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About Me

Hello there, I’m Rachel Piper. 

I'm a comprehensive classically trained plus-size Pilates Instructor [NCPT] who believes in teaching the PERSON in front of me by finding and using the right tools to help them succeed in their movement practice.

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  • I’m a classical comprehensively trained Pilates teacher.

  • I’m Size Inclusive Training Academy certified.

  • I'm listed on the Size Inclusive Pilates Instructor Map

  • I’m a published author of Size Diverse Pilates Mat Book

  • I was published in The Pilates Journal (Australia)

  • I work in biotech, but am a Pilates teacher at Rivercity Pilates (local studio in North Liberty).

  • I’ve been a trainer for over 21 years.

  • I’m a fitness business coach for Profitable Pilates - Agency running the Size Inclusive Channel in Slack and taking coaching calls for your personal business needs.

  • I’m one of five teachers on the Online Pilates Classes.com (OPC) platform.

  • I’ve created workshops for Pilates Fusion EDU, OPC, and Corporate Club Pilates.

  • I’ve been featured on podcasts to talk about size inclusiveness in the Pilates industry.

  • I’m an advocate for the neurodiverse.

  • I’m passionate about diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE + I) and offer scholarships.

  • I’m Yin Yoga certified.

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I want to empower people to take charge of their movement journey while allowing me to guide them toward what they'd like to accomplish.  I want everyone to feel safe and included in a movement practice and in a fitness space.

Props, substitutions, and/or variations will ALWAYS be options during my sessions to ensure inclusion. 

 

I am a total NERD and Rebel/Questioner, so you'll always be able to ask me why we are doing something. The more you inquire the more you learn...and then you can take those ideas home with you!

 

What I Believe:

  • Every body is a different shape and size and this should be celebrated.

  • Every body moves differently because we all have "stuff" going on.

  • Every body can do Pilates, the body just may need a prop or variation. 

  • It doesn’t matter what the person next to you can or cannot do. You are two different people.

  • Listen to YOUR body and figure out what your body can do NOQ. Celebrate THAT!

  • Pilates was meant to be practiced over a lifetime; start small and build on it. We all have to start somewhere.

About: How I Teach

More About Me

I am a HUGE Star Wars fan! I've seen it all and have four tattoos (so far) related to Star Wars. I love that the characters are so diverse across the animated, live-action, and books.

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I am an advocate for the neurodiverse because my kiddo is a neurodivergent and I want to see acceptance, celebration, and accessibility for those that are like him.  There is such a huge gap in the world when it comes to the neurodiverse.

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I am always motivated to help others learn more about their personal learning styles and how to use that knowledge to be the best at what they do. 

"How you learn has nothing to do with how brilliant you are." -Henry Winkler

 

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I have been practicing and teaching in a bigger Pilates body for my entire "Pilates Life" - and I wouldn't change a second of it.

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I went through my 700+ hours of comprehensive teacher training AND a masters training in a larger body. I was extremely lucky to have mentors who believed in teaching the person in front of you.  I've work with people of all shapes and sizes with different things going on in their bodies. It has been an amazing experience!

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I am a Nationally Certified Pilates Teacher (NCPT) and provide continuing education credits (CECs) for teachers.

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We need more love and support in the world.

We need a world where anyone can feel safe and included in fitness spaces and in their community.

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I am working towards creating spaces for people who might not think they have a place in Pilates whether it's because of gender identity, race, size or shape, physical state, or being neurodiverse. I have high functioning anxiety and sensory processing hypersensitivity, so I want others to realize that they can find a place to be free in their movement practice with whatever it is they have going on.

CEC Provider
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