Instructor Spotlight: Tahlia Grogan
We speak with Pilates Instructor Tahlia Grogan about her Pilates career to date.
1. Tell us a little about yourself and your Pilates background
I have been working as a full time instructor since 2011. I had the pleasure of teaching at many studios in and around Melbourne, but found my home at One Hot Yoga & Pilates. I have been at One since they launched their Pilates studio in 2014, and I am still here 10 years later. I am now the Pilates Program Director and get the pleasure of overseeing the Pilates modality across both our Melbourne and Sydney studios, as well as our teacher training program and international retreats. My clients would describe me as energetic, loud and really bad at counting!
2. How did you discover Pilates?
I injured my back whilst I was living overseas working as a professional dancer. I found Pilates to be the best way to manage my chronic pain, and eventually rehabilitate my injuries fully.
3. How do you keep learning?
I learn the most from my clients. Having worked with so many different people, personalities, strengths and injuries over the last 12 years, you come to realise the is no one magic exercise nor solution, and every body is truly different. Learning to work with the individual and learn how to best facilitate a movement experience that suits them makes the work so fascinating and rewarding.
4. The best advice you were ever given as a teacher…
Every student is capable, our job as instructors is to give them the tools.
5. Is there something you try and instil in each of your clients?
Nothing is impossible with a little hard work ;)
6. The best Pilates course you ever did was…
The most inspiring class I have ever done was a mat class with James D'Silva at the PMA conference in Monterey, California. It was the most beautiful exploration of movement and the amazing possibilities when you remove the 'boundaries'.
7. What’s your favourite piece of equipment to use with clients in studio and why?
Nothing beats the mat for me. It is where it all began and it is what everything comes back to. It’s also why I love working at One, we offer our students not only reformer Pilates but also mat and full equipment small group classes.
8. How do you stay motivated?
By having fun with my students and my classes! Even after 12 years, it doesn't feel like work. What a privilege it is to spend my days watching people achieve things they didn't think they could and facilitate an hour of positivity in their day.
9. What makes you laugh the most?
Dark humoured memes.
10. What’s your favourite way to spend a day off?
Snuggling on the couch with my two puppies!
11. How many pairs of grip socks do you own?
I am not a fan of grip socks and I will take ankle weights over a stretch band every day!
12. Does your family ‘really know’ what’s involved in your job?
My husband is a personal trainer so we have a mutual respect for the hours, the energy and the commitment our jobs require. It definitely makes it easier when the alarm goes off at 5am and he has to get up too!
Tahlia works for One Hot Yoga in South Yarra, Victoria, Australia.