Hoi An Pilates

In the years following, I continued on my fitness journey by adding in booty-kicking Pilates Reformer classes, TRX, kettle bells, dance and more, and I felt that focusing on my body was a great counter and distraction to the daily damage being caused by my hours sitting behind a computer; tight hip flexors, rolled in shoulders, and carpal tunnel, oh my! Like many office workers, my professional life became too much of a focus, and international work trips stretched out to up to 7 weeks at a time. As a result, my stress my fitness suffered, and so did my back. My physical and mental capacity to commit to what my body was desperately craving, and at times screaming for, ebbed and flowed over the peak of my career. I knew that in order to not have painful flare-ups, I needed to constantly commit my energy to my health.

In 2017 it was time to commit the time and effort to myself, dive deeper into the practices and fulfill my dream of officially helping others on their own journey. I had coached and encouraged lots of friends and young girls over the years, especially with running, but nothing was ever formal; that was about to change. I received my first certification for Pop Pilates, followed by Mat Pilates, and then attended a yoga retreat in India to round out my year. Living on a Ayurvedic farm in Tamil Nadu for a few weeks turned the tide on my relationship to the ancient practice of Yoga, and set me up for the ultimate adventure soon to come.

Needing a complete lifestyle change, my husband and I quit our corporate jobs in the high-tech city of Seattle, sold and donated almost everything we owned for the second time in our marriage (except the old hound Grace), and set out in our car in early 2018 for a world tour. Many months, heartaches, and joyful moments later, and after completing a dedicated month of healing through Yoga asana and meditation at the infamous Yoga Barn in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia, Mama India was calling to me again.

It is said that “Rishikesh chooses you.” After a year of exploring, my heart was open and listening, and in early 2019 I found myself on a plane by myself headed to a 7-week intensive Ashtanga and Hatha Yoga Teacher Training in Northern India. I wasn’t going to dabble in a 3-week 200 hour training, I was going all in for the full 500 hours, and the rest they say, is history.

I have been so fortunate to have had a series of fantastic teachers and coaches who have taught me the importance of and skills for safe, functional, holistic training. I find that I am the healthiest and happiest when I combine Yoga and Pilates, along with whatever cardio and strength training I am into at the moment, into my weekly routine. Pilates and Yoga have became a fantastic foundation to other athletic endeavors, like running a full marathon, a series of trail runs, about 20 half marathons, and a few relay races including the 200-mile (323K) Northwest Passage Ragnar. I am currently training for my first triathlon here in Viet Nam in May 2020, and Yoga and Pilates are playing a major role in getting me across that finish line... with a smile on my face.

The long-term travel chapter is now complete and I am now living in beautiful Hoi An, Viet Nam, thrilled to be sharing my experiences with residents and travelers. The crazy journey we call life may take us all over the world, but we only have one precious body, and only we can do the necessary work to care for it as best as we can. We will inevitably fall off the wagon, but the important thing is that we get back on. Self-awareness, silencing our inner critic, and fostering an intention to live our best lives is a powerful motivator.

My mission is to share my experience to help you find your flow and foster a life-long practice of conscious breath and mindful movement through through Pilates and Yoga. I have personally experienced the power that both practices can have on my body, mind, and spirit, and I am excited to share what I have learned with you.

I currently offer Private Sessions and Group Classes in Vinyasa, Hatha, Pranayama (Breath work), Relaxation, Meditation, and Mat Pilates. Please contact me directly for more information, schedule and pricing. I can’t wait to meet you, wherever you are in your journey.

XX -Meg