Instructor Spotlight: Olya Kudryavtseva

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

I am Olya and I am based in Sydney. I teach in a few studios in the North Shore for the past two years. I’ve been working in the health and fitness industry for over 15 years now and I can safely say that Pilates is absolutely the best thing that happened to me! I currently teach at Flow Well Studio and Club Pilates Mosman. I hope my friends think I am a good person and fun to be around. I personally think I have a good sense of humour but I might be bias of course.

2. How did you discover Pilates

I used to work in the corporate world and had to travel very often for work. I lived in various hotels for about six months a year and was looking for some type of exercise that I could do in a very limited space without any equipment. That's how I discovered mat Pilates classes on You Tube. At the time I did them daily!

3. How do you keep learning? What inspires you in your work? Who/where do you get inspiration from?

I think I am very lucky with the teachers that I had along the way. They are the best in the industry and I am a very loyal student. Andrew Aroustian is one of them. He was my teacher when I did my Pilates Diploma with Pilates ITC and I am still working with him weekly. I did his mentorship program last year and I learn’t so much from him!

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

To always be a student.

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

I believe that consistency is the key to success in everything and I try to encourage my clients to be consistent in their Pilates journey as well.

6. The best Pilates course you ever did was…

Diploma with Pilates ITC!

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

I really enjoy the Reformer because it is so popular and versatile. That being said my favourite pieces of equipment are the high Barrel and magic circle. I also love the Cadillac. It is really hard to choose!

8. How do you stay motivated?

I just stay consistent.

9. What makes you laugh the most?

My children! They make me cry too.

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

My perfect day includes Pilates, coffee and some time in nature with my kids.

11. How many pairs of grip socks do you own? ? Do you love or hate a stretch band?

Never too many grip socks! It's a love-hate relationship with a stretch band, of course.

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

I have Pilates apparatus at home and I caught my husband Youtubing reformer tutorials once- instead of asking me! Who knows how much he knows! As for the rest of the family - they are very, very confused about what I actually do.

Olga teaches at Flow Well Studio and Club Pilates in Mosman, NSW, Australia.