We recently came across a Facebook Page that offered some brilliant and quite frankly hilarious sayings related to Pilates. That page was Movemnt with Maria. When we started sharing those posts, we began a relationship with the owner of that page, Maria Silver. As that relationship grew, we knew we wanted to share more about her with our community. That desire has led to this Q&A post so that you can get to know her too.
PP: Please tell us a little about yourself, and what got you interested in Pilates?
MS: Growing up, I struggled to find my place in the gym: I always felt awkward, uncoordinated, and out of shape. In addition, I spent a lot of my younger years engaging in a battle with my body because I never felt enough: I wasn’t skinny enough, I wasn’t strong enough, I wasn’t athletic enough.
I took my first spin class about 12 years ago, and that’s when I figured out that just because you are picked last at kickball doesn’t mean you aren’t athletic. Fitness (just like bodies) comes in a variety of different sizes. I’ve been teaching spin and group fitness for the last 10 years due to that discovery.
Fast forward to about 2 ½ years ago and my fitness bestie, (hi Emily!), began managing a Club Pilates. At her urging, I took an intro class, and I never looked back.
I call spin my first fitness love because it taught me to love movement. I call Pilates my fitness soulmate because the practice taught me to love myself.
PP: What kind of training and certification have you obtained to establish your education in Pilates?
MS: One second, I need to brace for impact because I’m pretty sure my answer is going to start some Facebook group argument (just kidding… kinda).
I’m certified through Club Pilates and their 500-hour certification program. I also have taken various instructor CEC training and have a mentor (hi Colleen!) I work with regularly to deepen my understanding of the practice.
PP: What led you to pursue Pilates as a career and starting your Movemnt with Maria business?
MS: I started my business as a way to connect with others like me: the nerdy kids picked last for kickball, the back row superstars, the introverts who find connection and community through fitness, the fitness outsiders who are looking to see what their body is capable of.
My intention through my blog and FB page is to remind everyone (including myself!) that you deserve to exist in space where movement exists. My FB page and blog are geared towards clients, and it’s been a pleasant surprise that teachers (and your awesome site) have taken too it.
As a side note: as somebody who feels like the kid who couldn’t finish the mile in under 15 minutes, I’m in awe daily that I have this business and people look to me for fitness info.
PP: How do come up with the Pilates sayings you create?
MS: This is the most non-answer ever but: they just come to me. Memes are my love language, and luckily the people in my life know that and tag me in a lot of them.
There are several reasons someone would come to get to know about the Pilates method. They could possibly be injured and simply told to give it a try, or it may even be the result of seeing the unfamiliar and odd equipment used in the practice of Pilates.
PP: If someone came up to you today and asked about Pilates, what would you tell them?
MS: No matter where you are in your journey, Pilates can meet you where you’re at.
From a complete newbie to recovering from an injury to a professional athlete, Pilates will challenge, change, and complete you.
PP: Here at Pilatespal, we desire not just to have a community, but build a Pilates family. That, in part, comes from learning about our members and providers. So to let our family get to know you; would you be willing to share something personal about yourself people may not know?
MS: I’m addicted to fruit snacks, I work full time in IT, I am addicted to reality tv, I adopt senior rescue dogs (the older and jankier the better), I have an Etsy shop (search: moveMNtshop on Etsy), and I’ve never met a wrinkle remover I wouldn’t try.
PP: Any closing thoughts? What would you like the Pilatespal community to know about you and your Movemnt with Maria Pilates business?
MS: I thought the divide in spin was bad but whoooa brother, Pilates is on whole other level.
Whether you’re classical, contemporary, mat only, Peak, Stott, Balanced Body, megaformer, or megasuperformer (just kidding, I made the last one up), I really believe that we all have the same goal: helping our clients figure out how movement will heal their body.
I don’t pretend to have all the answers or know how to fix it, but my bottom line is this: if you’re creating a space that isn’t supportive for other teachers, you are creating a space that isn’t supportive for clients.
There is enough room for all of us; we just need to figure out how to learn from each other without alienating each other.
Luckily though, I have found some of the kindest and supportive people through Pilates and fitness (hi Alex! hi Allison! hi Emily again! hi colleen again! hi Susan! hi Michelle!).
I hope that my page and interactions with other teachers and clients pay that compassion forward by creating a space that is non-judgmental, inclusive, and meme filled.
Long story short, my philosophy for teaching and business follows the advice given by Luann from Real Housewives of New York: be cool. Don’t be all, like, uncool.
*Maria Silver*
Maria Silver Fitness