This week we chat with Allison Cherrette. Allison graduated from The Pilates Center, Boulder Advanced Teacher Training Program in 2014. She currently owns Bird On A Perch a studio in Marquette, MI. Allison began practicing Mat Pilates in the early 2000’s, thanks to Mari Winsor, and eventually found her way to the Equipment when she needed a low impact alternative to dancing.
Hi Allison, How are you today?
Great! It’s Sunday, my cherished day off so I’ve been enjoying a relaxing day on Lake Superior.
Where are you and what are you up to today?
I’ve returned to my roots in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan where I own a studio called Bird On A Perch. As the first official “Equipment” studio in the area, it’s been fun exposing this community to the Pilates Method that I love so much. When I’m not teaching you can find me exploring the great outdoors with my husband and two fur babies or side hustling as a photographer.
How did you find out about TPC?
In my mid-twenties my body was starting to feel really old. My joints hurt from dancing, my neck and shoulders were a wreck from spending endless hours at a desk each week, and I had pins and needles in my low back.
It was clear that I needed to switch up my movement routine and after considering all the alternatives, I found myself at Evolve Pilates of Denver. The owner, Annie Strazza, as well as my teacher, Emily Rettig, were both TPC graduates.
What was your reason for choosing to train with TPC?
After my first private Pilates lesson on the Reformer, something clicked. Through the Classical method I felt more connected, mentally and physically, than I ever had before. When I finally decided to pursue Pilates training I wanted to replicate that same experience for others.
After researching a variety of programs across the country, I ended up enrolling in the best Classical Pilates school I knew of, which just so happened to be in my own backyard (at the time).
I’m a very experiential learner so I loved that The Pilates Center offered many opportunities to dive into the work outside of the core curriculum. The movement skills and teaching skills options were really helpful, especially for those concepts that didn’t come as naturally to me.
Why do you think TPC is the best option for people wanting to become Pilates teachers?
Looking across Pilates programs I think The Pilates Center, Boulder does an excellent job at providing its trainees with a rock solid foundation. Something trainees can build upon and play with for the rest of their career without getting lost or confused about what they are teaching. Which is, hopefully, Pilates 🙂
What was / is your favourite things about TPC’s teacher training programme?
After spending far too many years in the corporate world I was tired of environments that felt stale and rigid. While the TPC program offered structure, I was drawn to how personal it could be. I loved the option to work under a variety of teachers (all in one place) and to witness each of their unique interpretation of the work.
What do you think your experience at TPC has given you most?
Life. Seriously!
When I enrolled at The Pilates Center, Boulder I was pretty broken. I resented the path I had taken. I was scarred from past relationships. I turned to bad habits to solve the things I wasn’t emotionally mature enough to process.
Basically I was just walking around with a bunch of bull sh*t, and didn’t even know it. In that vulnerable time The Pilates Center, and the Pilates Method, forced me to be with myself in a way I had never been before. The program challenged me to recognize my demons, and also gave me the tools I needed to face them.
I can’t really say where I would be today if it weren’t for The Pilates Center, my teachers, and my fellow trainees, but I can guarantee I wouldn’t feel this alive.
What would you say to someone who is considering training with TPC?
Just do it. It’ll be the best thing you ever did for yourself. I promise.