Linda Dahmen learned to love Pilates over a decade ago, and that love shines through. Just meeting her, you see the warmth and care she brings into her practice and into teaching. Seeing her named Teacher of the Month this October, I just had to ask how she found this passion.

How did you first come to Pilates practice? What then compelled you to become a certified instructor?

I’ve been with studio for 10 years, as a client, trainee, and now teacher. I received my certification from our very first Teacher Certification Program in 2004-2005!

I discovered Pilates in 2002 at local health club.  I had always been interested in fitness and had participated in a variety of sports and group classes over the years. From my first mat class, I knew Pilates was different: I felt stronger, more flexible, more challenged by the body control required to do the exercises, and absolutely invigorated. I was hooked!

When Align Pilates (now Six Degrees) opened in 2003, it became my workout club of choice. And when they announced a training program, I immediately signed up for pre-certification program, to prepare my body (and mind) for the training program and to become proficient to perform at a Level III-IV.  No second thoughts: I knew the Teacher Training program was the right progression for me.

The program was a comprehensive 650 hours, covering the full classical Pilates repertoire of all levels on all apparatus, explaining the goal and benefits of each exercise and each piece of equipment, and teaching the skills to be safe and challenging teacher for all types of bodies.

I was thrilled when I completed my certification and was asked to join the studio’s staff in 2005.  It’s a pleasure to work with so many excellent instructors, continually learning about movement and having the opportunity to grow and develop my own voice. Pilates can teach you new things about your body every day.

What classes do you like to take, or what other fitness habits do you cherish?

Pilates Reformer is my favorite: I love the challenge and fun of the reformer. I try to take two or three Pilates classes (reformer or mat) a week, and I add in a yoga or barre class, too. The other classes show me how much I have gotten stronger and more connected since I’ve trained in Pilates. For me, Pilates ties everything together.

I’ve also added a daily shoulder strengthening routine to get back my range of movement and strength after dislocating and tearing several rotator cuff tendons in my right shoulder last December. My goal is to be able to do a Reformer V class again by the end of the year—and I’m getting close!

What are four tiny ways you incorporate “wellness” into your life every day?

Pilates has brought awareness to my posture and breathing and eliminated the stiffness and aches I used to have (mostly due to my day job as a Systems Software Specialist in Corporate America, where I’m desk-bound 7-8 hours a day).

Here are a few things I do that we all can do:

• Sit up tall when working. Support your back by lifting up from the lower back, so that you have a neutral spine when sitting. Your head should be balanced in a straight line on top of your hips, not jutting out in front.
• Breathe deeply daily. Take a moment each day to breathe deeply and slowly, it’s relaxing and energizing at the same time. Try to take a breath that fills up the lowest portion of your lungs and expands your ribcage—it actually stretches the back and releases muscle tension.
• Relax your shoulders and keep them down. It’s easy to unconsciously hunch at your desk or computer. Relax your shoulders and keep pulling the shoulder blades down and away from your ears. Doing so works wonders for your neck!
• Take “walk breaks.” Whenever I can the find the time during the day, I get up and walk. You can park farther away from work, take the stairs instead of the elevator, just do whatever you can do to add movement into your daily routine.
• Drink plenty of water:  We know it’s good for us.

What is most gratifying about your work?

I love working with people and watching their bodies progress over time, watching them accomplish exercises they didn’t think they could do.  The joy comes in watching their bodies change as they become stronger and more flexible, from the inside out.

I feel successful as a teacher when I see my clients getting as excited about Pilates as I am. Pilates keeps my spine healthy and pain free, and I hope to help others experience the same wonders by teaching them the same ways for discovering body awareness, eliminating pain, finding more “balance” in life, realizing their personal movement potential, and feeling refreshed. Plus, having fun!

My ultimate goal and reward is to bring out the BEST in my clients.