It is December 2020, a year we will never forget.
My journey with BASI Pilates started in 1998, 22 years ago. What an incredible journey! Being the 
longest standing faculty member and licensee in BASI, I have had some of the most amazing experiences, good ones, and ones that shaped me into the person I am today. Care to read more about it?
My very first encounter with BASI was through Rael, who else? Rael was invited to teach a workshop in Cape Town, South Africa in 1998. At that time, I was in my early twenties with no money, and being a farm girl with a dance degree freshly obtained, I knew nothing of the world.
My very f
irst flight in a Boeing was to Cape Town to attend this workshop by a master in the method. Little did I know that this would be the start of something HUGE!
I remember that workshop like it was yesterday, I did not take a single note but rather soaked up everything like a sponge. I just knew…this was it, I want to learn everything I could and more from Rael.
In 1999/2000 we had BASI instructors, Kristy Cooper and Sally Anderson coming to South Africa to take us through the course and Rael was the last to come. After my exam, Rael asked me if I would be interested in working for him at On Centre in Costa Mesa. What do you think I said? Yes!!!
If you are interested in reading more about my time at On Centre, please read my previous blogs.
I must just add that when I did the course, there were no manuals. We received 3-4 pages per module, stapled together and we had to memorize the exercises as they were taught to us at that specific moment. No wonder I am a master at drawing Pilates stick figures and can write Pilates-shorthand. It was probably the best thing ever as I had to experience the work and figure out a few things for myself. Today I am grateful for that type of learning, the work is so ingrained in me that it is hard for me to adapt to the new and exciting changes, which is typical of the evolution of the work as we move forward. I love it!
Returning from the USA I had to start building my studio, Body Intellect. Wow, did I work my butt off, literally, and figuratively. Working 12-hour days, teaching and managing a studio that was the first in Pretoria. It was tough but exciting and I had so much to give, so much. I was driven, excited, motivated, and positive about what the future would bring. At that time of my life, I had a great balance between work and play. I did everything with the motto “work hard, play hard”. It was a very exciting time in my life. Everything was done in overdrive and I loved it!
Then the day arrived that I could host and present the first course for BASI in my studio! Wow, was I thrilled. So, the chapter of presenting and hosting courses began, which developed into a national concept in South Africa. It was a whole new dynamic in comparison to running a studio. Suddenly you had a whole new set of challenges. Students inspire me to be better, teach better, and continuously strive for higher ground. I also learn so much from students, so to the students, I would like to say, thank you. Teaching students really feeds my soul. I come alive! Managing it, well that on the other hand was a whole different story.
The growth of BASI Pilates South Africa could never be what it is today without the immeasurable contribution of the host facilities and faculty in South Africa. Today Tash Barnard, Ashley Ritchie, Inge Pretorius, Monique Martinengo, and my rock, Thelia Houston McMillan have played such a vital role in growing BASI Pilates South Africa. Not only are we colleagues, but we are friends. Thank you, ladies, you are truly inspirational.
One day… I got a letter through the post, saying that I have been promoted to Principle faculty. On the spot in my living room, I dropped to my knees. It was a defining moment for me. I felt that all the hard work and dedication was seen and appreciated, and it motivated me even more. Being a progressive thinker and probably an entrepreneur, the coming years were set for growth and change.
In 2005 I hosted the very first BASI Pilates Symposium in South Africa, Pretoria, today it is known as “LEARN FROM THE LEADERS’. A conference where many people and specifically international presenters gathered to present to Pilates enthusiasts from all over the globe. I have organized and hosted 6 LFTL conferences in South Africa to date. Every time I feel stretched to the limits, often moving my whole studio, relying on the support and assistance of my staff at Body Intellect. I can never thank them enough.
There have been interesting incidents when organizing events like these. The one time, Hurricane Katrina happened and the whole shipment of Pilates equipment that was destined to be used at the symposium was delayed by weeks. It did not arrive in time…
Another time one of the key presenters phoned me to say she cannot make it! It took a phone call to Rael in the middle of the night to convince her otherwise, not to mention that I was also heavily pregnant at the time. Never a dull moment when organizing these events. BUT, ‘n Boer maak n plan’ and the sense of comradery and belonging to something very special makes one pick up your basket and carry on. It is all worth it in the end. This topic needs a whole blog on its own, I think it would be quite amusing.
2004/2005 was also the mark that changed the landscape for BASI Pilates in South Africa and subsequently around the globe. It was the start of the BASI Pilates Licensee model. I realised that in a country where the currency is too volatile, we need to put something in place to get the South Africans to also obtain this high level of education in Pilates. The licensee model was born. All I can say is that it was an emotional process for both Rael and myself. How will it work, what is included, excluded, what is fair, what is realistic, etc. I have learned so much from it and today there are numerous licensees around the globe that are thriving under this arrangement. Truly pioneering work and it took teamwork to make it happen. Thank you, Rael and team.
The licensee model for me did not stop in South Africa. I met Lisa Lamberti at a conference in the USA and from the moment I met her, I knew that this lady has what it takes to take on a BASI Pilates license. We became partners in BASI Pilates United Kingdom and something new and exciting was born in 2014. The one event I distinctly remember was the Marathon Mat Class in a CHURCH in London with Rael. It was an epic event, the atmosphere, the spirit, the intent, and intensity was all so riveting, yet another highlight in my career. I’m proud to see that BASI Pilates South Korea and Australia are also thriving under this model. I resigned from BASI UK in 2017 and I am so proud to see that under the guidance of Lisa, BASI UK is going from strength to strength. Besides the fact that Lisa is doing a superb job, she has become one of my most endearing friends. She is a remarkable woman.
Rael and I.
Rael saw something in me more than 20 years ago. In a 20-year span of being part of BASI Pilates, do you think it is always sunshine and roses? In this instance, mostly sunshine and roses, but Rael and I have a unique relationship. We have space where we voice our honest opinions, which is not always what we want to hear, as it is brutally honest but it is heard. Rael is my Pilates Mentor, my Pilates dad, my go-to-person when I need guidance and support in everything Pilates-related. I treasure and value this relationship with everything I have. It is special and I realise it does not come around in many people’s lives. Truly a Pilates Mentor. I’m grateful. Thank you.
BASI Pilates gave me the opportunity to see the world! What better gift than to see the world and at the same time living your dream and exercising your passion for Pilates.
My first ever international teaching opportunity did not go that well. It was also the first time I traveled overseas and ironically it was London. I was so overwhelmed, felt underprepared although I had prepared for weeks and there were only 4 people on the course. What was my issue? I realized that you can never over-prepare, one must just study more and go beyond the course content to give added value and truly understand the subject and content. Today I can give the course almost without looking at the manual. I think to date I have presented the Comprehensive Teacher Training course over 35 times, if not more and I still learn from it. Isn’t that amazing!
Traveling overseas gave me the opportunity to meet the most incredible people over the years and I have stayed at incredible places, eaten the most interesting dishes. One time I enjoyed the chicken-and-cashew-nut dish so much (Beijing) and I had to do the Teaser after lunch and I had such a stomach cramp, and I remember that being the most uncomfortable situation as the toilets were not ‘what one is used to’. Let me not say more… interesting developments. From that day on I do not really eat a full lunch while giving a course. Lesson learned! There is also the story of me eating live shrimp out of respect to the host. 
Traveling the globe from Japan, Moscow, London, Hong Kong, New Zealand, London, Ireland, Brazil, Greece, Germany, USA, Namibia, Saudi, etc. All I can say is… THANK YOU BASI PILATES for these incredible experiences. Every person I met on these travels has made an impact. Their presence, their hospitality, and warmth were the pinnacle of what BASI Pilates represents.
Jump forward and I was ready for the next new chapter in BASI. As I describe above, Rael and I have a unique relationship and I asked him about the Mentor Program, and guess what, he said yes. Well, I presented my very first Mentor Program in my own studio in Pretoria, South Africa, 2018. It was one of the many highlights of my life. Whenever I present this program, wherever in the world, it just symbolizes the depth and detail of the work and specifically the methodology BASI has put in place. People always leave this program with a new realisation of what this work means and the depth of it. It is revolutionary. Thank you, Rael!
Being part of an organization for over 2 decades, I have had the privilege to be witness to the growth and development of something so remarkable. Yes, nothing goes without growing pains, but what does? The development of manuals (yay), an interactive website, continued education beyond measure, BASI Systems (wow), a whole management staff, a building called home, Summits, and now online presentations! I am sure I missed something as the growth and development of BASI has been exponential. How the world has changed, from stapled papers to Zoom meetings and digital manuals. I am amazed!
I think a new era in BASI has arrived. With COVID the world has changed, and we must adapt, whether we want to or not. Online education has become the new norm. Online classes, webinars, courses, etc. For Pilates, it will be unique as this method is only 100% effective with hands-on teaching and how to implement it via a screen will be challenging. I’m excited to see where this is going.
To close my incredible journey;
At some stage in every person’s life, you ask yourself the question: What is my purpose in this life?
Only recently I realized that my purpose is to be a BRIDGE. Yes, a bridge!
A song by Koos Kombuis – ‘Ek is n brug’, touched me and I realized that…..
I am a bridge for many people. I hang in the air. I get people together. I’m a beacon. I am the pathway for some to walk over to get to the other side – new opportunities. I am the support system, the motivation to hold on to the support base carefully and steadfastly tread over the uncertain terrain to get there… I am the bridge. The bridge to sometimes give the education to cross, to find a new life and THAT thing that you were looking for…
Thank you, Lord, for choosing ME to be that bridge to someone, becoming what and who they want to be.
I have found my purpose.
I thank all in BASI Pilates, every single soul that has touched my life. It has been incredible, and I cannot wait for the next 2 decades.
Theo.