While I stopped counting COVID days and months a while back, I can’t help but take a moment to reflect on where I am today. I’ve changed – and I’m certain you have as well.

I started teaching fitness in March 1986 at a very small boutique studio on East 35th Street. I had seen a friend from college in a dance performance. Her body was chiseled and alive in a way that shed the puffiness of our college bodies eating dorm food. Margaret invited me to teach at the studio, and I was hooked. I stayed for three years before the owner closed the studio. I then started my own fitness business in March 1990.

In 1995, a woman in my neighborhood asked “why do you only teach the skinny women?” She peaked my curiosity in such a way that I invited eight full figured women to my apartment to exercise one Saturday morning. I fell in love with the ability to help a fuller body move with grace and ease in the body she is in right now. Thus, Plus-Size Exercise was born and I completed my thesis in January, 1998.

We held annual retreats each summer upstate NY for 20 years. I LOVED this work as well! Bringing women together for yoga in the morning, ballet classes, time outside, swimming, laughing, playing and singing around the campfire was like camp for adults. The camaraderie was strong and many friendships still flourish today.

The greatest changes I saw in my time in the plus world was the shift in marketing (thank you Dove!), the inclusivity of full figured trainers (thank you Roz!) and the arrival of more programs available to fuller – and older – bodies. I finished teaching at our last location at 890 Broadway sometime around 2015.

I came “out of retirement” on March 14, 2020, when a client texted and suggested I teach a group class on Zoom. The response was overwhelming. The opportunity to come together and truly MOVE through the pandemic was a lifesaver – for both you and me. To know that we would be together each Tuesday and Thursday from 6-7pm kept me stable and strong. You offered faith, hope and humanity in your participation each week in class. Together, we have held the space for three years.

And now, it’s time for a pause…

Tonight we’ll finish this structure of class with our yoga series. March 21 and 28 I will be teaching Technique, Trust and Tomorrow – focusing the time on YOU. Technique corrections, suggestions, how to continue to develop trust within yourself and recommendations for moving forward with your active lifestyle.

Me? Still taking dance classes two to three times a week and working more on my professional speaking opportunities. And focusing on my quality of life while continuing to slim the crazy. The future of teaching for me? This summer I’ll be seeing my jazz dancer teacher who is now 80 and still teaching a bit, so you never know.:)

I am humbled to have been able to serve you during this difficult time in our world. We have laughed, cried, stretched, moved, imagined, and contributed so much over the past three years. Because of you, I am a better person and a better teacher.

I have changed.
And I know you have also.
We’re supposed to.

Much love to you today and always.
Wishing you a peaceful relationship within yourself,
-Rochelle