Issue #432
Wednesday, May 22, 2024
Writing a Pilates Book
Part 1
by Eme Cole
If only I had a nickel for every Pilates professional who has said to me: “I have always wanted to write a book, I just don’t know where to start…” Hopefully, this article will be the push you need to finally write that book! Even if you don’t aspire to write a book, perhaps you’ll read on for inspiration and to fully appreciate what goes into it.
Back in the early 2000’s I attended several Mind Body Spirit Pilates conferences and soaked in the endless creativity. I was so desperate to remember every new and innovative Pilates exercise that I began documenting them. At first, I wrote down descriptions, but I couldn’t always dictate the full execution. Then, I had my mom come to my Pilates studio and take photos of me doing the moves- as that is how I learn best. Before I knew it, I had compiled over one thousand exercises. In 2005, I decided to share them with our community. During the span of two years, I created several photo encyclopedia reference guides and self-published them on Amazon. I have since sold over 3,600 copies and received residual income of $40,000. Granted, that’s spread out over nineteen years, so I won’t quit my day job!
It feels great to find a way to share the knowledge that we acquire in this industry. I love helping clients through Pilates practice (day job), but I also take pride in being able to help enrich the craft of my colleagues (side hustle). It is my intention for this article to further share the wisdom I have gained.
Eme Cole earned a BS in Kinesiology, an MS in Exercise Physiology, and received her comprehensive Pilates certification from The PhysicalMind Institute in 2002. She owned a Pilates studio in Chicago for 12 years, during which she self-published 7 ‘Pilates Expanded’ manuals on Amazon. After selling her studio she moved to Colorado, became a certified Emergency Medical Technician, and invented/patented the ‘Pilates Unfold,’ which is a reformer and tower unit that folds up to the wall like a Murphy Bed. Eme recently opened a Pilates studio in Snowmass Colorado, serves on the Aspen Writers Network steering committee, and just published her first novel: ‘The Roaring.’ She can be contacted at www.PilatesExpanded.com.