women to the practice and continues to do so. In working with women, I realized how much traditional medicine and other traditional fields neglect pelvic floor health, especially pre and post-pregnancy and overall women’s health. I started incorporating pelvic floor work into routines and seeing incredible results regardless of gender. We all have a pelvic floor, and most of us are unaware of all the benefits of strengthening this area of our bodies.
This approach has allowed me to expand my practice and scope of clients to all body types, backgrounds, and goals. My mission in teaching Pilates is to increase the pelvic floor and body awareness in all communities and for others to realize its powerful connection to overall well-being. I believe understanding the pelvic floor’s function as an intricate part of the human body is essential to mind-body awareness.
I continue learning as much as I can to help my clients as much as possible. I am certified in Pilates apparatus and Scoliosis and Pilates for Neurological Conditions. I also have extensive experience working with Pelvic Floor Dysfunctions and pre-and post-natal populations. I genuinely care about the well-being of my clients and bring warmth and dedication to all my sessions. This creates a space for healing and restoration where my clients feel supported in reaching their highest health and fitness potential.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, has it been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I did things in a non-traditional way. I was in a career with great potential for upward mobility and stability. However, I was not passionate about my work, so I changed drastically and became a Pilates instructor. Making a change like that has a lot of challenges, and you need to be willing to start from scratch again. Then, I moved to Austin, which presented another situation in which I started from scratch again. In Austin, I decided to pursue my dream of having my studio and found a fantastic space in downtown Austin. However, I shared the space, so I had limited access and could only train clients at restricted times. I also opened my studio at the start of the pandemic in 2020. So, yes, there were a lot of challenges if you can imagine that situation. I’ve adapted any time a new challenge came up. I offered online services and did the most with my access to the space. Another challenging aspect of my journey has been that I need to fit the model of a traditional Pilates instructor in the United States. I am not a former dancer; I am from another country, and English is my second language. But, because I didn’t see someone that looked like me, I realized that it was vital for me to be in this space and create space for others. Representation does matter, and not having representation creates a gap for those who don’t feel seen. I’ve seen a growing familiarity with Pilates that did not exist before. This will likely draw people to instructors in the community who are thoughtful about their approach to the practice. Fortunately, after some time, my business grew, we transitioned back to the “normal”/previous rhythm of things, and I was able to change into the sole tenant of the space. I continue working on growing my business and would love to expand into a second location.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I teach Pilates with a focus on Pelvic Floor down and up training. I love to teach women how to connect to their bodies by breathing using their pelvic floor. I am most proud of providing a safe space for clients to be themselves and practice being present in their bodies.
So, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you before we go? How can they support you?
I invite our readers and others to support me by booking a session and sharing my work. Your support is invaluable in helping me reach more people. I’m also eager to collaborate more actively in the community, connecting with local organizations. I believe in giving back to communities that may not have the resources to book a class, and I’m open to exploring ways we can make this happen together.
Pricing:
- $120 for private session
- $65 for duets session per person
- Online sessions available as well
- corporate events
Contact Info:
- Website: www.pialates.com
- Instagram: pia_pialates
- Facebook: Pialates page
Image Credits
Picture taken by Sebastian Moreno. IG: Sebavillaphoto
