Makayla‘s Pilates journey began when was told that she would never dance again following injuries from a life changing accident. She was determined to dance again, and Pilates made that possible. She completed her 600-hour comprehensive Pilates certification at Balanced Pilates, MELT Method training, and level 1 bodyART certification in New York City. Makayla‘s passion for teaching and injury-prevention following her recovery is evident in her classes and sessions. She encourages students to listen to their bodies, strengthen their core, and develop a practice that feels beautiful for them. When she is not teaching, Makayla loves dancing, playing with her puppy Simba, and going on adventures with her partner, Tyler.
“Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves, like locked rooms and like books that are now written in a very foreign tongue. Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps you will then gradually, without noticing it, live along some distant day into the answer”
Q&A
What form of exercise do you teach?
Pilates & Dance Cardio
What does your exercise do for you - outside and inside?
I feel strong and resilient, both mentally and physically. When life throws another curveball or a mountain to climb, I have built the resilience through exercises to climb that mountain. I feel more flexible and fluid. I feel radiant and glow.
What is your favorite inspirational or motivational quote?
“Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves, like locked rooms and like books that are now written in a very foreign tongue. Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps you will then gradually, without noticing it, live along some distant day into the answer.”- Rainer Maria Wilke
What's your favorite reggae song? What does it mean to you?
Three LIttle Birds - It reminds me that no matter how difficult life can feel, or how beautiful or impossible a situation seems, the birds and the flowers are cared for.
What does nature mean to you? How does it inspire you?
Nature is love. Nature is gratitude. Nature is truly why we are here. To admire, to give, to share, to love. It inspires me at how beautiful something can be, and how much I want to breathe it in and take care of it.
How can our natural world help bring people closer to their true natures?
We are one with nature. Everything works in harmony. When we work with nature, we are reminded that we don't need much. We need love.
How can exercise make us stronger human beings, better able to connect with others and embrace everyone's right to thrive?
There's a bond created when we exercise together. We learn to move through exercise and life with grace. We learn to flow, and that we are not as different as we think we are.
Why is it important for us to connect with other human beings?
Essential. We were born for connection. There's a reason that the blue zones live longer - the biggest being their sense of community and belonging.
What does the phrase "One World, One Love" mean to you?
It is our ultimate destiny to realize that we have one beautiful world, and no race and no person is better or worse than one another. When we realize that, we are in harmony with ourselves, our world, and each other.
In a universe of exercise platforms, what makes OneFirelight special?
Being out in nature, and the inspiration of that and reggae music flowing through the classes.
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