Sometimes in life we get more than we bargain for.

Dara Blaine had been living with back pain from a car accident for two years. So perhaps it was no accident that led her to agree to make a trade with Master Pilates teacher Niedra Gabriel—in exchange for photos for Niedra’s website, Niedra would give Dara Pilates lessons in her studio.

“After a few months, my chronic back pain was gone, and I was in love with Pilates!” Dara tells us. She decided at first that she would continue with teacher training just for herself, but quickly discovered that she truly loved to teach as well. “It was a life- and career- changing decision. My quality of life afterwards was dramatically better, and I’m continually grateful.” As a tall person, Dara says Pilates also helped her to stand up straight “after years of slouching.”

Dara received her teacher training through Power Pilates, and holds a definite teaching philosophy: “Pilates is about inspiring and empowering clients to achieve goals they might not even feel are possible in the beginning.” Dara considers it her business to help clients define their goals and break the work into small steps. “From there, anything is possible!” she says. “Some of my biggest successes have been when I can get clients to realize that they are stronger than they think.”

Motivation is easy for Dara: “I love that moment of awareness when a client finally makes a connection to an exercise and to their muscles. That’s the gold for me—helping someone feel more connected and powerful in their own body.”