Dearest Javier, 

Dammmm, where to start ... our journey started 10 years ago. Somebody gave me a hint, following my first workshop in Rdam. Felt great, amazing city, stunning vibes, a lot of memories, a few joints... 

The workshop was a mind-opener for me, so different, great approach, your sense of humor, your always positive sense of changing things & thoughts. Nothing is wrong, but you can approach it differently. You’re the one that could give the trust, the feeling, the direction by saying only a few words. Your humor was the complete mind-changer for me, why make it too serious, no body can change being too strict. Bodies can only change if the humor is close. If things don’t work, you laugh, go home and work for it. 

Writing this text is difficult, it feels like I’m ending an era. My years of years of weekly trip, alone in my car, my training, my therapy, funny talks, seeing things, live my life... it was/is more than a workout. You were always there... 

I’m on a crossroad now, have to take decisions in life, follow my intuition. I’m super thankful Javier, getting to know you, our marvel-talks, Starwars- Star Trek discussions, will always remember your funny sounds, your specific songs for specific exercises. The Imperial March, Darth Vader entering the room, for mountain climbs. Forever in my mind, with each and every client. Same as making coffee for you, espresso 2 spoons of sugar, to get you going. Do you prefer Iron Man above Spider man ? Or be more spider-man today, and tomorrow we can be Iron Man. ;) 

I know this is not “the end”, but after this intense periode it feels like it. You have a heart of gold, so willing to share, so gifted ... please, keep on doing “your thing” for years. We need you in this very special Pilates world. You are the one that can place things in perspective... 
Javier, can’t leave you yet, not saying goodbye, I’m just super thankful getting to know you as a trainer and friend. Lets not get Star Wars in between us, and let me say the words without you saying, you dammm Star Wars people ;)) 

“May the force be with you...” I will miss you…
​
Your “for ever” Padawan, Jeroen

Open letter of Jeroen Vancoillie @GRACEPILATESSTUDIO BELGIUM

I’ve been wanting to say this for a long time but I was waiting for the right time to say it. Already for a few years now there is a crazy trend and it feels strange. Last week ,I saw again  another advertisement for an opening of a Pilates "studio" in the neighbourhood, after seeing this I always get a bit shaky. 

It doesn't feel right.

12 years ago I started my business, feels like my training is still going on. I see my mentor every week and train very disciplined. Starting a studio is a work of years, it requires an enormous passion. You have to be driven and own a lot of knowledge and social skills. You can easily spend a few years studying and learning the basic education , only after that you can start deepening it.

With the startup of those so called Pilates "studios" I am very worried about their quality. There are institutes that give you "diplomas" after only one weekend of Pilates. If you compare this with the years of training of the professionals, this is peanuts.

It’s important to know that Pilates embraces the whole method,  so I assume that only a few mat workouts are taught in those weekend workshops. Unfortunately, this is only 10 percent of the whole method. If you have little respect for the craft it is unthinkable to open a "studio" with this kind of knowledge. By the way, I wouldn't put someone with issues on a Pilates mat for 60 minutes, there are so many other solutions for that.

Before the start of any training course, it is also important that you really immerse yourself in this method. 2-3 years of prior knowledge is really a minimum. I like to compare that with craftmen, because that's the way we should look at it. Imagine thinking of opening a butcher's shop without first mastering the craft. Bizarre, isn't it?
`
So I wonder what motivation someone has to start a studio without all that foreknowledge and passion for the job? It would be painful if it's just "trendy" to start with Pilates. It would be painful if it's just a financial motivation. It would be painful if those people think it's all that simple. It would be painful if you just think you can make a career switch just like this. It takes a lot of perseverance.

In a well-equipped business, tens of thousands of euros have to be spent on the purchase of equipment. Chairs, reformers, cadillacs, barrels, guillotine, mats… you name it, and then suddenly the work is reduced to a stinky rubber mat on a floor and a few "looks like the real stuff" exercises.

I feel absolutely no fear for my own business, or a certain competition because you can't really compare apples and pears with each other. But I do worry about our name and the wrong perception that people have of Pilates in our little world of real studios all over the world. If those people think that “their Pilates" is the same as what the professionals share then it does affect our business. Pilates is a free name, that fight was once lost in court. A very unfortunate case.

So please students and starters think twice when you're looking for quality, talk to the people who run the business. Are their hearts in the right place? Is it the real deal? Do they train themselves? Is it in their bodies? 

A studio requires a certain atmosphere, equipment, high-quality teachers, knowledge and passion. Pilates is so much more than just some abdominal and back muscle exercises. It's a way of life, very complete, for everyone and everything and with the right approach we have great results. Find yourself a great mentor that spent the money for the good cause. 

And if you're ever thinking of starting a studio, start with professionals first. Learn, practice, train, steal with your eyes and ears. Only after this period you can  decide to start something yourself or not.

Phew, it's been said.

“This is more than just a Pilates studio” is troef bij GRACE. Het is belangrijk om er thuis te kunnen komen. Bij ons transformeer je je levensstijl, heb je een plaats voor jezelf, een omgeving waar passie en authenticiteit samen komen. Meteen voel je een groot verschil met een ordinair fitnesscentrum. Er is plaats voor ontwikkeling in alle vormen… 

We worden in de huidige samenleving te vaak onder druk gezet en met hoe hiermee omgaan, kunnen wij je echt mee verder helpen. 

Wij coachen iedereen, jong en oud, sporters en niet zo’n echte sporters. 

Maar ook een opvallend aantal ondernemers die enorme nood hebben aan extra support. Het wordt een groot werkpunt voor de komende jaren om ondernemers aan het werk te houden - voor of na Corona - want dit heeft en is er flink ingehakt. We willen je helpen om je gezond te blijven en je weerbaar te maken voor de vele stressfactoren die op jou afkomen. Deze worden vaak onderschat, het is niet makkelijk om er telkens te zijn voor ander en energie uit te stralen. Het is vanzelfsprekend dat  je zelf hierbij  af en toe geholpen moet worden. 

Je mentale gezondheid is minstens even belangrijk als het fysieke. We gaan helpen met lichaamsbeweging, coaching ter preventie van burn-out, stress en hanteren ook concentratie bevorderende technieken. 

Pilates staat centraal en wat dit met mens doet is mooi om te zien.  Het lichaam transformeert maar ook mentaal groei je ook mee. Dit gaat stapsgewijs en vergt wat inzet en geduld. Maar eens je je jezelf er in vast bijt, dan doet het wonderen. 

Je kan bij ons douchen, omkleden en hoeft verder niets mee te brengen dan jezelf.

Deze coaching en trainingen kunnen in team, kleine groepen of individueel. ​