Q&A with Dawne Likhodedova, founder of bePilates

We took 15 minutes for a quick Q&A with Dawne Likhodedova, founder of bePilates, who took up the practice as rehabilitation after a car accident as a child left her with the threat of never being able to walk again… She tells us how it changed her life.

Q. How did you get into Pilates?

A. I started Pilates about 20 years ago, following a car accident. I smashed the right half of my pelvis and had to have a plate and screws put in place to hold me together.
I was told that I may not walk normally again (let alone play sports or dance, which I loved) and what got me into and kept me with Pilates was my dancing. As I healed and life got more or less back to normal, I met a boy who introduced me to Dancesport. He was looking for partner and thought I would like it. He was right. Not only did he introduce me to the competitive world of ballroom dancing, it was also through the studio where we trained that I met my husband, and so am grateful for this chance meeting that changed my life.

Q. What, for you, makes a great Pilates class?

A. Movement! We don’t move slowly and in a controlled way in life – we are all dynamic, flowing movers by nature. A fun, challenging class that promotes freedom of movement takes top marks in my book.

Q. What other sorts of workouts do you enjoy?

A. In addition to Pilates, which is my favourite, I also enjoy weightlifting. Pilates makes me strong and the dancer in me likes to show off! I have been working on my shoulders and arms through Pilates and weights so that I can do pull-ups – and now I can! It’s amazing how great you feel after you reach a challenging but attainable goal.

Q. What’s your choice of healthy meal?

A. Southern Italian cooking has to be my favourite. My mother’s family is Italian and orange and lemon salads were a summer staple; they remind me of my great-grandmother’s easy approach to food and life. Whisk a bit of lemon juice with olive oil and toss with thinly sliced oranges and lemons (minus the bitter white bit), and add some salt, pepper and parsley.

Q. What’s your fave cheat treat?

A. Pancakes! I’m from Pennsylvania, so the only way to eat them is with maple syrup.

Q. And your top workout wear?

A. For teaching, I wear Hey Jo and Adidas by Stella McCartney; for working out, I love Lululemon, Sweaty Betty and Every Second Counts.

Q. What’s next for bePilates?

A. We are about to launch a Pilates concept called Bodhi exclusively to the studio, which I am really excited about – imagine TRX merged with a Pilates class.
I don’t have grand ambitions of opening a chain of studios around the globe or even throughout the UK. I want to have just this one studio and I want it to run well. I want bePilates to support the industry and be part of an encouraging and supportive network of teachers who work together to spread health and wellness. But ask me in a year, after I’ve had more sleep. Maybe grand ambitions will come with a bit more rest!