Originally distributed via email on June 4, 2020.
Dear Clients and Friends of Core Fluency Pilates,
I am outraged and heartbroken about the continued need to rally for the value of human life. The gratuitous loss of Ms. Taylor, Mr. Floyd, Mr. McAtee, Mr. Ahmaud Arbery, Mr. Tony McDade, Mr. Dreasjon “Sean” Reed, to name only a few, on top of unequal access to services and opportunities at work, at school, in government, in public life—is intolerable. The overwhelming grief and fear that Black mothers feel constantly , takes a tremendous toll on their personal health and the health of our larger community. Continual stress and trauma that communities of color experience creates significantly higher incidences of illnesses like high blood pressure, kidney failure, diabetes.
Joseph Pilates wrote “A body freed from nervous tension and fatigue is the ideal shelter provided by nature for housing a well-balanced mind that is always fully capable of successfully meeting all the complex problems of modern living.” ( Return to Life , 1945)
People in communities of color around our nation and the world, especially Black American communities, cannot have “a body freed from nervous tension and fatigue.” We cannot continue to live this way. We cannot Return to Life this way.
The Pilates community has been part of the problem, and struggles with its own issues of diversity and equal access. Pilates studios and teacher training programs operate in an economic niche that fails to offer the promise of career and health to the very individuals who need it most.
Core Fluency Pilates’ need-based scholarship program, support for Arts Reach , and partnership with Tip It Forward have increased access to holistic healthcare. But my efforts to empower individuals cannot overcome the larger influences of violence, grief and intolerable societal strain without systemic change. We have to take the stress off so people can heal.
Core Fluency Pilates stands with Black Lives Matter. I have begun to take action to end police violence and all violence against Black Americans and people of color.
CFP has become a sustaining member of Louisville UL which strives for economic equality through direct services and advocacy, and Campaign Zero which offers policy solutions to reform policing. Please educate yourself and support local and national groups led by women and men of color to affect permanent change. Local glass artist Che Rhodes’ wildly popular ideas for LMPD reforms in Louisville are detailed here . Please also VOTE for change, request your absentee ballot here .
Pilates is a path to health and wellness, but also to justice and peace. I intend Core Fluency Pilates to promote health, wellness, justice and peace for all bodies. CFP stands together with Black Lives Matter, with communities of color across the city, immigrants and anyone who experiences injustice. Until there is equality for all. As long as it takes.
With resolve,
Laura Porter Blackburn