Today we’d like to introduce you to Cynthia Rube Klein.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Originally from Chicago, I moved to LA 20 years ago to pursue acting. I worked a corporate job from home which allowed a flexible schedule to do auditions and attend yoga classes around town. I have scoliosis and my curvature was 3 degrees away from me wearing a back brace in middle school. I swam every day to avoid wearing that brace.
I do not have a flexible body (couldn’t touch my toes) so when I was asked to help a friend get her hours for Pilates training, I didn’t think I’d be able to do it. After losing my job in 2008, my pilates instructor suggested I take teacher training to be a Pilates instructor. I was booking acting work and very reluctant as I didn’t think I was meant to be a teacher. But I loved anatomy and also I loved people. So I took Stott Pilates training and many workshops and became a PMA certified (now NPCP) Instructor. Before the Pandemic, I was teaching 18 group reformer classes and several privates six days a week. I’ve always maintained my yoga practice mostly attending classes through Yogaworks wherever they fit in my schedule. I was even able to get my husband Ray who has back pain to join me. We love to travel and wherever we go, we find yoga and pilates classes to attend as part of our trips. Ray and I like to enjoy our life in balance the best we can. So a good New Year’s Day would start with a yoga class and then a burger and a beer! Last fall, I faced my fear and signed up to take the YogaWorks 200-HR teacher training led by Joe Kara and Megan McCord. It changed my life!
I’m still not the most flexible person, but I understand that yoga is not just about the asanas. I can appreciate the effects on my mind, body and spirit. I am able to combine yoga, pilates and my comedy chops to inspire people to move their bodies. I’ve decided to take another leap and I’m currently training to be a Franklin Method Level 1 Instructor. I just bought my very first disarticulated skeleton which I’ve named Dahmer (for obvious reasons)! There is no stopping me now! The Queen Chair is the name of my business and it was named so because my nickname is Queen and I literally have a chaise lounge that I call the Queen Chair. Creative Wellness is what I would describe as to what the Queen Chair offers. I teach virtually through Zoom and FaceTime now that the Pandemic has forced the Pilates and Yoga studios to close. I also do a 1-minute share on Instagram/Facebook called “Your Daily Dose of Cyn”. This is my way to connect with the people and give them info and some laughter. I’d say I’m like George Bailey in “It’s A Wonderful Life” as I am always connecting people and just want everyone to feel better physically and mentally.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I literally just got my business checking account set up six weeks before everything shut down in LA! All in person auditions, in-home yoga privates, group classes and privates at the Pilates studio in Burbank that I was a contractor at were abruptly stopped. Zoom was a 1970’s children’s television show to me and I had no idea how to teach virtually. Thankfully I had lightboxes for acting self-tapes and a MacBook Pro. My improv training really helped me to create my virtual classes which I’ve now been teaching since March 2020. And I’ve had more commercial audition opportunities this year than I have in the past five years!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a quirky girl who uses my comedic chops to get people of all ages to move their bodies through a blend of pilates and yoga! I am known for my attention to detail and my energy. I also have quite an eclectic taste in music and love to play appropriate tunes while teaching people to breathe and to “keep your shoulders out of your ears!” I am super proud that I’ve been able to stay somewhat in shape, touch my toes and help my clients to do so also! I am definitely a Gemini and I truly do care!
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
I am so inspired when I see my older clients moving the way they do. My oldest client is almost 84 years old. Her spirit and her physical body are a testament to what staying active and connected can do for a person. Covid-19 has shined a huge light on how important one’s health is. But it’s not just the physical fitness of the body that matters. It’s the mind body connection that will keep us living happier and more fulfilled lives.
Contact Info:
- Email: thequeenchair2020@gmail.com
Image Credits
First pic in trees Laura Burvill, Second pic with husband and cat Smudge of me doing yoga Mikael Theimer
