11/22/2022
Two years ago, when the world was in the midst of a
massive upheaval, Pilatesland was churning as well. The lack of diversity - in all ways, but particularly in regards to racial composition - has always been apparent to those of us in the minority.. but the murder of George Floyd and theresultant uprisings sparked something that many of us
hoped for, but never truly expected to see: change.
My dear friend Tonya Marie Amos told me and Tiza Wynn Riley, upon first meeting each other six years ago(which is a funny story - we'll make a video one day to share the chuckles) that she had a plan to expand the reach of Pilates into Black communities by growing the number of Black teachers, and I told her that once she got support for it, I'd be in. I meant every word, but I didn't ever believe it would happen.
I had no idea that Tonya's tenacity and sheer will would lead us to where we are today.
The Community Expansion Scholarship Program is a
product of dedication and commitment. We are driven by our students, and uplifted by their stories and their passion to be a part of the change. The video I've attached shows just a snippet of what the CESP is about, and also features the Joyful Movement Program, Tonya's non-profit initiative
that is changing the lives of some amazing humans who wouldn't have access to this transformative work if not for Tonya's vision.
We are grateful. To Balanced Body, Inc. for allowing
dreams to become reality. To Sylvia Byrd-Leitner, FabriceLamego, Melissa Francis, Pilates Barre & Jams, and every single person who has worked to make this program a success.
And thanks to Glen Krieger for toting the reformer around the yard for the shoot.
Pilates has been perceived as the domain of wealthy white women (and occasionally white men) since its inception. This led to very few professional Pilates e...
