Instructor Spotlight: Joshua Norris-Ongso

1.     Tell us a little about yourself and your Pilates background

I’m Josh, born in Medan, Indonésia, I grew up in Melbourne, Australia and now I live in Lisbon, Portugal. I’ve been teaching at my own studios for a while now. I sold everything in Melbourne and was retired until I realized how much I miss teaching. So I started by working for some studios in Lisbon but realized very quickly that my values don’t really align with the studios. So despite my husband’s discouragement, I opened one locally near where I live and that’s where I work now. I see lots of locals and people from the community and that’s what I am all about, só it makes me happy. I graduated from the school of Physiotherapy in 2002 and started teaching not long after that. My friends would say that I am fun with a lot of crazy and heart. 

2.     How did you discover Pilates?

I was a full-time gymnast and dancer and was always injured - I wasn’t really built for gymnastics but that’s a whole other story. My physio at the time suggested some clinical Pilates. I was sceptical; then again I was 16. But then it helped. What I tried to fix with passive treatments wasn’t working. Naturally I was sold. 

3. How do you keep learning?

I love learning. And the reality is if you stop learning, you will get left behind! I read a lot of journals and articles. I am lucky because as a Physiotherapist I have to do Professional Development every year so I keep my head in the game. My clients inspire me. They push me to be better and keeping up with the latest of everything. My peers inspire me. These days, with social media and access to the internet, I get to connect globally. I inspire to always find different ways to push boundaries yet stay grounded and true to who I am. 

4.     The best advice you were ever given as a teacher…

Work with the body in front of you.

5.      Is there something you try and instil in each of your clients?

You do you, listen to your body and be brave to speak up if something does not feel right. 

6. The best Pilates course you ever did was…

Roberta at Rollates Pilates in New York. Roberta was knowledgeable, yet kind, and she truly inspired me that you can be unique and true to yourself and still be amazing at what you do (and that you can teach until whenever you so wish to!) 

7. What’s your favourite piece of equipment to use with clients in studio and why?

Reformer because it’s so versatile and has endless possibilities.

8. How do you stay motivated?

I want to continue to inspire my clients and for them to leave class feeling amazing.

At the moment I also see lots of discussions about what’s Pilates and what’s not, contemporary vs classical, etc. I don’t buy into any of that. Surely we can all find somewhere in the middle that we can all exist happily together. 

9. What makes you laugh the most?

Silly things. I do laugh at everything though. 

10. What’s your favourite way to spend a day off?

Jumping on a pottery wheel and get messy. 

11. Do you love or hate a stretch band?

LOVE a stretch band. 

12. Does your family ‘really know’ what’s involved in your job? 

Definitely not.