A Crash Course on Anti-Racism

A New York Pilates teacher and activist’s webinar on bigotry and bias garners an overwhelming response.

- By Anne Marie O’Connor

WITH THE COUNTRY—AND THE WORLD —FINALLY WAKING UP TO MANY MANY WAYS RACIAL INJUSTICE AFFEC T S BLACK AND BROWN PEOPLE, it’s not surprising that the Pilates world would also begin to reflect on how it treats people of color and how it can afford them more opportunities to be successful as students, teachers, teacher trainers, studio owners, presenters and role models. “After the eight minute, 43 second video lynching of George Floyd, the Pilates community decided that they wanted to be involved,” says Sonja R. Herbert, the founder and creator of Commando Fitness Collective and Black Girl Pilates. That inspired her to develop a webinar called Introduction to Anti-Racism for Pilates Studios and Instructors. Pilates Style talked to her about the project.