March 27, 2017

Meet Anne Jackson of Anne Jackson Pilates in Sherman Oaks

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Anne Jackson.

Anne, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Born and raised in a teeny, tiny, town in the South, I packed it up, and left home at 13 to pursue my dreams of tutus and tiaras. After graduating with Distinction in Dance from Interlochen Arts Academy, I spent a season with Sacramento Ballet. Los Angeles beckoned, and, since about 2006, has been home. I have had the pleasure of dancing for Kanye West, Jennifer Lopez, and X Japan with Stan Lee, Joe Jonas, and the LA Opera.

Pilates became a natural extension of my dance career, and I now have 10+ years of teaching experience. People and More magazines featured me as a celebrity trainer, kindly giving me the chance to share my unique approach to fitness. Anyone can do Pilates, not just the super-fit and bendy. I currently am at home in Studio City with my rescue puppy, Bard.

Has it been a smooth road?
About 2 years ago, I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder. Being in an industry where I need to bring enough energy for myself and my clients, it was crazy to suddenly realize I could barely make it through the day. After months of brushing it off, I finally reached out to my doctor. We found medicine that works, I went gluten free, and my symptoms are under control. Pilates empowered me through the process because I knew, even on bad days, I could still do something physical. I now work with a number of clients that also deal with autoimmune issues, and am glad to be able to offer them another level of experience.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Anne Jackson Pilates story. Tell us more about the business.
My workout is a boutique Pilates experience. I draw from my knowledge of dance, yoga, physical therapy, and fitness to enhance the traditional Pilates exercises. I work with injury recovery, pre- and postnatal, men (they do Pilates!), and active seniors.

I also strongly believe in constant education. Until just a few years ago, I had never been in a yoga studio. The way it complemented my dancing and Pilates was so exciting for me, and I just completed a 200 Hour Training Course. I’ll be teaching classes in the LA area within a few months, so please stay tuned. My next phase will also include nutrition coaching. Making the shift to gluten free showed me how important diet really is, and I feel inspired to share that with my clients.

How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
The impact personal fitness can have on quality of life is something we are just starting to understand. I see the demand for personalized fitness and nutrition growing, and mind-body disciplines like Pilates and yoga will boom.

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