Member Highlight: Brenda Barceló ~ Santa Cruz, California, USA

Brenda Barceló
Santa Cruz, California, USA
Balanced Body University Pilates Mat certified
Pilates Mat instructor at Pleasure Point Pilates, Santa Cruz, California.

What originally motivated you to try Pilates?
My initial motivation to try Pilates was a serious back injury (4 herniated discs.) Once the pain subsided, I decided to try something new that supposedly helped improve back conditions. What a find! I rarely have any more back pain episodes. A few years later, I decided I wanted to help other people with similar back conditions and my Pilates mat teacher encouraged me to become an instructor. Pilates has allowed me to be a much better tango dancer, and it helped me to regain my ability to walk, run, travel, and enjoy life to the fullest.

The last thing you bought and loved?
Plane tickets to the Virgin Islands. Just got back. Loved it!

In one word, describe your first Pilates experience?
Fitting.

Your favorite Pilates exercise?
The Rollover, among many others.

Your favorite website (other than Pilates Anytime)?
Pleasure Point Pilates, Facebook, Tango Mango, and Amazon for Kindle books.

Your favorite workout clothes?
Wild leggings, for example the Teeki brand, and tight-fitting tank tops.

How did you hear about Pilates Anytime?
I first heard about Pilates Anytime while preparing to test out a few years ago. I thought it was a marvelous idea to have a site like this, and right away, decided to become a member. I've been using the website ever since, almost daily. The level and quality of the instruction and demonstrations are excellent, and so are the workshops.

The last song you purchased?
A tango, naturally! Georgina Vargas's new CD.

Do you practice a particular style of Pilates?
Pilates Mat and props, exclusively. Besides teaching two wonderful Pilates Mat classes at Pleasure Point Pilates, I love teaching and practicing Pilates while traveling abroad. I speak Spanish natively, also French, Italian, and Portuguese, and I have had the opportunity to teach a series in Italian at the studio. I've also offered other series and workshops, such as Pilates for Tango Dancers, and Improve your Balance, a workshop about the importance of balance training as we age.

How do you use Pilates Anytime?
I often take Pilates workshops at Pilates Anytime. I find them extremely helpful, very instructional, and very well organized and delivered, some offer CECs and note-taking documents to follow along. I watch classes for inspiration and variety. I also watch interviews.

What do you appreciate most about your body?
I most appreciate my body's ability to heal itself.

An indulgence you would never forgo?
Dark chocolate, of course!

The book on your bedside table?
The novel on my bedside table at this moment is La mano de Fátima. I'm an avid reader and enjoy Spanish and English-language novels.

What was your most memorable journey?
My most memorable journey has been my marriage to my husband of 22 years. He's the most caring and loving person I've ever met. He's also my Pilates student in each and every class I teach. Our most memorable trip was to Machu Picchu, Peru.

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