How To Pivot During A Global Crisis

BY LYNDA LIPPIN

Lynda Lippin, CEO Lynda Lippin Pilates, LLC, Founder of Pilates Teacher Mastermind® and Strong Bones Pilates shares her inspirational and authentic story of what it takes to be pandemic proof well how to pivot through it all really! Lean in to her own words below:

Ican remember my first Pilates Class at Purchase College. I was the VP of Finance for Student Government, and in 1987 we were funding the studio. Luckily, this made prices cheap for students, because I was addicted!

My body felt better And I loved the apparatus and attention to detail Pilates got me through my junior and senior years, and I kept up my mat practice when I moved to Philadelphia in 1988 to get my Ph.D. in Philosophy.

PIVOT #1 - PILATES CLIENT TO TEACHER

Lesson #1 - Be open to what the universe has to offer, even if it’s not quite what you planned.

In 1989, I was reading the City Paper, and an ad popped out at me, “Exercise Instructors Wanted Pilates background preferred ”

“Hmmm,” I thought, “that could be a fun part time gig ”

And it was! I was the only person to apply who knew Pilates and had worked on the apparatus. I quickly taught myself more about anatomy and various injury rehab protocols, learning as I went. I was paid $6/hour, but didn’t care, because I learned so much

PIVOT #2 - PILATES TEACHER TO STUDIO OWNER

Lesson #2 - I can do hard things, during hard times.

While I was still in graduate school, I had a client approach me about opening a Pilates Studio in the wealthy suburbs of Philadelphia. He had very bad back pain, and was traveling back and forth to Australia for work. After a few months his back was great, and he knew that people would want to do this work and we could sell this.

The biggest issue then was educating people about what Pilates was Nobody outside of NY and LA had really heard of it I did so much outreach to physicians, PTs, chiropractors, spa owners, and massage therapists!

Of course, this wasn’t helped by the Pilates trademark lawsuit (Pilates is now a generic term), so all of our marketing sounded a bit cagy - “exercises based on the work of Joseph Pilates.” But we did good work, clients felt better, and they started to refer people over.

PIVOT #3 - NEW STUDIO WITH PHYSICAL MIND TRAINING & CHAIRS

Lesson #3 - It’s OK to start again

While I was still in graduate school, I had a client approach me about opening a Pilates Studio in the wealthy suburbs of Philadelphia He had very bad back pain, and was traveling back and forth to Australia for work After a few months his back was great, and he knew that people would want to do this work and we could sell this

The biggest issue then was educating people about what Pilates was. Nobody outside of NY and LA had really heard of it. I did so much outreach to physicians, PTs, chiropractors, spa owners, and massage therapists!

Of course, this wasn’t helped by the Pilates trademark lawsuit (Pilates is now a generic term), so all of our marketing sounded a bit cagy - “exercises based on the work of Joseph Pilates ” But we did good work, clients felt better, and they started to refer people over

PIVOT #4 - MOVE TO PROVIDENCIALES, TURKS & CAICOS

Lesson #4 - Listen when opportunity knocks, even when it’s a huge change

In 2005, I had an opportunity to teach a Pilates Teacher training in Turks and Caicos, and while we were there my husband and I both received job offers I had gotten to a point where I hated running my studios, had gone through a personal bankruptcy, and really needed a change We said yes, and within 10 weeks we had sold everything and moved to the Caribbean!

PIVOT #5 - MOVE TO PARROT CAY BY COMO

Lesson #5 - Everyone just wants to feel & function better, even the A-list

In 2007, I was having a tire changed when I received a phone call from the spa manager at Parrot Cay, an A-list private island resort I had already been in touch with them when I moved, and they asked if I could come over and cover for their Pilates Teacher while he was away on annual leave I, once again, said yes!

I took that boat twice a day, 6 days per week for 6 weeks, and in the end I received a job offer. In hotels like this, when they really want one person they find a position for your spouse, and hubby and I moved over in September 2007.

I trained several staff members, including our yoga teacher, so I had replacements if I was sick or away, and added new programming into the spa class schedule This is also when I started to record Pilates audios for clients to travel with, and teach online using FaceTime or Skype

PIVOT #6 - BACK TO NYC

- You can go home gain ere very old and starting to get cided to return to the US With my Classical Pilates Teacher, and maintained with other teachers was invited to join the team at Tribeca as a Master Teacher. de with that awesome team, while ng my online clients and some f h di

PIVOT #7 - FULLY ONLINE

Lesson #7 - Pilates doesn’t require a studio

This was the best lesson of all! I started teaching all of my Pilates clients online in March of 2020, and they all did well with mat. Then I started to add in small, inexpensive tools to mimic the studio apparatus

Tubing with handles mimic springs Foam rollers mimic Pilates spine correctors Add some weights and a Magic Circle, and you have yourself a pretty complete home studio

I’m able to be super creative, while keeping everyone safe, and my clients are all continuing to see results - they are all feeling and functioning better than ever!

Lesson #1 - Be open to what the universe has to offer, even if it’s not quite what you planned.

Lesson #2 - I can do hard things, during hard times.

Lesson #3 - It’s OK to start again

Lesson #4 - Listen when opportunity knocks, even when it’s a huge change

Lesson #5 - Everyone just wants to feel & function better, even the A-list

Lesson #6 - You can go home gain

Lesson #7 - Pilates doesn’t require a studio

About Lynda

For over 33 years, Lynda Lippin’s clients (including Donna Karan, Laurie Anderson, and Joe Walsh) have trusted her to help them get stronger and function better, with less pain In fact, former Financial Times travel editor Rahul Jacob says that Lynda’s the best Pilates teacher and personal trainer he's ever worked with.

Lynda was a founding member of PMI, and has been a PMI certified Instructor for 30 years.

Currently, she owns Lynda Lippin Pilates, LLC, where she helps women over 50 with osteoporosis increase their bone density, and eliminate chronic pain through her online Strong Bones program, classes, and private sessions. She also serves Pilates Teachers through the Pilates Teacher Mastermind®, a one-year business accelerator and continuing education program

Take Aways

At this moment in time, you can really do what you want in your Pilates business, or any business. I chose to not go back into the studio. That’s right - I’m fully online! My clients want to be safe, in less pain, stronger, and more mobile I’m able to create completely custom designed workouts for them online. My clients have never had a problem paying a higher price point to work with me. In fact, I would say that online is even better, since it makes Pilates more easily accessible to busy people who need it. My advice to all entrepreneurs is that you embrace change, embrace creativity, and look for the simplest and most effective ways to connect with and serve the most number of clients possible. Make mistakes and learn from them. It worked for me!