Support Khianti’s New Orleans Pilates Studio
Donation protected
This campaign is organized by Black Girl Pilates.
Throughout her life, Khianti Wilson has always had a passion and love of fitness. She decided to challenge herself in trying Crossfit and within three years, she was at her strongest. One day at group training, her coach pushed her to a new limit. When the session ended, she noticed her arms felt weird and later in the day recognized drastic and abnormal swelling in her arms. After researching her symptoms, Khianti believed she was suffering from a life threatening condition. She was admitted for a five day stay in the hospital and underwent extensive testing that led to her diagnosis of Rhabdomyolysis. This was a result of overtraining in Crossfit and her doctor recommended that she try Pilates as an alternative.
Though she loved her new movement practice and how it made her feel, she experienced mistreatment and racism at her new, predominantly white Pilates studio. These experiences, along with the desire to bring Pilates to her community, lead Khianti to seek teacher training from a Black educator. Through Black Girl Pilates™ and Sonja R. Price Herbert, Khianti was referred to Tabatha Koylass of Tab Pilates. Tabatha helped Khianti create a plan that allowed Khianti to pursue her passion of becoming a teacher. Khianti completed a 25 hour Fundamental Pilates Mat certification and will continue to study with Tabatha in March 2021.
Khianti wants to share her knowledge and experience of the benefits of Pilates with people in her community and make Pilates classes more accessible. With the support of another local business owner, Khianti is working on renovating her new studio, True Body Pilates in New Orleans. True Body Pilates will offer a space where Black people feel warmly welcomed, respected, and enjoy their experience. She is seeking contributions to fund the purchase of mats and Pilates props. Please support Khianti in fulfilling her purpose and serving her community and contribute by the GOAL DATE: Sunday, February 14, 2021!
Photos from recent renovation:
Throughout her life, Khianti Wilson has always had a passion and love of fitness. She decided to challenge herself in trying Crossfit and within three years, she was at her strongest. One day at group training, her coach pushed her to a new limit. When the session ended, she noticed her arms felt weird and later in the day recognized drastic and abnormal swelling in her arms. After researching her symptoms, Khianti believed she was suffering from a life threatening condition. She was admitted for a five day stay in the hospital and underwent extensive testing that led to her diagnosis of Rhabdomyolysis. This was a result of overtraining in Crossfit and her doctor recommended that she try Pilates as an alternative.
Though she loved her new movement practice and how it made her feel, she experienced mistreatment and racism at her new, predominantly white Pilates studio. These experiences, along with the desire to bring Pilates to her community, lead Khianti to seek teacher training from a Black educator. Through Black Girl Pilates™ and Sonja R. Price Herbert, Khianti was referred to Tabatha Koylass of Tab Pilates. Tabatha helped Khianti create a plan that allowed Khianti to pursue her passion of becoming a teacher. Khianti completed a 25 hour Fundamental Pilates Mat certification and will continue to study with Tabatha in March 2021.
Khianti wants to share her knowledge and experience of the benefits of Pilates with people in her community and make Pilates classes more accessible. With the support of another local business owner, Khianti is working on renovating her new studio, True Body Pilates in New Orleans. True Body Pilates will offer a space where Black people feel warmly welcomed, respected, and enjoy their experience. She is seeking contributions to fund the purchase of mats and Pilates props. Please support Khianti in fulfilling her purpose and serving her community and contribute by the GOAL DATE: Sunday, February 14, 2021!
Photos from recent renovation: