Sarah Picot

Qualifications: Certified in Pilates by the PhysicalMind Institute in Santa Fe. Also trained at the Tribecca Body Works and Pilates Studio in NYC.

Personal History: I danced professionally for 10 years in NYC. I danced with a wide range of companies from the NY Knicks City Dancers to the American Ballroom Theatre to the contemporary ballet company, Complexions. I have over 19 years of teaching experience. I am currently on the faculty of the Washington School of Ballet in DC. I became interested in Pilates as a way to improve my dance technique. I fell in love with it and decided to get certified. I realized there was no resource for clients, including myself, who wanted to take advantage of the benefits of Pilates while pregnant. Under the advisement of top OB/GYNs, I developed a program that safely modifies The Method for each trimester of pregnancy. I believe that Pilates can benefit you throughout your life, no matter what age or condition you are in. I am married with 2 boys -- Stevie, age 4 and Ben, age 2. We live in northern Virginia where I have my Picot Pilates Studio.

Workout Philosophy: Correct form and technique are everything. Learning to do something properly in the beginning may mean things are taken a bit slower at first, but the results and benefits down the road are so much more striking and rewarding. Cheating to increase your range of motion is not only unsafe, but it robs you of the intensity of the workout.

Sucess Story: Chris of Washington, DC, came to me in his early sixties. He had had major shoulder surgery on both shoulders years earlier. He could barely lift his arms without lifting his shoulders. After about a year together, his range of motion had improved to about 90%. His back and leg flexibility dramatically changed. He has gone on to get his own certification through the Pilates Center in Colorado. Having him tell me I had changed his life was the most amazing thing to hear!