Beyond the Reformer

How Pilates Helps Manage Chronic Conditions with Clara Farque

• Nic Lenny • Season 2 • Episode 15

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Nic sits down with Clara Farque, a Pilates instructor, medical doctor, and chronic illness advocate, to explore the role Pilates has played in managing rheumatoid arthritis, preventing burnout, and creating a more holistic future for healthcare.

Clara shares how a life-changing diagnosis at 18 led her to Pilates and how she balances her work as a doctor with teaching and mentoring.

This episode takes an honest look at the intersection of chronic illness, movement, and medicine.

They also chat about the realities of showing up authentically on Instagram, how Clara built a loyal online community, and what Pilates teachers need to do to prevent burnout.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to Clara

01:11 Clara’s journey to discovering Pilates

01:27 Living with arthritis and its challenges

03:47 Practising Pilates during university

04:18 Training to become a Pilates instructor

07:09 Balancing a medical career with teaching Pilates

09:34 How Pilates has impacted Clara’s life and career

12:33 Clara’s philosophy on teaching and adapting Pilates

21:19 Insights into holistic health and chronic illness

33:38 Specialising in elderly care

38:00 The importance of injury checks

40:02 Empowering clients and encouraging self-awareness

42:16 Mentoring new teachers and tackling imposter syndrome

52:01 Juggling life as a doctor, mum, and Pilates teacher

53:33 The challenges of growing on social media

56:54 Embracing authenticity as a Pilates instructor

01:03:45 Quick-fire questions

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review and share it with your Pilates friends. It really helps us reach more people with thoughtful conversations like this.

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