In this podcast I get to chat with the inimitable Olga Tamara. Creator and owner of Authentic Pilates International (APEI) and Authentic Pilates Studio in Sydney.

I’ve known Olga for almost 10 years now. When we first met, I hadn’t been in Australia very long and really knew very few people in the industry. I was looking to further my knowledge of Classical Pilates after studying it in Canada. Olga was incredibly welcoming to me, I have learnt a great deal from her and she has introduced me to a community of incredible, like minded instructors - many of whom I consider great friends today. 

I don’t think I’m alone when I say that Olga has created a real sense of inclusivity in the Pilates world here in Australia. Classical Pilates has been known to be very insular in the past, but Olga has brought down many of those barriers to learning. In fact she won Educator of the Year in the Pilates Journal Awards last year, which is so well deserved. 

Olga also facilitates and runs Classical Pilates conferences, where she brings in some amazing talent from overseas for us to learn from. She is about to host the next workshop in Sydney this coming October 18-20 (there’s still a few tickets available!).

In this interview we talk about:

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  Olga’s varied, creative careers: From dancer, to actress, movement teacher and fitness studio owner (including Jane Fonda workouts!) to events management and now as a Pilates studio owner and teacher trainer.

  
  

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  Her introduction to Pilates as a dancer and her retroduction to it years later

  
  

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  Her early days as a studio owner and how she manifested her clients from the beginning

  
  

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  How she stays inspired over the years and the varied clientele that she has taught in the past

  
  

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  How she launched her Classical Pilates teacher training program and how it has evolved over the years

  
  

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  How she makes Classical Pilates training accessible to a contemporary audience

  
  

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  The work that goes into creating a successful conference (spoiler: It’s a lot of work!)

  
  

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  Her feelings of burnout in her early career and how she overcame that.

  
  

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  Her views on the current state of the Pilates industry.

  
  

Thinking of going to the conference? A few tickets are still available: Book here

https://authenticpilateseducation.com/event/apei-classical-pilates-conference/

In the podcast, Olga mentions:

Lateral Thinking: Edward De Bono

https://www.amazon.com.au/Lateral-Thinking-Creativity-Step-Step/dp/0060903252

You can reach Olga via

https://authenticpilateseducation.com/

And via socials:

@authenticpilatesstudiosydney

@apei_sydney

Thank you Olga!

More about Olga:

Olga began her career as a professional classical dancer with the Australian Ballet Company in 1971 and first experienced the wonders of Pilates during those first precious years. She toured with the company for seven years then enjoyed a successful career performing on stage and television as an actress from 1979 until 1984. Her interest in movement didn’t waver during that time so in 1985 she became a certified fitness instructor.

Olga opened her first business “Designing Moves” in 1986. She taught body conditioning classes, movement classes to aspiring young actors and worked freelance as dance coach at McDonald School of Performing Arts as well as managing the corporate gymnasium at “Carlton United”.

Over the years Olga trained in a number of Pilates studios however it wasn’t until she experienced the essence of the Authentic Pilates Method with Cynthia Lochard that she was truly inspired. Impressed by the authenticity, quality and integrity of the NY Pilates method, Olga became a certified instructor of “The NY Pilates Method” and “Romana’s Pilates”.

Olga is founder and manager of the Authentic Pilates Studio, Lilyfield NSW and is Principal Trainer of Authentic Pilates Education International Teacher Training Program. Olga has presented a number of workshops and training seminars nationally, NZ and London. She presents ongoing continuing Education seminars and invites International guests to present at the APEI Pilates Conference in Sydney NSW.

Olga was PAA Vice President from 2010 to 2015 and is currently on the board of the PTA (Pilates Teachers Association UK).