It’s often said that what cannot be said in words can be captured in images, but in this case neither would do when it came to expressing the complexities of movement. Movement is best experienced in movement itself and it is for this reason that Katharina Leitheiser made a film about her studio. With more than just her studio in mind, the idea was to explain and showcase what Pilates is as well as the way it is taught within the context of her aptly named studio, “Moving Pilates” in Köln, Germany.
If you’ve seen the film then you’ll agree she runs a tight ship. There is a certain energy you get from it with the music rhythmically ticking over in the background, combined with the pace and accuracy of the execution of exercises, it all gives the impression that things are happening in this little studio. There is a tone in Katharina’s voice that tells you she means business, motivating discipline with high expectations and quality teaching; she is both vivacious and personal in her approach. The construction side of the film must be credited to video artist Julia Franken, whose vision and editing cleverly supported Katharina’s point of view. And even if you’re not fluent in German, which by the way I’m not, you get a sense of the experience and a sneak peek of the atmosphere, not overtly glamorous, it gave a real depiction. And really what better way to demonstrate than by demonstrating?
For someone who understands the art of performance, Katharina is a dancer from the beginning; she spent time in New York after studying at the Netherlands dance academy and subsequently came across Pilates there.
She says of her first encounter, “From the first class I felt what Pilates did to my body and somehow I just knew that if I ever do anything else but dance, I would teach Pilates. I just fell in love with it.” And so the story goes. On return to Germany Katharina set up her own studio in part because she loves to be her own boss but also because it’s still not common for people to pursue Pilates as a career and there aren’t many studios big enough to support staff. She wanted to help change that.
To Katharina it’s most important to get her clients to feel how great movement is and how genius Pilates is. “I try to create body awareness in my clients so they understand that they have a wonderful, strong body that they can keep healthy and most of all, pain-free, for as long as they live with the help of Pilates exercise. I like to teach my clients to take responsibility for their own workouts, that it is possible to workout no matter what the situation in your life or the condition of your body at any given point. There are many other Sports you can do and there is always another new trend in the fitness industry, but only Pilates training covers everything you need.” And might I just add that she’s preaching to the choir…
You won’t be surprised to hear Katharina has big plans for the future, one of which is to gain greater recognition of her studio, and I’d just about say she’s successfully done that within the Pilates community at least. Also on the list is expansion, the employment of more teachers and to bring in professional athletes as clientele. This last one is not just for fun, as she would also like the work of Joseph Pilates to receive more acknowledgement within the world of professional sport.
Off to a cracker start with the film receiving such a positive response from clients, Pilates enthusiasts and colleagues alike, it appears to be just the beginning for “Moving Pilates”. While film is becoming increasingly important in advertising to connect the consumer at a more personal level, I suppose it’s not strange that we should start to see savvy small business owners like Katharina cottoning on to the trend and making us all look good in the process. Thanks Katharina, we owe you one.
Learn more about Katharina and see her excellent video at Moving Pilates.
These most beautiful of words were written by the lovely Jehane Lindley.