Pilates with Cicely

Introductions.... I’ve been teaching for a long time and I’m good at what I do but I am NOT good at the branding side of things. YET. Quite honestly, it gives me the heebie-jeebies. I prefer to invest my energy in the nuts and bolts of what I do, not in self-promotion, and I’m embarrassed at how long it’s taken me to realize how counterproductive that is. My clients need to be able to find me. Hence this post. Hi! I’m Cicely and I am a queer-identified cis-woman, engaged to a... brilliant, talented male-identified human. I prefer the pronouns she/her/hers. I teach pilates and embodiment practices in Los Angeles, traditional land of the Kizh, Tongva, and Gabrielino people. I am also a violinist and teaching artist for the LA Phil’s YOLA program. My own movement practices include hiking, pilates, yoga, flamenco, and ecstatic dance. I am actively working towards decolonization and abolition. I DO NOT teach pilates for fitness (though that can be a nice by-product, if that’s what you’re looking for) but rather for holistic, individual health and overall physical, emotional, and spiritual wellness, whatever that means to you. A session with me will typically involve a somatic check-in, breathwork, mobilization and articultion on all planes, and gentle stretching to wind down. I recommend cardio in addition because it is good for heart and brain health and PILATES IS NOT CARDIO. All bodies are welcome in my studio. And while my advice comes from nearly 17 years of teaching, and a lifetime studying different forms of movement, you are your best teacher and I always encourage an inner listening. Take from me what serves, leave what does not. You are my client if: You want to work deeper and smarter, not necessarily brutishly harder You want to trust your body You acknowledge, even if you don’t fully understand, that emotions live in the body You want to be present during a movement session not just burn and grind We have mutual respect You are not my client if: Your goals are only aesthetic You’re going to phone it in You just want to work hard and not smart You go to a trainer so that you don’t have to do all the work (contd in comments)

Join me for a props-free mat class, Tuesday, 10am PST @pilateseaglerock. Let’s dive a little deeper #pilateswithcicely

Have you all met the Oov? It’s one of my all-time props. It ain’t cheap, but it is enormously effective in deepening your practice and surprisingly challenging! Meet your deepest core, awaken your sleepiest nooks and crannies on this bad boy. I remember vividly my first time on the Oov, and how it felt almost like my brain was melting - my spine had never felt so supported OUT of its bad habits in such a way that made me feel held and yet challenged - still involved in the st...abilizing myself. Especially during this time when we’re all missing hands’-on correction so much, one needs a tool that can enhance proprioception. I’ve had a couple of private clients get their own with profound results. If you’re one of those people who wants to amp up their practice and attune their feedback loop, grab yourself one and hit me up for a sesh! #pilateswithcicely #meettheoov See more

I’m personally a little activated by everyone’s propensity to use mother as a verb on this day. It’s just too exclusive. Why not nurture, care, grow, tend? I see and validate the desire to recognize mothers in particular, but I know this day is triggering for so many people who obviously have or have had mothers or are or want to be mothers. So let’s just be mindful and wrap everyone in the love we feel on this day, if we feel it, ya?