Emelie Frölinghaus

Emelie is one of the stars at our studio for sure. Having been apart of the studio for nearly four years she has progressed into one of the most advanced students in terms of her ability and practice as well as the most consistent and frequent class goer. Since July last year, Emelie has averaged over 26 classes per month which includes a four week Holiday over Christmas, think about that! 

Its more than just the shear number of sessions she attends, Emelie is on a true path of wellness for herself and her family. Emelie strives to go against anything in our culture that doesn’t enrich the lives of her family and doesn’t use her autoimmune disease as an excuse in anyway. Emelie is a huge advocate for “you are what you eat” and cooks pretty much everything her family eats from scratch, they even have their own chickens!  I am inspired and motivated by many of the people we are blessed to call clients in different ways, but in this category, Emelie would be the top of the list as well. 

I think there’s a possibility to read a story like Emelie’s and feel deflated because you might not feel like you’ve got it all together as well. Having interacted with Emelie a lot, I can let you know she is in fact still human! haha. What I admire most is her awareness and effort to focus on what’s positive and what she CAN do rather than allow her mind, situation or environment to distract her, or worse, derail her efforts. Let’s embody that mindset and take away something positive from her story to inspire us! 


"You just want more and more because it just makes you feel so amazing."

Q – What problems were you trying to solve or improve?

Life before Pilates was hard. I was constantly trying to find ways to stay healthy for myself and my kids. Trying new diets constantly, fighting with my autoimmune disease, trying to relieve it any way I could. I had also had my daughter not too long before I started Pilates and was trying to loose the baby weight. I was feeling very self conscious in many ways. But my biggest struggle was my rheumatoid arthritis. I was constantly in an immense amount of pain. I knew I needed to try something different because whatever I’d done before had not really been working for me. I am still struggling and being in pain still exists. However, practising Pilates regularly has really helped my body bounce back faster than it ever has when those flare ups happen.

 
 
 
Q – What was the obstacle/s that almost prevented you from starting? What sold you on jumping in and joining as a member? 
Staying consistent and committing to something without knowing if I would be able to do it or not was scary . What sold me on jumping aboard was the fact that when I went in to the Klinik and spoke with them, I was met with such warmth and understanding of my struggles and that reassurance just made me walk out with a smile on my face, feeling positive about being able to get back into a fitness routine again that would suit ME.
 
 
 
Q – What have you been able to achieve since starting? What improvements have you noticed?
I started off doing two classes a week and I’m not gonna lie I sometimes struggled bringing myself in because my body fought against me. I gave in a lot of times. However, almost four years later, I now come and do classes every single day. 7 days a week. If my body is struggling, I now have the knowledge and experience to know that if I listen to it too much, I will be in for an even greater struggle if i do nothing. I know I can go a bit crazy with my Pilates at times but it is like an addiction. You just want more and more because it just makes you feel so amazing!

Q – What has exceeded your expectations since joining?

I never thought my body could be this strong again. There’s also the fact that I have now decided to deepen my knowledge by joining the teacher training course Kristen offers at the Pilates Klinik to become a certified teacher myself. I never thought I would actually jump in and take that journey. Meeting the people that I have connected with through the studio has also been more than I thought it would. 

 
Q – What about our business surprised you the most?
The level of love, warmth and genuine care Michael and Kristen spread. It’s so lovely coming in to a safe space for each and every one of my classes. From teenager to elderly, The Klinik is truly a safe space for everyone. The laughs, love and connection with others is something that has surprised me.
 
 
Q – How would you describe the Klinik in one word?
Wow! 
Just a simple wow. Because from the day I started until now, because of everything I mentioned above, I never thought I’d be part of a community that is so supporting and caring. It’s more than just Pilates.
 
 
Q – What is your favourite exercise or movement and why?
This is a hard one! It’s very hard to pick just one. I’ll have to pick a few, feet in straps are always a good one. Ab series with straps in hands and ball included is always amazing and gives such a nice burn. Inner thigh “splits” I love. Side planking threading the needle I love. I would have to say also Michael’s feel good classes are just an awesome experience all together. Sometimes painful because of my own struggles with my body but you always come out with more knowledge and feeling awesome.
 
 
Q – What is your least favourite exercise or movement and why? 
Ehm. Yea. Also a hard one. But I would have to say swimming arms and legs. I absolutely hate it haha. Also I don’t really like bridging on one red haha however being pushed through something you thought you couldn’t do makes you feel good about yourself 🙂

Q – What was it about your Pilates practice you wish you had known in the beginning?

Having an autoimmune disease (rheumatoid arthritis) I was used to giving excuses when my body went into a flare or if a was in too much pain. I wish I knew from the start that if I had just pushed through a little, I wouldn’t have had to wait this long to know that consistency, even when you’re in pain, pays off and helps immensely. And it goes for the whole body including your mind and mindset towards your disease. Giving up is never a good option. Also I wish I knew how amazing Pilates is and I just wish I had started my journey a lot earlier.
 
 
Q – What advice would you give to someone just starting their own Pilates practice as a new member at The Klinik?
Don’t hesitate to really try it and give it a go. Don’t overthink things and don’t get discouraged if you can’t do a movement “perfectly”. Don’t compare yourself to anyone else, go on your own journey. Don’t hesitate to ask questions if there’s something you’re wondering about because all the teachers are extremely knowledgeable and is always there for a helping hand and never judges.
 
 
 
Q -Is there anything else that you would like to comment on or say about our staff, community or business?
This place have become a very safe place for me. I love that I can come in to all these beautiful faces every single day and be met with love and care. I would like to give a big pat on the back and a congratulations to Kristen and Michael for creating this beautiful space, you’ve really done it right and are always striving to make it bigger and better. It’s amazing to be part of. All the staff at the Pilates Klinik are so friendly and lovely not to mention so knowledgeable and professional and never far away from a laugh.
 
 

“Giving up is never a good option.” ~ Couldn’t say it any better myself.