Pilates Instructor of the month: Erika Bloom

Where do you teach?

New York

My teaching tips

Breathe! It’s the most important thing you can do in exercise and in life.

Favourite Exercise and reason why

My go to exercise is knee folds with the pelvis on a block. Having the pelvis on the block gives the client feedback that encourages a truly neutral, stable pelvis. In this position the lumbar multifidi, pelvic floor, and the transversus abdominis engage and the femurs can properly differentiate in the hip sockets. Also, the slight inversion of the torso allows the ribs to soften back and gives resistance to the engagement of the diaphragm. Therefore, all four of the key deep core muscles, diaphragm, pelvic floor, transversus abdominis, and multifidi, are worked in this one exercise. It’s also appropriate for many levels of students and can be modified in multiple ways.

In a nutshell, tell us a little bit about yourself and your experience in the industry

I was a professional dancer and began Pilates due to dance related injuries. I certified through the PhysicalMind Institute and studied with Lesley Powell, Doris Hall, Shelley Studenberg, Kuan Hui Chew, Irene Dowd, and others. I also studied Klien, Alexander, Feldenkrais, Rolfing, and am a certified yoga therapist. I’ve been studying and teaching Pilates and other fitness and healing methods for 20 years. My studio, Erika Bloom Pilates Plus, is on Madison Avenue in New York City where I also offer continuing education courses and full teacher certification. In addition, Human Kinetics recently released my DVD, Next-Level Pilates, available on erikabloom.com and amazon.com.

Do you have a motto or mission statement?

My studio motto is ‘get deeper’.  It has a two-fold meaning: I believe that true strength and functional movement comes from properly accessing the deeper intrinsic musculature of the body. I teach these muscles to be smart, supple, and strong thereby supporting the skeleton and joints properly, increasing efficiency of movement, improving movement patterning, and preventing injury. Second, I encourage through my teaching a deeper connection to the body and the self. This facilitates proper exercise as well as helping each person to understand their own needs thereby encouraging healthier eating, sufficient rest, and creative and emotional nourishment.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years from now?

I look forward to continuing to bring Pilates to the world. I will see growth in my studio, teacher training and continuing education programs as well as additional DVD’s and fitness writing. I’ll also be spending plenty of joyous time with my beautiful children!