Interview with Alicia Head
Lisa Hubbard
Alicia Head has been involved with Pilates, Dance and GYROTONIC® for over 21 years and she is still learning! Alicia loves to watch movement with an 'inner eye', studying quality over quantity - the 'how' and 'why', not just the 'what'. She explores ways to cue movement from the inside out to improve skills, but also to promote a healthier way of being. Alicia believes that moving with integrity can be deeply rewarding as well as beautiful to watch. She works with teachers and dancers primarily, but also has 'normal people' as clients. Her Pilates training is from Long Beach Dance Conditioning, developed by Marie-Jose Blom and she has studied GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS® with Juliu Horvath. She is the owner of UP Studio in Long Beach ( formerly known as Long Beach Dance Conditioning), is a Teacher Trainer for the LBDC program (now held at Studio 3 Pilates in Anaheim), and is a Specialized Master Trainer for GYROKINESIS.
Tell us about a little about your background and how you discovered Pilates.
I was living in San Francisco and studying ballet. I had an injury and went to a lecture by Elizabeth Larkam given at St. Francis Memorial Hospital Center for Sports Medicine. Then, I started taking regular classes at the Dance Medicine clinic there and worked with Elizabeth, Patrice Whiteside, Nora St. John, Joy Petrash, and Mercy Sidbury.
Where did you receive your Pilates training?
With Marie-Jose Blom, who created the Long Beach Dance Conditioning Teacher Training program.
How long have you been teaching?
23 years
Where do you teach?
UP Studio (formerly Long Beach Dance Conditioning) What is your favorite Pilates exercise and why? Rolling Like a Ball, because provides massage through deep strength, rhythm, coordination, balance and flexibility. And it's FUN - teaches you not to take yourself so seriously! What are some of your hobbies and interests? Choral music, hiking, good food, philosophy and religion.
Who has been one of the most influential persons in your journey of Pilates?
Without a doubt, Marie-Jose Blom
What is your favorite song/food and drink?
"Let it Be" by the Beatles/Mexican food/India Pale Ale - as bitter as possible!