You may have noticed several new names on the schedule lately. That’s because our training team has been diligently working to train new instructors, and onboard them to our team so we can continue providing our signature Pilates classes that you’ve come to love!
This “Meet Our Team” series will roll out monthly to introduce you to our team! We’re starting with our newest instructors and then we’ll work our way to our seasoned pros.
Meet Nardia B! Nardia is a professional ballerina, and currently performs as a company member with The Washington Ballet. Nardia has had a long standing relationship with pilates. Pilates was always a part of her ballet school conditioning training. Pilates conditioning was essential to bettering her ballet technique and helped her learn to control her long extremities. Keep on reading to learn all about our Nardia!
Why do you LOVE Pilates Nardia?
Pilates is the perfect compliment to my dancing! Pilates is a wonderful exercise and strengthening option for ballerinas because it builds long, lean muscles. Pilates continuously stretches the muscles, so that the muscle strands build longer rather than create bulk.
How did you start instructing at RTR Pilates?
During quarantine our company manager emailed all of the dancers with an opportunity to train to become pilates instructors, exclusive to The Washington Ballet dancers. I thought it was a positive way to spend my time in isolation. Virtual training had its challenges, but luckily I had access to the RTR facilities and I had a few ballerina guinea pigs to help me along the way!
When you’re not teaching, where can we find you?
I like being busy. I juggle my ballet career with school, teaching pilates, traveling for photoshoots and spending time with my pets. As a ballerina we practice and refine our technique everyday. If we weren’t in the middle of a pandemic, I would say that you would find me in the studio or performing at The Kennedy Center, but currently I would be writing a paper for school or taking a virtual ballet class in my kitchen.
Top 3 artists/songs for your Pilates music playlist:
DJ Black Motion, Sun El Musician, and Beyonce. I love South African house music because it’s groovy. Which is perfect for a meditative level of concentration, while also being upbeat and livens up the classes. And Beyonce, because she’s the queen. (Obviously!)
Favorite Pilates exercise/movement & why?
I love Reverse Seated Ab work! For me it’s an arm coordination workout in the disguise of an ab workout. I am pretty long and lanky, this exercise helps me to control my long arms while isometrically working my core.
What’s the one thing you want your clients to feel when/after taking your class?
I want my clients to feel empowered and accomplished. The reformer is intimidating and resistance training can be painstaking. Joseph Pilates founded pilates with the idea that there is power in having a calm mind, and that conditioning your body with physical activity allows you to remain in better overall health and mental wellness.
Nardia B teaches in Chevy Chase on Tuesday afternoons, in Mclean Thursday mornings, and in Potomac at 12:15 and 1:15. Sign up today!