Becky Phares, PMA®-CPT is a Polestar Pilates Graduate and a candidate for the Next Pilates Anytime Teacher 2018. With more than 10 years of teaching Becky teaches at her studio The Body Initiative Pilates Studio in Lafayette, Louisiana. Find Becky on instagram @the_body_initiative
Polestar: What do you love about teaching?
BP: First of all, I love that I do not have to sit behind a desk to make a living. I love that I have a job that makes people healthy and happy. But most of all, I love that I can wear stretchy pants to work!
Polestar: What is your current inspiration?
BP: I am currently getting inspiration from my husband. When we were first married 15 years ago he started working at a bank as a teller. Now he is one of the most successful commercial lenders in our city. He is proof that if you work hard enough and care about your clients, you can achieve greatness. Being a brand new studio owner, I hope to have the same drive and compassion he does.
Polestar: Why Pilates?
BP: I have the toolbox to work with almost any population because of Pilates. I do not know any other fitness modalities that have the value, history or love that Pilates has.
Polestar: What do you hope to convey in your teaching?
BP: Come as you are. Pilates helps ALL.
Polestar: Where do you hope to vacation?
BP: Machu Picchu. My dad was in the oil field and traveled the whole world. He was the first one to tell me how amazing the ruins are. So it’s my dream vacation. But for now, with our three young daughters, our family is Disney obsessed! It’s also where I met my husband.
Polestar: Describe your movement style:
BP: I am a dancer who refuses to use the word “former.” My love is contemporary dance. Contemporary is based on free and creative movement but firmly rooted in technical elements. That is how I teach Pilates. My classes have a thread that helps my clients achieve the most out of their time with me, but that doesn’t mean we can’t play, be creative and have fun.
Polestar: What is your favorite apparatus?
BP: Reformer. I love how you can simply change the spring setting and it makes an exercise immediately harder for one part of the body and easier for another. It is a genius piece that can be used in infinite ways.
Polestar: What are you reading?
BP: I love fiction. Because I’m so busy at work, then in the evening with my kids, I need to wind down. Reading about fake people’s lives turns off my brain so I can actually sleep. I love anything by Liane Moriarty, Jodi Picoult, Justin Cronin, John Grisham, Gillian Flynn and Karin Slaughter.
Polestar: Who is your mentor?
BP: Kim Gibilisco. A few years ago I took a session with Kim at the PMA and was blown away by her brain and the ability she had to make us understand what was happening in her class. Then I did some research on her and found out she was the essence of what I wanted to do with my career. I sought her out through social media hoping I can maybe get her to talk to me for 30 min. Now I call, text, or email her anytime I need advice. She has gifted me her mentorship and I’m still unsure how I got this lucky.
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