Today we’d like to introduce you to Kara Duval.
Kara, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today.
I’m a former ballet dancer turned Pilates Instructor based in Boston. After years of training extensively to pursue a professional ballet career, I abruptly quit right after college to pursue what I believed was a “normal person job.” I briefly worked a sales position in Dallas before realizing that movement was the thing that fulfilled me the most. I went up to Toronto to complete my lengthy STOTT Pilates certification and… poof, here we are four years later! My entire life, I have only known expressing myself through movement. Even though I’m no longer a dancer, I still very much possess the qualities of a performer.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
Movement is my art. It always has been and it always will be. The comical thing is that after years and years of being a classically trained ballet dancer, I actually find myself utilizing my modern dance training almost every day of my life. While pursuing my BFA in classical ballet from TCU, we were required to take modern dance (much to my dismay). We were forced to break away from predictable patterns, get out of our own personal comfort levels and really stretch the limits of creative movement. It’s those skills that I apply with my classes and clients every day. I love to create methodical and intricate patterns while still having a heavy focus on form and precision. I hate being predictable! We live our lives in a predictable manner… why do it in a fitness class!
How can artists and creatives connect with other creative professionals?
Luckily for me, in my line of work, I’m surrounded by the creative types on a daily business. However, it is a totally lonely existence. I often refer to myself as a “one-woman show” because my days are filled with traveling from studio to studio, seeing various types of people and often leaving little time for myself. My advice for any type of creative is to make it a priority to introduce yourself to others in the field… egos, and experience aside! Personally, I make it a priority to attend three classes a week that are not my own for both creative and personal health reasons. We all have so much to learn from each other and I often find the most inspiration from those outside of my direct field. I specialize in Pilates but why can’t I learn from a strength coach? The possibilities are endless with connecting with like humans.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your work?
The wonderful thing about my job and my “work” is that it truly is an in-person experience. I teach at various studios across the city and strive to make every experience inclusive and entertaining. If coming to a class is unattainable, I post regularly to my Instagram @karaduvalpilates which allows people into my daily life and thought processes of being an instructor. I also teach various events every year around the city that always involve dozens of new people… which I love. My tagline is #pilatesforthepeople… so it really is an inclusive and personal experience.
Contact Info:
- Website: Karaduvalpilates.com
- Email: karaduvalpilates@gmail.com
- Instagram: @karaduvalpilates
Image Credit:
Sterling Rose Photography, Greg Ux Photography, Claire Oswald Photography
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