Debbie Harris

Debbie Harris

Teaching Pilates is a saving grace. Showing up to help someone else keeps us balanced emotionally, mentally, spiritually, and physically. Being of service to others, or as St Francis wrote, “It is by self-forgetting that one finds,”- allows us to be present.  One breath at a time, one exercise, one student, one hour, one day at a time. Many of you know my personal story, (losing husband, home, all young adult kids leaving home for their young lives) and frankly the stress of the studio shutdown due to the pandemic echoed my past experiences. Reopening with so many precautions and protocols for safety or even virtual teaching has brought a new dimension or reality to our craft.

I am beginning to “see the light” – of being able to shift my hours, to reach out to more students, and to service our community more thoughtfully. Every single day no matter what, even in the midst of operating at less than full throttle, keep a positive attitude. An attitude of gratitude helps us be present in the moment, stay in grace, and connect to a well-spring of passion and love for Pilates.  Where there is love there can be no fear. Regret of the past, nor fear of the future exists where there is love in the present moment.

How do we show up every day and teach?  Whether virtually or in person with new challenges, I suggest we reflect about the gift we have to share. Trust your heart, know that you’ve done your own practice and have something to share no matter what, and help others stay connected to themselves.  Isn’t that, after all, what Pilates is? With Pilates we tap into our “powerhouse” – something deeper in my opinion than a structure of muscles and bones – a wellspring of energy and vitality that keeps us healthy.  Keep moving forward – or as Joe Pilates wrote, “With body, mind, and spirit functioning perfectly as a coordinated whole, what else could reasonably be expected other than an active, alert, disciplined person?”

Find your own strength, it comes from within.  Keep your own practice strong, it is there the answers lie! Have faith and trust this process.  Joe Pilates believed in his work, that it would heal the world. I am a believer! It has gotten me through the best of times and the worst of times, almost to the point of disregard for what so many deem important – medical doctors and financial security! Simply trust the process. I don’t know where we are headed, we only have today.  I BELIEVE my own studio, TriPilates, will continue, it may take a different form – but that is a story for another day.

Our Pilates community as a whole has connected on a deeper level, true compassion for each other and our craft has united us.  Body/Mind/Spirit!  Ironically enough, that is where the “tri” of TriPilates came from. I joined the PMA because I wanted to be a part of a bigger whole – not an isolated little studio in Chicago.  We are now a world fellowship, teaching with passion and love!

Debbie Harris


NCPT Pilates Teacher

Owner TriPilates, LLC.

Debbie Harris