You Belong Here!

This is my truth as a plus sized woman who practices AND teaches Pilates. 

Creating Felicia Jane Pilates has made me be more vulnerable than I ever imagined. It’s not easy to put yourself out there in an industry packed with people who are “long and lean” targeting others who want to be “thin”. It’s not easy to love your body and what it can do when so many people and businesses say otherwise. 

I was fortunate when I tried Pilates in a studio for the first time. My instructor was strong. She was thick. She was healthy. She looked a lot like me. And that made a world of difference for a woman who was working through hating her body. I remember telling myself I should have tried Pilates a long time ago after spending a few weeks at the studio. 

I am so thankful that she saw my overly flexible body and helped me learn how to reign myself in. I’m thankful that she challenged me, and told me that I could do the movement even when I was scared I couldn’t. I am so thankful that she saw how much I enjoyed Pilates, and encouraged me to go to training myself. I’m also thankful that the women I’ve learned from have continued to help me see how strong I am, and tell me that I can do hard movements.

Not everyone has had this experience. 

I often say that Pilates showed me how to love my body. I really do mean that. It’s given me a sense in pride in what my body can do, regardless of the size I am. It’s also shown me that persistence pays and that the mind is a powerful muscle that needs to be worked just as often as the others. 

Does this mean that every day I wake up loving my body? No. I’m not perfect. There are days where self loathing creeps in and makes me feel less than. 

So, I pick myself up, dust off the self doubt, and move forward. 

If you can relate, let me know. You can always join me at the studio. 

PS: I’m also thankful for a number of fellow movement lovers I follow on social media for sharing their stories and experiences. Representation matters. Check out these inspiring ladies on Instagram: 

• Allison_skewes

• Anulamaiberg

• Fatbodypilates 

• Jamieatwonderfullywell

• louisegreen_bigfitgirl

• Sabrinathefitnesswitch

• Size_diverse_pilates