Today we’d like to introduce you to June Chiang.
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?
The arts and dance have always been a cornerstone of stability and development in my life. My sisters and I were all exposed and expected to learn classical music. We had special Suzuki tapes playing all the time in the background so that we could learn to play music by ear. We went to a strict Royal Ballet Academy school for ballet. Technique and method were deeply intertwined into learning skills in music and dance. Completing and perfecting each performance level and exam was our educational mainstay. The teachers and their studios became second homes.
It might sound restrictive and militant, but, these early years taught me to care and appreciate the “why” of work. When done well, I could feel the creative process happening in real time and be happy with the time, energy and commitment that was pouring into a piece of music or a dance combination which transports a person away from daily modern worries and strife. That is real freedom.
The conflict between wanting my career to be socially and culturally acceptable versus needing “artistic freedom” came to a bursting point when I injured my ankle and could no longer take ballet classes. The loss of the music and movement was so crippling mentally. Being an optometrist just wasn’t enough. I was fortunate to find Pilates at a very special Pilates studio, Long Beach Dance Conditioning. My mind was blown away that we can move in ways in a very focused mental state and learn a different work ethic for a high level of performance. Work smarter, not harder. Quality of movement, quality of study and thoughtful practice produced far better results than sheer brute strength and force. Flash and bang were considered pointless potentially injurious pursuits.
In my own personal journey, I began to realize that working too hard and pushing oneself to the breaking point is counterproductive. I get injured or sick. I get demoralized and resentful. I actually learned more, became more skillful, enjoyed my life and relationships more if I focused on the quality and purpose of my work. Being a Pilates and GYROTONIC instructor and studio owner has been an amazing and challenging learning process.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. I tried becoming a health care professional and having a “respectable” and safe job and career. A desirable arc for a first generation Asian American. The only problem was, I have a creative physical nature. Trying to force myself into a system that just wasn’t a fit for my unconventional creative physically active being was self harming. I began to see that a traditional assimilate and “fit in” career would be the end of my true identity. So, I kept and continue to keep pushing through the norms and am deep into being a small business owner and entrepreneur in the health and fitness industry. I am done dealing with the idea of being an imposter. I accept and embrace my chosen career and life path. With this mindset, I don’t see obstacles. I see learning and growth opportunities. When something happens that I haven’t encountered before, I look at it whine a little, then clap my hands and say, “Yay! I am going to learn something important and new! Let’s do this!”
Since I have been teaching over 25 years, I also have the luxury of looking back and seeing the obstacles in a different light. Probably one of the main challenges has been I don’t look like a Los Angeles lead master Pilates instructor. As a result, I have unconsciously overcompensated and applied extra energy and effort into each encounter in order for my student to learn Pilates successfully. The great thing is, I now understand what a lot of women go through in order to succeed. They sacrifice self care and self appreciation for their careers. So many of my clients are executives, creatives and entrepreneurs and I have the opportunity to show them how to take care of themselves and succeed simultaneously. My obstacle has become part of why I am successful and I can impart my wisdom with other amazing beautiful women who are driven, ambitious and want to stay healthy.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Pilates On Robertson LLC?
Pilates On Robertson is a dedicated boutique Pilates and GYROTONIC(r) studio offering privates and duets on the equipment. A safe space for all people of all backgrounds who want to learn more about their bodies, build strength, increase balance, enhance posture and most of all focus on healthy ways to move. We focus on quality instruction. Our teachers are constantly learning and pushing each other to offer the best mind body connection experience possible. We want our students to understand the intention of each movement and how to control their minds and muscles so they can own their hard earned successes. We are just guides and our students have agency in their Pilates journey. We provide true value for those who are committed and consistent with the work. Transformation is inevitable.
Our goal is always about the long game. Asking questions rather than judging. Reinforcing positive body identity. Letting go of unattainable, unrealistic and unhealthy beauty standards and embracing our own individual natural amazing capabilities. Maximizing each individual’s strength, range of motion, stamina so that no matter the crisis of the day, they know they can handle it with grace and dignity. Keeping people youthful with positive mindsets for longevity and high performance levels. This is what Pilates On Robertson aims to do for its very beautiful and amazing students.
Something, that I have been thinking more about which sets us apart is the idea of community wellness. We aren’t here to just make people look good. We are here to build healthier bodies and minds that will go out into the community and perform at their highest levels, meet challenges and support the people in their families and social networks. Los Angeles may be a large sprawling city, but the community networks are tight and we are here to provide some of that supportive glue to keep our community strong mentally and physically.
What matters most to you? Why?
I value the willingness my students and teachers have to completely focus on the work and leave the negativity at the door. Because, that’s when the magic happens and transformation begins.
The onslaught of unreasonable images, ideas, demands, expectations can be brutal in Los Angeles. This is not a place for those wanting a slow pace or homogeneity. So, I value those who live with an open mind, are willing to treat others as they would have done to them, and those who allow others the space to live and pursue their dreams.
Pricing:
- Private With New Instructor — $80/hour
- Private with June — $150/hour
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.pilatesonrobertson.com
- Instagram: @pilatesonrobertson
- Facebook: PilatesOnRobertson
- Yelp: Pilates On Robertson
Image Credits
Samantha Jacoby
