From Dance to Pilates: A Transformative Journey
Ashlea McKee’s path to a fulfilling Pilates career began early in her life, steeped in the world of dance. Starting at age two, she trained rigorously and performed internationally, achieving an advanced level by 18. However, her promising dance career was cut short by a debilitating spinal stress fracture from overuse. “Although it was a tough time,” Ashlea reflects, “I’m so grateful it happened.” This moment of physical limitation turned out to be a blessing in disguise, introducing her to Pilates.
Through Pilates, Ashlea discovered a method that not only aided her recovery but also became her new passion. “Once I experienced the transformative power of Pilates and how it helped me fully recover from injury, I felt a deep desire to help others in the same way,” she shares. At 21, she completed 600 hours of comprehensive classical Pilates training, blending her dance background with the structured approach of Pilates to create a powerful tool for helping clients from all walks of life.
Building a Global Community
Connecting Digitally with Clients
One of the most rewarding aspects of Ashlea’s Pilates career has been maintaining strong connections with her clients. As a freelancer, she has successfully fostered a global community through:
Personalised messages to clients.
Free workouts, events and engaging content shared via her app and social media.
Consistent engagement and encouragement.
“I realized early on that I needed to check in regularly with my community, whether through personalized messages, free workouts, or just encouraging feedback,” she explains.
“Building the app was an important milestone in my journey. I designed my app to be for a wide range of Classical Pilates and stretch classes and designed for all levels. I also included seasonal challenges to ensure my clients were consistent with their workouts. The challenge with an app is you have to have regular updates to make sure there is always fresh content which keeps my clients engaged. The challenge with an app is ensuring regular updates to deliver fresh content that keeps clients engaged. Over time, I’ve learned to listen closely to client feedback, tailoring the app to include features they truly value—such as shorter classes that fit seamlessly into their busy lifestyles, detailed breakdowns and tutorials for deeper understanding, and dedicated themes to align with their specific goals and interests” she said.
Managing the Challenges of Freelancing
Freelancing offers Ashlea the freedom to express her unique teaching style, but it also comes with challenges, including juggling multiple roles:
Teaching sessions in diverse settings, from retreats to corporate events.
Handling marketing, sales, and finances.
Creating content for digital platforms.
“As a solo instructor, I often juggle multiple roles, from teaching to handling marketing, sales, finances, and content creation. There’s so much to balance, and it’s not always easy to switch off,” she admits. To maintain balance, Ashlea has learned the importance of setting boundaries. “When I first started, I said yes to everything, but now I create a more realistic schedule.” This approach helps her sustain her passion and deliver her best self to clients.
Staying Inspired and Grounded
Mindfulness and Mind-Body Connection
Mindfulness is central to Ashlea’s teaching philosophy. At the start of each class, she guides clients through centering exercises, helping them transition into a state of calm and focus. For Ashlea, Pilates is not only a physical workout but also a form of meditation, offering both mental and physical benefits. “For me, Pilates is a form of meditation. This is what initially drew me to it. It allows me to move mindfully and focus solely on my movements, the muscles engaged, and the exercises. It allows me to switch off from stress and just be in the moment,” she says.
Clients often share that they leave her classes feeling physically energised and mentally refreshed, a testament to the holistic power of mindful movement.
Drawing Inspiration from the Community
Ashlea’s support system, including her family, partner, friends, and mentors, plays a vital role in keeping her grounded. She also stays motivated by attending Pilates classes as a client, where she gathers new ideas and connects with fellow instructors. “Some of my best ideas come to me while I’m moving,” she shares.
Advice for Aspiring Pilates Instructors
Ashlea offers simple yet profound advice to fellow freelance instructors:
Be yourself and share your authentic message.
Stay consistent with your engagement to build a loyal community.
Set boundaries to prioritize your well-being.
“Be yourself and share your message, no matter how big or small,” she emphasizes. “When you embrace who you are, people will feel it, and that’s what creates genuine connections. No one is you, and that’s your power.”
By embracing authenticity, instructors can attract clients who resonate with their unique approach and build a thriving practice.
Looking to the Future
Ashlea envisions expanding her offerings to make Pilates more accessible worldwide. From establishing studios to offering online courses, her goal is to share the transformative power of Pilates with as many people as possible. “Teaching Pilates internationally is a dream come true for me,” she says. “I enjoy connecting with clients from different cultures and backgrounds.”
Her journey demonstrates the importance of resilience, authenticity, and mindfulness in building a fulfilling Pilates career. By fostering genuine connections and continually adapting to her clients’ needs, Ashlea inspires countless individuals to embrace Pilates and experience its life-changing benefits.
Ashlea McKee is a Certified Classical Pilates Instructor with 7+ years of experience and 600+ hours of training on all Pilates apparatus. A former professional dancer, she specializes in personalized instruction focused on precision, alignment, and mindful movement. Ashlea hosts global Pilates retreats, offers private sessions (in-person and online), and runs the Pilates with Ashlea appfeaturing 130+ on-demand workouts for all levels.
FAQs
1. How can someone transition from a dance background to a Pilates career?
Transitioning from dance to Pilates often involves leveraging the body awareness and discipline gained through dance training. Many dancers find Pilates beneficial for recovery, injury prevention, and performance enhancement. To start a career, aspiring instructors can enroll in comprehensive Pilates teacher training programs, where they can combine their movement expertise with structured education to help others achieve their fitness goals.
2. What are some effective ways to build a global community in the Pilates industry?
Building a global pilates community involves consistent engagement through personalised communication, offering free resources like workouts or events, and utilising digital platforms such as apps and social media. Listening to feedback and tailoring offerings—like shorter classes, themed challenges, and detailed tutorials—can help maintain strong connections and keep clients motivated.
3. How can I find Ashlea’s app?
You can find Pilates with Ashlea app here.