Life & Work with Alyssa Dawn of Pasadena

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alyssa Dawn.

Hi Alyssa Dawn, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I first discovered Pilates a dancer in high school, and later returned to it in my early 30s in search of low impact movement to complement strength training. I quickly fell in love with its deep mind-body connection and practice that both strengthens and nurtures. Soon after, I pursued The Lab Pilates 500-hr Comprehensive Teacher Training Program with Justine Malick, while balancing a full time job as a Corporate Recruiter. For months I juggled several hours of practice teaching and observation; within a year of completing my program, I obtained my certification as a Comprehensive Pilates Instructor.

I’ve been very fortunate to have wonderful mentors to guide me as both a mover and instructor, all of whom have helped shape the teacher I am today (shout out Ida, Justine, Dina, Annie, and Sabrina). I’m passionate about intentional movement that feels both dynamic and restorative. I combine my movement experience and the Pilates method to create functional flows, promoting proper alignment, full body strength, mobility and stability for better quality of life, inside and out. In its truest form, Pilates is a spiritual and healing experience. I see it as a personal invitation to thoughtfully connect with your body, discover a deeper sense of self and experience movement that aligns body, mind and spirit.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The hardest part of this journey so far is managing my time and mental health health as I juggle a full-time job as a Senior Recruiter, being present with loved ones and keeping up with my routines and well-being. There are more days than others that felt exceedingly overwhelming, but I have so much support from my husband, loved ones, mentors/peers and community, it feels less heavy to navigate. Allowing them to support me, keeping a mindset of grace for how much I have suddenly taken on and remembering what I am working towards, is all that keeps me going and I continue to learn more about myself along the way!

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I hold so much care and responsibility for every body I work with. I aim to create classes that feel balanced in functional and restorative movement, offering a practice of moving with precise engagement to help you develop a stronger mind-body connection. I’m incredibly grateful for the community I’ve fostered as Aligned Pilates – a space I’ve created to share my passion and work, and as an invitation to come as you are and experience movement that aligns body, mind, and spirit! I currently teach Group Reformer Classes at Be Pilates in Pasadena, offer 1:1 and group privates, host Mat and Reformer Pilates events, and collaborate with local business such as, The Pelvic Model in Highland Park, offering pelvic floor-informed Mat Pilates sessions.

Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
I pursued this work nearly 10 years into my corporate career, and at the age of 34. It is never too late. There is freedom in recreating yourself and lifestyle to every current and future version of you. It takes a lot of courage, some audacity, and an incredibly strong set of intentions to pursue change and bet on yourself. I explored a handful of other interests such as videography, microblading, crafting, virtual assistant etc. before finding Pilates. I knew Pilates was my passion because it felt entirely different from the others. I experienced this full body feeling that teaching Pilates was how I wanted to contribute to humanity – the intentions of this work have deeper meaning to me. Still, it was worth it to try all the others endeavors even though they didn’t work out – I realized I’d rather pursue something (scared with uncertainty of the outcome) and learn it’s not for me, than to always wonder. In the the end, there is always something you’ll learn about yourself and that’s still a win in my book!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alignedpilates.la
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@lyssdwn

Image Credits
Jose Bataclan
Studio – Be Pilates