This week we chat with Kavita Prakash, owner of Pilates for Wellbeing – the very first fully equipped Classical Pilates studio in India. A one time competitive athlete, Kavita discovered Pilates whilst living and working in Dubai. She loved the Pilates method so much she gave up her established corporate career and pursued her dream to become a graduate of The Pilates Center, Boulder’s Advanced Teacher Training Program.
How did you find out about TPC?
I have been a resident of Dubai for over 22yrs and in 2004 after giving birth to my third baby, I was on the lookout for an exercise regime to get back into shape. That’s when I stumbled upon Pilates.
I came across Club Stretch, the only Pilates Studio in Dubai at the time and where I enrolled into regular classes. I had an extremely well paying corporate job, which made it possible for me to practice Pilates four to five times a week.
After about a year of practicing Pilates regularly and seeing the fabulous changes it made to my body, I became completely hooked. I got to a stage where Pilates took precedence over everything else in my life.
Being a regular client at Club Stretch, I got to hear about their Teacher Training Program and their affiliation to The Pilates Center. After my initial consultation with the Program Director I knew it was something that I wanted to do but dabbled with the idea for a few years before I actually decided to enroll.
What was your reason for choosing to train with TPC?
During my time as a Client with Club Stretch, I used to see a lot of Trainees in the Studio who were doing TPC’s TTP. Their level of commitment and inclination always amazed me. As I was a regular at Club Stretch, many of the trainees used me as their body for their practice teaching hours and I got to hear of all the nice things they said about the The Pilates Center, Boulder Teacher Training Program. I also got to see these trainees grow into fabulous Instructors. This was a sure shot reason for me to pick TPC when I eventually decided to enroll into the Program.
Did you look at other schools?
Well, I did a lot of online research before I enrolled into TPC’s Teacher Training Program through Club Stretch. At the time, Real Pilates (Stott) came into Dubai and was offering Mat & Reformer courses. The duration of their programs was shorter and definitely much cheaper. This prompted me to carry out an in-depth research on the Classical v’s Contemporary Pilates.
If so, what was it about TPC that made it stand out from the other Pilates training schools you looked at?
For me it was the whole experience of my Pilates journey at Club Stretch as their client and the rapport I had built with the instructors & trainees at the Studio. I had also read of the many fabulous trainee reviews of TPC’s Teacher Training Program, which made my decision a lot easier.
I would often hear of all the awesome experiences that the other Instructor’s had during their visits to The Pilates Center in Boulder. I always dreamed of traveling to Boulder to experience that first hand.
Why do you think TPC is the best option for people wanting to become Pilates teachers?
The Teacher Training Program offered by TPC is comprehensive and very well rounded. It gives a strong framework for anyone wanting to pursue a career as a Pilates Teacher in the Classical Pilates Method.
Since I started off being a client first for many years before deciding to follow my passion and study Pilates in depth, it was imperative for me not to just do the exercise and make it look pretty but I wanted to feel right & empowered in my body. I strongly believe that TPC’s TTP gave me this. Today I am able to translate the same to my trainees.
The internship hours are extremely valuable and the way it is structured brings the best out of every new teacher. The Program equips one not to just become a Pilates teacher, but instills freedom of thought and helps one develop their teaching skills which eventually garners into becoming unique to one-self.
Kudos to Rachel and Amy for designing a world-class Program!
What was / is your favourite things about TPC’s teacher training programme?
During my Advanced TTP, I completed most of my internship hours at Club Stretch in Dubai. All along the way, I often heard of the many fabulous things about TPC, about Rachel, about Amy and all of their fabulous Instructors. I wanted to experience TPC before I completed my Program and the decision to make my very first trip to Boulder was probably one of the best experiences of my life.
I was 2 months away from my finals when I decided to visit TPC to complete the balance of my internship hours. It was a whole different world out there for me. My first 2 days at TPC was pretty overwhelming! I was blown away by the array of knowledge I was soaking in and I wanted to make the most of my 3-week trip. Each of the Instructors I got to work with was so unique, yet they all shared one common ground – a passion for Pilates. My biggest take away from my visit to TPC was the compassion I started to unravel in my teaching which is my biggest strength today.
The experience of being mentored by TPC’s Instructors towards the end of my program was by far one my favorite things and extremely valuable.
What do you think your experience at TPC has given you most?
Apart from giving me the confidence to get away from a monotonous corporate job it has given me a passion for life. I no longer wake up in the morning and cringe going to work but look forward to the zillion possibilities of making my clients smile & heal through Pilates.
I am a Happier, Healthier ME
Not forgetting to mention that I want to keep going back to TPC and have now built that into my yearly schedule. I just can’t get enough!
What would you say to someone who is considering training with TPC?
You’ve come to the right place to make a new beginning.