March 14, 2017

Meet Elaine Rensing of Starr Pilates in Hollywood

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Elaine Rensing.

Elaine, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I was dancing professionally and I would go to Pilates classes at a studio a where a fellow dancer taught. My body really felt different after I would take even a basic mat class. I remember some of the hip strengthening exercises were extremely difficult for me. That blew my mind because I was in classes and rehearsals 4-6 hours a day and thought I would be really strong in that department. I was so intrigued by the work that I got my Pilates certification pretty soon after. I was certified under master trainer Marie-Jose Blom. During that time I was dancing with City of Angels Ballet and Artistic Director Mario Nugara is a big proponent of movement integrity. He was really supportive and brought in really amazing movement educators such as Physical Therapist Eva Nemeth and ballerina Stephanie Saland to coach us. I will always remember Eva saying, “What is healthy is also aesthetically pleasing.” In dance everything is about line and adjusting a movement by a millimeter or two can make all the difference. I have noticed this in my clients as well where the smallest change in alignment completely changes how the exercise affects the body and how the client connects to the movement.

I took my knowledge of anatomy and alignment and started to apply it to all disciplines. I wanted to explain to my clients how to understand how their bodies were working not only in Pilates but in yoga or a spin class or on a jog. After teaching for close to a decade I started to feel the need for myself to grow. I wanted to extend the creativity that dancing and teaching had allowed me so I started Starr Pilates in February last year. It has been so fun collaborating with talented photographers and revolutionary fitness brands to spread the word about Starr Pilates. I love really getting to know and learn how I can help people in the community where I work and live.

Great, 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?
The biggest challenge for me is to be where I am and not rush the process. I have a lot of ideas. I’d love to offer nutrition coaching. I’m streamlining online Pilates services for clients that travel often for work. There’s a lot to be learned each step of the way that has helped me trust myself as the business grows and offer the best possible for clients.

Please tell us about Starr Pilates.
Starr Pilates currently offers private and duet sessions. Many clients say Starr Pilates sessions have the benefits of a therapeutic practice while being a kickass workout. We use a variety of equipment such as the Wunda Chair, Arc, Cadillac and Reformer to keep workouts fresh and challenging and offer varying perspectives on traditional Pilates exercises. I want clients to be educated because once you know the why and how that’s when lasting change happens. I’d like to think clients leave Starr Pilates with a better understanding of and appreciation for their bodies. Working on that deeper level to address issues and concerns leads not only looking better but feeling better as well.

Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
For a while my family lived in Fairfax Virginia. Our house backed up to the woods and I could spend forever out there. There was a creek and I remember seeing deer. And there were lightning bugs in the summertime.

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