A few people have asked me about my chosen online membership platform, so I figured I would write about it.

Have you ever had a client complain that their butt hurts? That they’re getting a pain deep in the “thutt“ (the area where their butt meets the back of the thigh)?

This month’s BGPI’s blog post comes from the creator of the MickiPhit brand and author of “Pilates for Everybody”, an inclusive and accessible book for all.

"Sometimes you find your purpose and community in the darkest of valleys."

Self-care is essential for a well balanced life. The words ‘Self-care’ have been trending recently, especially during this global pandemic. But, do we really understand what it means? Is it universal or individual? Is there a right or wrong way to do it?

We learn to BE by observation as young ones. As human beings we are perpetually in the state of flux as we grow. Somehow there is a value that shapes us that seems to get lost when we become “ADULTS”: PLAY.

Three of my favorite essential oils for their multifunctional abilities in addressing the above conditions are Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile), Bergamot (Citrus bergamia) and Cedarwood (Cedrus deodara). Each have strong therapeutic properties that make them a must to have on hand and don’t require anything else to be effective.

Reflecting back on 2021’s BGPI conference, besides paying homage to Pilates elder Kathy Grant, the four days flowed with interwoven elements throughout.

Whatever it is, as we read about the Cicely Tysons’, Misty Copelands’ and Tina Turners’ let us not forget the Black Royalty that is right in our midst.

Silence, such a cunning companion. Necessary, and sometimes comforting. It makes space for your sorrows, your joys, and your healing. Silence will encapsulate you. It latches to you like a scarf around your neck in high winds. Molding to your form of stillness until its vast hollowness consumes your screams.

It’s easy to talk just about Kathleen Stanford Grant during Black history month however there is so much more history going on that needs to be acknowledged in the Pilates community.

Sharing my truths was exhausting but I did it for one reason. I will no longer package myself for an industry that refuses to see me. They called wanting to know what they did not know. So, I told them. I couldn’t refuse the opportunity to make them listen.

Nine times out of ten when I meet someone new and if my Jamaican heritage comes up - I wait for it - the puzzled look, a little tilt of the head and I can literally see their brains like a clock, winding up and starting to tick. Next comes, “but you’re so white?...” and then they’re even more puzzled when I tell them both of my parents are from that Island.

When Sonja asked me to write something for Pride month, I was like sure. Then I was like, "what the hell do I write about? I’m a solo-polyamorous Black Queer Femme who is currently not getting laid because my lover lives on the East Coast and COVID-19 is fucking up my game.

With more people choosing to return to Pilates Studios for classes, can you keep yourself and clients safe during the developing coronavirus situation? The answer is, YES!

Even after Sonja (Founder of Black Girl Pilates) started BGPI, she was still concerned about the under-representation of Black Men teaching Pilates. The most recognized were well know brothers like Chris Robinson, Brett Howard and Jean-Claude Nelson. She also knew a few personally but was that truly all there was out there teaching?

We are almost 400 strong all over the world with a sister Facebook group of Black womxn who are students or potential students (400+). The momentum these sisters have created in the Pilates method is indescribable and I don't see us stopping anytime soon.