“Focusing on finding a mind/body connection is crucial. The goal is to work from the inside out; directing our bodies from our deep center. ”
Q & A Session with Louie Marin-Howard
Q: What is your favorite part of the private sessions you do?
A: I believe that private sessions offer both the client and instructor the opportunity to really connect and communicate with each other. This relationship encourages growth and mindfulness, and I love that when working with clients one-on-one.
Private sessions allow me to work with a person to develop a program specifically designed for them. The goal is to identify any imbalances a person may have in their body and help them learn to efficiently recruit the muscles needed to create balance while simultaneously using their natural strength.
My favorite part of private sessions is the genuine breakthroughs we achieve when diving into the customized, specific movements and processes we create together. Taking those breakthroughs into our everyday life, into our everyday movements, creates change. You can change the way your body moves through space. You can change the way your body feels!!! You can experience spontaneous zest and pleasure!
Q: What is it that makes your work unique?
A: I really believe in taking Pilates, and all of the work we do in the studio “to the streets”. Take the work home with you, into your office, and even when you go bungee jumping, if that's your thing!
In your lifetime you will spend far more time with yourself in your everyday life, than you will with me in the studio. So it is essential that you continue the work even after we meet. My goal is to help you learn how to fully incorporate this training into your life – not just once a week for an hour, but all day, every day!
My background as a professional dancer provides me with a unique eye for integrating the body in an efficient way. I truly believe that my personal journey with Pilates spearheaded my dance career. It gave me the gift of body awareness. Having a mind/body connection changes everything about the way we direct our bodies. Over the last 15 years, Pilates has served as a foundation from which to learn about my body to build stamina, safely.
Q: What are your 5 best attributes?
- I LOVE to teach. This makes me a passionate motivator, and creates a positive and safe environment to learn.
- I am a very patient teacher. Practice doesn't make perfect. Practice makes Permanent! We are going to take our time, should we need to- and get it right!
- My artistic edge as a professional dancer and dance educator helps me design programs for my clients that are always practical and movement friendly.
- I look to all of my experience when teaching. I have been teaching for 9 years, both regionally and nationally; in private and class settings. I have experience working with various special populations such as post/prenatal women, clients seeking prehab/rehab, senior citizens, osteoporosis, scoliosis, and related issues. My experience allows me to adapt; where I can pull from different avenues in my training to help and challenge my client.
- I am consistent, and I won't give up. I love helping people and working out! You can trust me.
Q: Who do you find yourself working with most often?
A: I think my experience working in smaller boutique studios and larger gym settings has prepared me to work with everyday people. I've trained clients of all different ages, and body types. I believe Pilates is for everyone. It is the “Technique to the Technique”, a balance of strength and flexibility; in order to achieve maximum stability and natural grace.
Q: What are your biggest challenges when conducting a personal training session and how do you overcome them?
A: The biggest challenge in a personal session is making the client comfortable enough to SLOW DOWN; especially when working with clients that are more active, injury-free, and have been more exposed to the “No Pain, No Gain” mentality. Focusing on finding a mind/body connection is crucial. The goal is to work from the inside out; directing our bodies from our deep center. Sometimes this can take time, and even feel limiting. It can feel very brainy and nebulous in the beginning; as we learn how to isolate, strengthen, and articulate these deep muscles necessary to move our bones in the most healthy and efficient way possible. Using fundamental exercises and imagery helps support the recruitment of those deep postural muscles; allowing the client to find coordination of focus, breath, and movement. Remember- “NO BRAIN, No Gain!”!!!
Louie’s Bio
Louie holds a B.F.A. in Dance Performance from the University of Florida New World School of the Arts in Miami, Florida, where he first began to fine-tune his eye for movement and body awareness. He moved to New York City in 2005 and began his professional dance career where he worked with Graham II, Amanda Selwyn Dance Theatre, and Carolyn Dorfman Dance, with whom he is still performing.
In 2009, Louie was certified in Pilates Apparatus and Mat from The Lab in Brooklyn, NY, under the direction of Master Teacher Lawson Harris. Louie has spent the last thirteen years balancing his dance career and Pilates practice. He has had the opportunity to teach at BIMA (Brandeis Institute of Music and Arts) in Waltham, MA. He was the resident Pilates Director for NJ SummerDance from 2011-2015 at Kean University in Union, NJ. As a principal dancer for Carolyn Dorfman Dance, Louie has toured nationally and internationally while maintaining his own private Pilates practice on Manhattan’s Upper West Side.
