Instructor Spotlight: Zola Williams
Photography: Leighanna Kennett
We speak with Pilates Instructor Zola Williams about her Pilates career to date.
1. Tell us a little about yourself and your Pilates background
My name is Zola Williams and I live in Los Angeles, California. I got my Pilates comprehensive and Mat certification in 2013 from the Equinox Pilates Training Institute. I currently teach at Club Pilates in Marina del Rey. I have a dance background which really has helped me with my understanding of the body, how it moves, and how to get other people to also understand their own bodies. Having faced multiple injuries from my years of dancing, I’ve seen how Pilates has changed and helped my body and I want everyone to be able to experience the same joy that I do.
2. How did you discover Pilates?
I heard about Pilates in college as a dance major, but never took the course. After moving to Las Vegas to perform in The Lion King, I started doing Pilates, and fell in love with the way it strengthened my body.
3. How do you keep learning?
I continue to learn by taking workshops, watching videos, and continuing to practice with amazing teachers that inspire me. Pilates is so prevalent in social media now that it’s very easy to be inspired by others sharing the practice of Pilates with the world.
4. The best advice you were ever given as a teacher…
Teach the body in front of you!
5. Is there something you try and instil in each of your clients?
I try to make it clear that if you’re only doing Pilates to be skinny, or to look a certain way, you’re doing it for the wrong reasons.
6. The best Pilates course you ever did was…
I’ve taken a couple of workshops with Mari Winsor and I felt so grateful to be in her presence.
7. What’s your favourite piece of equipment to use with clients in studio and why?
I love the Cadillac because I can seamlessly integrate the mat work and the Cadillac exercises.
8. How do you stay motivated?
Right now, my 15 month old baby girl keeps me motivated in every way!
9. What makes you laugh the most?
I laugh a lot and I tend to laugh the most when I am with my family.
10. What’s your favourite way to spend a day off?
As long as I’m with my family, including the dog, it doesn’t matter what we do…
11. How many pairs of grip socks do you own?
I have at least 10 pairs of grip socks, but I love a classical studio that prefers bare feet!
12. Does your family ‘really know’ what’s involved in your job?
Most of my family would not know what my job entails.
Zola teaches at Club Pilates Marina del Rey, CA, USA.