Beyond the Reformer
Welcome to Beyond the Reformer, the podcast where Pilates professionals and enthusiasts come together for thoughtful conversations, genuine insights, and inspiring stories. Join Nic every Monday morning to feel more connected, inspired, and empowered in your Pilates practice, teaching, and beyond…
Beyond the Reformer
Understanding hypermobility and its impact on the body with Jeannie Di Bon
The pain, fatigue and anxiety you’ve been living with isn’t in your head, it’s a sign of something deeper your body has been trying to tell you.
Nic is joined by movement therapist and Pilates educator Jeannie Di Bon to explore the realities of living with hypermobility and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS). Jeannie was diagnosed later in life after years of unexplained symptoms, and her journey led her to create The Zebra Club, an online platform supporting hypermobile people around the world.
They talk about what hypermobility really means, the misunderstandings that exist even in the movement space, and how Jeannie’s Integral Movement Method helps people regain strength, stability and trust in their bodies.
Timestamps
00:00 Welcome and introduction
00:39 Jeannie’s personal journey with hypermobility
02:25 Discovering Pilates and how it changed her body
04:14 Early challenges training in classical Pilates
10:03 Understanding EDS and how hypermobility shows up
15:03 Teaching hypermobile clients with safety and care
23:05 How movement therapy transformed Jeannie’s life
26:14 The six principles of the Integral Movement Method
34:21 What gentle expansion really means
34:48 Research around fatigue, pain and pacing
36:19 Learning to listen to your body and build trust again
43:31 Why Jeannie created The Zebra Club
48:20 Using tech to make support more accessible
50:34 Her upcoming book and plans for teacher education
56:42 The future of health and fitness for hypermobile people
59:52 Quick-fire questions
If you found this episode helpful, please share it with a fellow teacher or someone living with chronic pain.
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Connect with Jeannie:
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