Hilary Opheim

I have been in the fitness industry in Houston since the days of high impact aerobics and has been teaching Pilates for over 25 years. I started my fitness journey teaching aerobics and was one of the first to get certified with Johnny G and to teach Spinning in Houston. I was the Group Fitness Director at the University Club for over 10 years. I also set up their Spinning Program, one of the first Cycling studios in Houston. After years of teaching I found my knees in bad shape and was led to Pilates by one of my instructors at the University Club. I immediately fell in love with the Method. I practiced Pilates for years and with no more pain in my knees I knew this was something I was meant to do and was led to John Gossett, at the time with Physical Mind Institute. After my training I then set up the Pilates studio at the University Club and continued teaching in other studios after it's closure. In 2005 I opened up WAPilates and became PMA Certified. I founded Pilates has Heart in 2013 to honor client and friend Terri Dome, which raises money every year to help with awareness of Women's Heart issues and Cancer. 100% of all the proceeds go to Texas Heart Institute. I continue to study the Traditional Pilates work and have also studied with Jennifer Kries, Benjamin Degenhardt, Lolita San Miguel and others. "One thing I love about Pilates and as a Teacher is that you are constantly learning. It is a journey that never ends and I not only learn from other Pilates Teachers but also every student that comes through the Teacher Training Program." I have used my upbeat style to create an environment of positive and supportive guidance with the Teacher Training Program at WAP. "I created our program to really nurture the students and I wanted it to really bring the Mentorship aspect into our program, to really guide the students and share our knowledge with them. We are giving information to them that took me years and years to learn." "My favorite, each class, is seeing the progression of each student and how their personality and style comes out in their teaching."