Today we’d like to introduce you to Ken Gilbert.
Hi Ken, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Ken created ken gilbert | EMBODYMENT in 2007 out of a lifelong commitment to somatic education in body-centered movement.
Ken began his group fitness career at Santa Barbara Athletic Club in 1987 at 37 years; being curious about the dynamics of group fitness and personal training. At SBAC he evolved his fitness practices over 20 years beginning with hi/lo impact, step, slide, spin, and body sculpting. In 1995 he expanded his practices into Pilates and Nia® in 1997. His professional profile has included being a Primary Certification Specialist for the Aerobic and Fitness Association of America, the personal trainer in the principles of the National Academy of Sports Medicine, a Senior Facilitator of The Ron Fletcher Work (Fletcher Pilates), and a First-Generation International Trainer in The Nia Technique training in White, Green and Blue Belts.
This lifetime of training and commitment to somatic, body-centered movement led him to create ken gilbert | EMBODYMENT. At The Dance Hub, Ken teaches group PILATES and Nia Classes. His personal/private PILATES teaching practice is located inside The Dance Hub at 22 East Victoria Street (downtown Santa Barbara).
Ken’s teaching style and methods have developed over the past 74 years; through living in a body where he has integrated movement and various therapeutic modalities into practices of self-awareness, health and well-being, longevity training, and self-mastery through the body.
Ken is a theater artist: an actor, stage director and the co-founder of DramaDogs, a Theater Company, with his wife E. Bonnie Lewis. Currently, Ken is working on resurrecting his Master of Arts thesis project originally staged at the University of California, Davis, Department of Dramatic Art in 1977.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Ken’s initiation to fitness was stimulated as a response and reaction to a divorce from his first wife in 1987. He had begun his personal therapy in 1986 through Reichian Therapy in Ojai, CA, and continued his self-awareness and self-awakening in Hakomi Therapy and The Hoffman Process; each contributing to Ken’s development of body awareness through physical, emotional and mental integration.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At 74 years I am asked if I will retire from my work.
My response is simple: my life’s work has evolved from being a Theater Artist practicing fitness and health, currently teaching and personal training of PILATES and Nia, My life is living in these practices; hence, there is no retirement, as I will continue living in my body, mind, emotion and spirit (life force).
My teaching is student and client based. Each class and session is begun with the a check-in about the present moment of body and mind; “In your body, what are you sensing, feeling and thinking about in being here in this moment.” This connection allows me to teach from a body-centered approach to the individual.
I am an empathic and intuit; teaching from my personal connection of loving presence; being in the immediate moment rather than observing into judgement or critique. A person’s body tell the truth about who they are; with no words, only alignment and actions that define their body in the present moment.
What makes you happy?
Living in a body of sensation and emotion. Connecting with myself and others in authentic ways.
I have arrived at a self-definition of being autistic. I used to refer to myself as an extreme introvert, but over the past several years I understand that I grew out of my family system into my adulthood by masking in ways of survival; having survived bullying and judgement from others as to who I was in any particular relationship. Now, I realize that I grew into becoming a compassionate, empathic and intuitive individual who truly enjoys creating moments of understanding human beings through my craft of theater and my somatic education practices; living in the freedom of self-understanding. I am living my life as I choose and I share it with others.
Pricing:
- Group Classes in PILATES and Nia: Single Class ($22), 5 Classes ($90), 10 Classes ($170), 20 Classes ($320) or Unlimited PILATES and Nia for 30 days ($250)
- PILATES Awareness Package: one time 3 Sessions ($300)
- PILATES Single Session ($140)
- PILATES 10 Session Package ($1,200)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.embodyment.com
- Instagram: kgepilates & kgembodyment_somatic_education
- Facebook: Ken Gilbert & ken gilbert EMBODYMENT
