Stephanie Herrman
It was the summer of 2000 and Stephanie was preparing for the BIG day—her wedding. Looking for a way to slim down and feel better, she remembered an article about Pilates in Elle magazine that she had read about ten years earlier. Now was the perfect time to try it. Stephanie just knew Pilates would give her the long, lean physique she was looking for to show off at her wedding.
This life-changing event began Stephanie’s connection with classical Pilates, a love affair that is strong as ever.
Not able to afford private instruction, she started teaching herself the exercises through Brooke Siler’s book The Pilates Body. The positive changes and experiences in mind, spirit, and especially body motivated Stephanie to continue practicing. “As I taught myself the mat exercises from Brooke’s book, I fell in love with Pilates,” Stephanie enthuses. “I loved that I felt stronger right away and that I didn’t have to go to the gym.”
As Stephanie lost inches off her waist and hips, she noticed that her focus and concentration had increased. “Pilates is a mind, body, and spirit workout,” she tells us. “To truly achieve the benefits of the work, you need not attack the exercises, but tune in with your own body and tap into all the strength and potential it has.”
Furthering her knowledge and practice with her ballet instructor Ann Moynahan, Stephanie began substitute teaching. At this point her journey toward teaching professionally was set into motion.
Stephanie became a Power Pilates certified instructor in 2004. In 2005 there was another big day in Stephanie’s life: she opened In & Up Pilates in Silver Lake, and brought classical Pilates to the neighborhood.
In her growth as an instructor, Stephanie has developed and nurtured a great love for teaching, for facilitating awareness within each client, and developing an eye for clients’ individual needs. For her, one of the beautiful things about Pilates is that there’s always a deeper level to the work. “It’s never boring or not challenging,” she says.
And motivation is easy: “One of my teachers said ‘Our true salary is our clients’ success.’” She reveals. “I wholeheartedly agree!”
And by the way, she really did look fantastic at her wedding!
