I am thrilled to announce the launch of an Inspirational Women blog series on The Looking Glass. Throughout the next few weeks I will be posting interviews with women I find exceptionally inspirational in my life. One of the greatest female role models in my life is Natasha LaFayette. I have been lucky enough to be able to call Natasha my Pilates instructor and my friend for about three years. She has taught me so much about fitness, entrepreneurship, and how to live life to the fullest.
Natasha discovered the Pilates Method of Body Conditioning while as a dancer as a way to keep up with the strenuous demands that dance puts on the body. After practicing Pilates for over 20 years it has become an integral part of her life. Natasha pursued her Pilates education through Power Pilates® in NYC. She has since received her Gyrotonic® Certification, MELT Method® and Reiki certification throughout the following years. She often describes her experience with Pilates as one that allowed her to dance longer and stronger injury free. Her Pilates training opened the door to other modalities to introduce to her clients as an effective means for re-patterning movement and moving pain free.
Natasha’s love of Pilates and anatomy has developed into a passion of teaching her students and watching them discover their own physical capabilities within their bodies as they grow through practicing the classical Pilates, Gyrotonic®, and MELT Method® techniques. She finds it especially fulfilling to see her clients excel at their crafts as performing artists and athletes when they develop that core strength that too will keep them going longer and stronger.
Natasha may speak first hand about the results she has achieved through Pilates and what she has observed in her clients. Her reputation extends far beyond Saratoga Springs but to Boston, Nantucket, New York as she has worked with professional athletes from major sports teams all over the US, and talented dancers from New York City Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Boston Ballet etc. She has traveled internationally for both dance related projects and teaching Pilates. Natasha has also been affiliated with the Saratoga Summer Dance Institute teaching their Pilates program during the summer.
What inspired you
to take your passion for pilates and turn it into a career?
It was my love of movement. Having retired from a successful ballet/dance career, where I thought "hey this can be just as big" and you can help more people get out of physical pain like I had personally experienced. It truly was a challenge of seeing how successful I could push this business and industry too!
If possible, what
would you tell your eighteen-year-old self?
I would say "clean your room!" I function the best at work with a clean, clear de-cluttered space. It's when I'm the most creative. If only I had a clear, de-cluttered space, my thoughts would have been way more organized at that age and maybe my suitcase too! I traveled so much and was always forgetting things like tooth-paste and a hairbrush! Every hotel I ever stayed in was always getting a call for random things I forgot. Had my room been clean and my bed made, it would have made for a more harmonious mindset like I experience now.
How do you balance your life?
I balance my life pretty easily! I simply live by the mantra of unless the sky is falling or unless it's a life threatening issue with ones health, I don't get rattled. Life is too short, if you love what you do and commit yourself to a life of happiness with no contingents whatsoever you can make anything you want happen.
Do you have any
advice for a woman (or anyone) starting their own business?
I would advise anyone starting their own business is put in 110% even when you think you are tired, do more. Most likely you'll find you aren't tired after all. No excuses, you must be all in! I read a saying once that entrepreneurship is being willing to live a few years of your life like most people won't, so you can spend the rest of your life like most people can't! I keep it posted on my fridge and it's true! Being a successful entrepreneur is like being in an exclusive club. Take any fear you have and throw it away, it will keep you from moving forward. Only through your own personal experience will you know if it was right for you or not.
What do you do to keep your mind and body
healthy?
To keep my mind and body healthy I drink plenty of water, get plenty of rest, and truly listen to my body if it's telling me to rest, I rest. If it's telling me go all out I go all out. I have found an amazing balance for my mind, body, work and play. Everything is 110% effort. I also have learned to say "no" without feeling guilty. If something doesn't work for me physically, mentally, emotionally, personally, or professionally, I say "no" and call it a day.
What three things could you not live without?
My lavender eye pillow! I can't sleep without it! I travel so much and I like it really dark while sleeping plus the smell of the lavender is really relaxing.
Coconut oil! It has so many uses and health benefits! I can't be without it!
My Tracie Martyn Amla face cleanser! It keeps my skin glowing! Especially traveling between time zones!
