Katie Hauser’s Pilates practice started in April 2024, about a year after the 43-year-old Traverse City resident began what she describes as a weight-loss journey.
“I was 283 pounds, and my goal weight was 190,” Hauser said. “When I got to 23 pounds from my goal, I decided I needed to tone but I didn’t want to lift weights as I already have a very physical job. I knew that I didn’t want to do yoga, so I started looking into Pilates and figured I’d give it a try.”
Hauser chose Pure Pilates partly because the studio is close to her home.
“I also loved the idea that it was woman-owned and the small class size was very enticing to me,” she said.
Today, her Pilates practice includes studio classes twice weekly and mat work at home two to three times a week. The ways Pilates has positively impacted her life are numerous, she said.
“Mentally, Pilates has taught me how to pay attention to my body, where I am in space, and what parts are doing what in that process,” she said. “And physically, I feel stronger. I can actually feel muscles in my arms and legs. It has become such a huge part of my life for maintaining my body physically and mentally.”
We recently caught up with Hauser to learn more about her Pilates practice and the difference it has made in her life:
Can you tell us more about how Pilates has helped you both physically and mentally?
Well, almost a year into my Pilates journey, I got to my goal weight — 188 pounds to be exact. For the first time in my life, I actually liked what was looking back at me in the mirror. I was getting to the point of jogging instead of speed walking and was feeling in the best shape of my life. Pilates did exactly what I was looking for, that toning.
Then on Feb. 20, 2025, I had an injury happen during a chiropractic adjustment where he separated my SI joint on my left side. It also left me with three bulged discs between L3-S1. I had to stop attending class, but not for lack of trying. I then went to physical therapy for 12 weeks, where I noticed a lot of what they were teaching me, I was doing in Pilates.
Tell us about the instructors you’ve worked with at Pure Pilates.
My instructors for that first year of Pilates were mainly Holly and Leslie. Both reached out, noticing my absence when I was out because of injury. I can’t tell you how much that meant to me. I explained to them my reasoning for not being in class, with hopes that I would be back soon. As my healing time kept getting pushed further and further, I decided to do private classes with Leslie until I felt like I could go back into a class setting. As I swore off any kind of chiropractic work for the rest of my life, my primary care physician was pretty confident that if I kept up with massage and Pilates that it would keep me in alignment, so this is where Pilates became such an important part of my life.
How are things going now with your injury?
A year later, I am still in pain and as with most things, some days are better than others. Even on those days when things are not good, I still show up to class because I know I will feel better afterward — as “they” say, motion is lotion.
What else do you enjoy doing for exercise?
I would choose to walk on trails any day. I am a big fan of the Boardman Trail, otherwise you’ll find me on a treadmill. I also love to swim and bike — pretty much anything to do with being outside. To say that I love nature would be an understatement. I did cardio drumming before my injury, and really enjoyed that. I am hoping to get back to that this month.
What would you like people to know about Pure Pilates and your experience at the studio?
I can’t say enough good things about Pure Pilates. Every instructor I have come across has been exceptional and knowledgeable. Leslie in particular was a huge help in my recovery process with my injury. She was always checking in and still does to this day. I feel like you get that one-on-one interaction at Pure Pilates. Every class starts with checking in on how your body is feeling and the smaller class sizes make it so the instructors can help with corrections.
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