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Stacey Sloan brings a thoughtful, whole-body approach to Pilates, shaped by her background in physical therapy, exercise science, and personal experience with injury and recovery. In this Q&A, Stacey shares how she found Pilates, why it became such a powerful part of her career, and how she helps clients move with more confidence, comfort, and awareness in the studio and in everyday life.

Q: Tell us a little about yourself and how you first discovered Pilates.

I was introduced to Pilates while I was recovering from injuries related to training for a triathlon. I came from a strong exercise science background and was very much in a “go, go, go” mindset at the time. A family friend recommended Pilates as part of my recovery, and once I started, I quickly fell in love with it.

Pilates helped me slow down, become more intentional with my movement, and really understand my body in a new way. What started as part of my own rehab eventually turned into a passion. A few years later, while working full-time in physical therapy, I decided to pursue comprehensive Pilates teacher training through Polestar Pilates. It was intense — like having a second full-time job — but I’ve never regretted it.

Q: What is it about Pilates that makes it such a powerful modality?

For me, Pilates teaches you that less can truly be more. Coming from endurance training and running, it was a big mindset shift to slow down and focus on control, form, and awareness rather than pushing harder or doing more reps.

Pilates works the muscles that often get overlooked and helps you fine-tune how your body moves as a whole. Those “aha” moments, when something finally clicks or pain starts to ease, are incredibly powerful. Pilates helped me recover from injury, strengthen my core, and dramatically improve my low back health, and I see those same benefits in my clients every day.

Q: Your bio mentions that you excel at reducing and eliminating low back pain. Can you talk more about that?

A lot of pain shows up in one area of the body, but the root cause is often somewhere else. Someone may feel pain in their hip flexor or shoulder without realizing it’s related to their back or an imbalance on the opposite side of the body.

Pilates allows us to slow down and really examine movement patterns. We look at how the body is working as a whole — how someone stands, moves, stabilizes, and compensates. By addressing those deeper imbalances and strengthening the core in a functional way, many clients experience significant relief from low back pain.

Q: Pilates can sometimes be perceived as expensive. What would you say to someone who has that concern?

Pilates is an excellent form of cross-training for almost any activity, from golf to cycling or general fitness. It’s also low-impact, which makes it accessible to people of all ages.

While Pilates equipment and training are a significant investment, what you’re really paying for is individualized attention. In a one-on-one or small setting, we’re able to look at the entire body, not just the area that hurts. That holistic approach often uncovers things that get missed in more traditional or fast-paced environments.

Pilates may not always leave you sore, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t effective. In fact, many people are surprised by how strong, supported, and aligned they feel when Pilates becomes part of their routine.

Q: What can someone expect during their first session with you?

It starts with a conversation. I want to understand what brought them in, their health history, any injuries or pain points, and what they’re currently doing for exercise. Listening is a huge part of the process.

From there, I’ll assess posture and movement and introduce exercises that are appropriate for their body and experience level. I’m very mindful not to overwhelm people. I often provide simple home exercises and may use photos or videos to support learning and retention.

My goal is always to make sure the session feels safe, supportive, and productive, and that we’re moving forward in a way that makes sense for each person.

Q: How often do you recommend practicing Pilates?

For most people, once a week can be very effective, especially when combined with simple movements or exercises they can do at home. Of course, frequency depends on goals, availability, and whether someone is addressing pain, rehab, or performance. More sessions can be helpful, but consistency and quality of movement matter most.

Q: What’s one of the biggest misconceptions about Pilates?

A common misconception is that you need to do a lot of repetitions or feel intense soreness for Pilates to “work.” In reality, Pilates is about precision, control, and form. When you slow down and move correctly, you don’t need a high number of reps to see results.

Another misconception is that mat Pilates isn’t challenging. When performed correctly, mat work — and tools like the Oov — can be incredibly demanding and effective.

Q: Is Pilates really for everyone?

Absolutely. Pilates can be adapted for any age, fitness level, or ability. I take a lot of pride in teaching proper form, individual attention, and meeting people where they are. 

Q: What do you feel differentiates you as an instructor?

My background in exercise science and physical therapy gives me a deep understanding of the human body and movement, especially in rehab and pain-related situations. Beyond that, I truly care about my clients and their recovery.

I’m passionate about helping people get back to doing what they love — whether that’s golf, biking, hiking, or simply moving through daily life without pain. I also recognize that physical pain is often connected to bigger life experiences, and I try to approach each person with compassion and curiosity.

Q: What do you hope readers take away from this Q&A?

I hope readers walk away knowing that I’m deeply invested in helping people understand their bodies and feel confident in their movement. I want clients to feel heard, supported, and empowered — not rushed or treated like a number.

If you’re interested in working with Stacey to get back to doing what you love, schedule by calling or texting 303-472-6743.