Kelli Poist
Meet Kelli: Passionate, Encouraging, Enthusiastic
Pilates Training and Certifications: Infinite Dynamics Mat, Reformer, Cadillac : PEI
Kelli has always been physically active participating in dance, gymnastics and swimming while growing up and continued competitive swimming into college. She has been teaching people to move their bodies since she was 16; teaching swim lessons, water aerobics, and coaching swim team. Always reading and trying to learn about anything related to exercise she first read about Pilates in an article and instantly thought “that is exactly the type of movement I’ve been looking for”. A friend of a family member owned a small Pilates studio in Los Olivos, and was looking for instructors. Kelli took one short introductory private lesson with her and signed up for teacher training the next day. She instantly fell in love with Pilates!
“My shoulders were so weak at 23 yrs old that I couldn’t hold my arms up over my head long enough to change a lightbulb. Pilates corrected all my imbalances and I became stronger than I had ever been, even stronger than when I was a competitive swimmer.”
Kelli completed her first training with Infinite Dynamics in San Luis Obispo in 2002, becoming certified in Mat, Reformer, and Cadillac. She taught in Los Olivos for 2 years, before moving to San Luis Obispo. From there she has taught at various locations all over the county, along with having her own home studio at one point. She completed a comprehensive certification through Pilates Education Institute in 2016. Before Kelli found Pilates she suffered from low back, and shoulder issues. Her low back issues stemmed from imbalances within in her hip joints, and lack of a true core connection.
“Learning about my own body and how Pilates worked to help me, became the catalyst for my drive to help others. ”
Kelli’s favorite part of teaching is watching her clients have lightbulb moments, where they connect into a movement in a new way, when they find control over their bodies and how they move! Pilates is her passion, teaching gives her energy, and feeds her soul. Outside of Pilates Kelli is a wife and mom to 4 boys. She has lived on the Central Coast her whole life aside from attending college at Humboldt State University. Pilates has been a huge part of keeping her strong enough to keep enjoying her favorite activities of paddle boarding and hiking injury free!