Debja Steinberger's Movement Innovations

For Debja Steinberger, Pilates is more than just an exercise regimen to strengthen muscles. She works with the whole person—body, mind and spirit—teaching group classes, individuals and workshops. Certified as a Pilates instructor since 1996 and with over 25 years as a professional dancer and movement teacher, Steinberger works with all ages and all body types. She says she seeks to help people "in their journey toward embodiment," and emphasizes the importance of breathing: "Breath is a bio-movement of the body, so if you can learn to inhabit your breath, you can inhabit your body, and become more joyful in your body." Pilates, she says, can be helpful for the highly athletic, or for the injured or physically distressed: people working with back issues, who are pregnant or have bone problems. It can also supplement and complement other forms of therapy or other regimens.