Today we’d like to introduce you to Sonja Herbert.
Hi Sonja, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Black Girl Pilates®️ started with a need to see myself as a Black woman in the Pilates industry, Pilates had changed my life so much that I wanted to share this method with my Black community. My first teacher was a Black woman and I took class with Black people. After certification, I found that there were few if any Black instructors. I knew there had to be more so I set out to find them. On May 27, 2017, I founded Black Girl Pilates ®️ which is a collective of Black women who teach Pilates all over the world. We have been featured in magazines, articles, interviews, podcasts and continue to grow daily. In January 2018, Black Girl Pilates Tribe started to fill in the gap of education and knowledge around Pilates and its Black history. The Tribe is 1400 Black women members who want to learn more, become certified or find a Black instructor.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Initially, I in particular as the founder received a lot of backlash from white instructors who stated that I was being “racist and exclusive” when really I just wanted to create a safe space to be ourselves. As with anything, what is negative can easily turn into a positive. Many Black instructors found out about Black Girl Pilates®️ and joined the Facebook support group. BGPI’s reputation grew from there and more industry people wanted to know more about us.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Besides being a Pilates instructor, I am also a social worker (BSW) and currently pursuing my MSW through the Fordham University online program. I have found in my 15 years of teaching Pilates that even though I may have been out of social work for a decade to teach Pilates, those skills helped me become the Pilates teacher I am today. I plan to meld the two together once I have completed my graduate degree.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
You can reach out to me through blackgirlpilates@gmail.com, www.blackgirlpilates.com or my personal email sonjarherbert@gmail.com for collaborations, questions, etc.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.blackgirlpilates.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackgirlpilates/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/900346773460327/?ref=share
Image Credits
All belong to Black Girl Pilates ®️
