MICKI HAVARD

When I started my Pilates practice more than 20 years ago (in preparation for my wedding), I never thought I’d be still practicing today, not to mention teaching. I started my training in 1998 in a small studio owned by a Black woman. She was the first Black person I had seen practicing or teaching Pilates in the two years of my practice. When I began teaching, I heard the same message from many of my students of color. And unfortunately, this became a recurring theme during my teacher trainings, continuing education, and personal practice.

The first couple years of my teaching, I taught in a couple small studios (including the Black-owned studio where I began my training). I realized how underrepresented WOC (women of color) were in the industry. Once my Black teacher trainer closed her studio, I had a hard time finding a studio where I felt welcomed and where there were students of color in attendance.

In my third year as an instructor, I made the decision to leave the boutique studios and taught exclusively at my local YMCA. Most of my coworkers had a hard time understanding why I’d leave the boutique studios for the Y. I heard things like: “You know you’ll be paid pennies” and “You won’t have access to quality students.”

At the Y, my classes were filled with diverse people. There were many different races, ages, and fitness levels. Most of my students were new to Pilates and many of them had never heard of Pilates. My teaching style was forever changed. In addition to my verbal cues, I was on the mat demonstrating every move and making modifications for most moves to accommodate a large variety of fitness levels. I can honestly say I enjoyed teaching every single class at the Y. I went on to teach at the YMCA for 10 years, and toward the end, I taught a “seniors only” class. That senior Pilates class was easily the most rewarding class I’ve ever taught. I learned so much more than I taught my students.

After leaving the Y, I began holding Pilates 101 workshops—designed to expose WOC to Pilates and to provide a non-intimidating and welcoming environment. I continue this kind of atmosphere in all the Pilates classes I teach.