The Venue to host 'The Art of Pilates'

Students interested in learning about the art of Pilates — a physical exercise based on strength, endurance and flexibility — will have the opportunity today.

Melissa Nobel, professional Pilates instructor and head instructor at Bodycenter Bloomington, will be teaching a free Pilates class from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at The Venue Fine Art and Gifts.

“We chose Melissa because she is recognized as the most accomplished Pilates instructor in the area,” Dave Coleman, assistant curator for The Venue, said. “She also has experience teaching at the college level.”

The class, “The Art of Pilates with Melissa Nobel,” will teach participants about the fundamentals of Pilates and Nobel’s therapeutic approach to the art.

“Melissa got into Pilates as a therapy after she suffered a knee injury,” Coleman said. “That injury led her to see Pilates as a therapeutic method.”

Nobel now has three certificates as a Pilates instructor. She has taught at the University of Washington as an adjunct faculty member, the Jacobs School of Music as a dance instructor and now runs Bodycenter Bloomington, where Pilates and massage are used to treat chronic pain.

“An interesting fact is that Pilates are named after their designer, Joseph Pilates,” Coleman said. “Melissa has trained with his son.”

Nobel said she plans to use the time to explain the theory and practice of Pilates as well as demonstrate its various exercises.

– Derrick Naylor