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ENLARGE
Editor's note: Roxanna Cohen, owner of The Pilates Place, has lived in Nevada County for 12 years, relocating from Dayton, Ohio.
What is your job?
I am a physical therapist, PMA Certified Pilates Instructor, educator for Polestar Pilates and owner of The Pilates Place.
How did you get into this business?
I originally wanted to be a computer programmer because it was logical and the pay was good. It didn't take me long to figure out I needed to move my body or I would go crazy sitting at a desk.
Because I had a dance and yoga background, I started teaching aerobics back in the days of Jane Fonda's first workout. I worked my way up to running health clubs and training aerobic instructors.
Injuries led me to physical therapy as a patient, and when I realized they taught people exercises, I knew I wanted to be a physical therapists.
I was very disillusioned when I realized that most physical therapists were not that great at teaching exercise. They know what exercises to give, but getting someone to execute it properly is another story.
I had heard of Pilates and found a place when I lived in Los Angeles that combined Pilates and physical therapy. It was very logical, the correct exercises taught by people who had mastered the art of getting someone to move in ways that were biomechanically sound. I saw the gates of heaven!
What is your typical day like?
Busy — I typically teach one group class a day and see five to seven private clients. I have a nice mix of age groups, fitness levels and PT vs. nonPT (fitness) clients when I'm in the studio. I average 35 to 40 hours per week with clients and classes combined.
I also teach Pilates to the kids in the theatrical dance department at Nevada Union High School twice a week. It really breaks up the day and is fun.
I do the things that are required to run the business during lunch and after hours. I have a great office staff so that helps immensely.
There are always projects and yearly events that require extra time. As the years go on, we get it down to a science to save time. On weekends that I train instructors, it is 20 hours of teaching followed by grading homework and mentoring students.
What special education or preparation is required?
The education in the physical therapy world has evolved in the 20-plus years that I have been a PT. It is currently mandatory to have a master's degree, though those programs are phasing out and most PT programs are now doctorate degrees. These programs get you eligible to sit for your state exams
.
Historically in Pilates, you apprenticed for many years. Several years ago, the Pilates Method Alliance (PMA) was formed to set standards in the growing, unregulated fitness industry.
A Pilates instructor should be trained comprehensively, meaning they know all of the equipment as well as mat work, by a reputable organization that meets the requirements of the PMA (such as Polestar Pilates).
These programs typically take about a year. This allows them to sit for the national PMA test, which is akin to a PT going to school, and then taking their state exams.
As an Educator for Polestar Pilates, it is by invitation only. You are invited into the mentor program and must repeat your training a minimum of twice a year while assistant teaching and mentoring.
The head of Polestar is the only one who can grant educator status when he feels you are ready. I feel quite honored to have achieved this status.
What would surprise most people about your job?
How fun it is! Work is a pleasure, never a “job.”
What do you love about your work?
Making people happy. It is especially rewarding when people have revelations about how to be in their bodies and feel strong, fit and pain free.
I love seeing people feel empowered. I also love the relationships you build. People become family. Our bodies mirror our lives, so it is very intimate.
What do you find most challenging?
Finding enough hours in the day and being a good business owner. The movement and teaching come natural to me, I've only had employees for five years.
I've been teaching for 30 years and a PT for 20 years. It's very different to manage others and a business versus just yourself!
What future changes or issues are ahead for this field?
For physical therapists, the biggest issues in California are direct access (not having to see your doctor prior to the physical therapy) and insurance reimbursement.
California is one of only two states in the U.S. that do not have direct access. Direct access is key to keeping medical costs down.
For Pilates, the most exciting thing is how much Pilates is being integrated into traditional physical therapy practice. The medical/Pilates community is finally doing the research to back up the anecdotal raves of how efficient Pilates really is for rehab, as well as for fitness and prevention.
What is your job?
I am a physical therapist, PMA Certified Pilates Instructor, educator for Polestar Pilates and owner of The Pilates Place.
How did you get into this business?
I originally wanted to be a computer programmer because it was logical and the pay was good. It didn't take me long to figure out I needed to move my body or I would go crazy sitting at a desk.
Because I had a dance and yoga background, I started teaching aerobics back in the days of Jane Fonda's first workout. I worked my way up to running health clubs and training aerobic instructors.
Injuries led me to physical therapy as a patient, and when I realized they taught people exercises, I knew I wanted to be a physical therapists.
I was very disillusioned when I realized that most physical therapists were not that great at teaching exercise. They know what exercises to give, but getting someone to execute it properly is another story.
I had heard of Pilates and found a place when I lived in Los Angeles that combined Pilates and physical therapy. It was very logical, the correct exercises taught by people who had mastered the art of getting someone to move in ways that were biomechanically sound. I saw the gates of heaven!
What is your typical day like?
Busy — I typically teach one group class a day and see five to seven private clients. I have a nice mix of age groups, fitness levels and PT vs. nonPT (fitness) clients when I'm in the studio. I average 35 to 40 hours per week with clients and classes combined.
I also teach Pilates to the kids in the theatrical dance department at Nevada Union High School twice a week. It really breaks up the day and is fun.
I do the things that are required to run the business during lunch and after hours. I have a great office staff so that helps immensely.
There are always projects and yearly events that require extra time. As the years go on, we get it down to a science to save time. On weekends that I train instructors, it is 20 hours of teaching followed by grading homework and mentoring students.
What special education or preparation is required?
The education in the physical therapy world has evolved in the 20-plus years that I have been a PT. It is currently mandatory to have a master's degree, though those programs are phasing out and most PT programs are now doctorate degrees. These programs get you eligible to sit for your state exams
.
Historically in Pilates, you apprenticed for many years. Several years ago, the Pilates Method Alliance (PMA) was formed to set standards in the growing, unregulated fitness industry.
A Pilates instructor should be trained comprehensively, meaning they know all of the equipment as well as mat work, by a reputable organization that meets the requirements of the PMA (such as Polestar Pilates).
These programs typically take about a year. This allows them to sit for the national PMA test, which is akin to a PT going to school, and then taking their state exams.
As an Educator for Polestar Pilates, it is by invitation only. You are invited into the mentor program and must repeat your training a minimum of twice a year while assistant teaching and mentoring.
The head of Polestar is the only one who can grant educator status when he feels you are ready. I feel quite honored to have achieved this status.
What would surprise most people about your job?
How fun it is! Work is a pleasure, never a “job.”
What do you love about your work?
Making people happy. It is especially rewarding when people have revelations about how to be in their bodies and feel strong, fit and pain free.
I love seeing people feel empowered. I also love the relationships you build. People become family. Our bodies mirror our lives, so it is very intimate.
What do you find most challenging?
Finding enough hours in the day and being a good business owner. The movement and teaching come natural to me, I've only had employees for five years.
I've been teaching for 30 years and a PT for 20 years. It's very different to manage others and a business versus just yourself!
What future changes or issues are ahead for this field?
For physical therapists, the biggest issues in California are direct access (not having to see your doctor prior to the physical therapy) and insurance reimbursement.
California is one of only two states in the U.S. that do not have direct access. Direct access is key to keeping medical costs down.
For Pilates, the most exciting thing is how much Pilates is being integrated into traditional physical therapy practice. The medical/Pilates community is finally doing the research to back up the anecdotal raves of how efficient Pilates really is for rehab, as well as for fitness and prevention.
