My Welcome to the BASI Community

by Mareike Stapel

A year ago, when I decided to sign myself for the Comprehensive Global Format at BASI Pilates Italy and to do another certification program, my husband was shaking his head.

Amore mio, could you tell me please why you have to do another certification program… you are teaching Pilates since thirteen years, Gyrotonic since five, and Total Barre since four. You are a wonderful teacher. Your students love you. What are you still looking for?

I couldn’t give him an answer.

What was I looking for?
Maybe I was searching for some new inspiration?
Perhaps I wanted to find explanations for still unanswered questions?

I started the Comprehensive Global Format Certification Program in Prato/Italy mid of October 2016. The first 4 modules we were taught by Ashley Ritchie of South Africa. I will never forget the morning after the module 1. I felt every single muscle of my body and my eyes were the only part I could still move without pain. I was totally surprised by the level of precision and control I was asked for. And, I was extremely fascinated by the self confidence of Ashley while teaching the exercises and examining our performances.

For the next 4 modules we were honored to be taught by Maria Sylla from Greece. This young teacher was able to help me open up the door to the beauty of execution. The last modules were led by Ilaria Pulidori of Italy, who assisted us in the complete program from the first day on. Ilaria knows how to pass her passion for her work and I felt touched by her admiration for Rael Isacowitz and BASI.

I found a lot of new explanations and interesting interpretations for exercises I never understood completely. It got easier for me to sketch out my lessons with the Block System. And last but not least, I found the answer for my husbands question some months before… suddenly I knew what I was searching in my Pilates teacher life: A Pilates Family. A Comunity. Members to share thoughts with. People to grow with.

And here we are today, one year after BASI came into my life. The dream of having my own Studio came true. I opened Benefit Studio, and now I am a BASI Host. In May, we organized the first Masterclass, the “BASI Matwork Marathon”, in Milan. In November, 2017 we will host the first Comprehensive Global Format and Mat Program in Milan.

I am so happy and proud to welcome new and old teachers in this beautiful BASI Community!

Marieke Staple is a BASI Pilates graduate and Host Studio owner.