Momentum Fest made me cry. Seriously, I stood up to teach a room of over 100 people, and I just started crying. For those of you who don’t know me, I am British, and we do not, in fact, must not show any emotion in public (and possibly not even in private). It is quite unheard of!
So, you can imagine my utter embarrassment when I began to deliver the opening segment of the closing class of Momentum Fest 2018 and I just started sobbing. I was mortified.
Now, I do blame my behaviour in part to Brian and Jessica Valent (the incredible couple behind MF), who had made the most heartfelt speech just before I was due to teach (I couldn’t handle it), and I may also lay some of the blame on the jet lag, however if I am being completely honest the tears of happiness were mostly due to the genuinely unforgettable time that we had all shared over the previous 3 days, and put simply, I just didn’t want it to end!
I travelled from the tiny nine-by-five mile island of Jersey, just off the north west coast of France, to attend and teach at Momentum Fest 2018, and I am so happy to be returning again this year. Last year, as it was the inaugural festival, I didn’t really know what to expect and I had only met a few of the other presenters very briefly at various Pilates trainings/conferences in the past. Due to this I have to admit that I was really nervous as it was my first big teaching gig in the USA and I was worried that I might just be a bit lonely!
Those nerves were completely unnecessary. The atmosphere created by the founders, attendees, presenters, volunteers, vendors, and hotel staff was just fantastic. It was clear from the start that everyone had showed up just to have fun and enjoy Pilates without any strings attached. My mum had come along as a volunteer, and even as someone who just dabbles in Pilates she was welcomed, and felt as part of the community as I did.
If you are already booked and coming along to Momentum Fest 2019 I can’t wait to see you there! If you are still yet to book your ticket I really cannot recommend the weekend enough. Whether you are a teacher, student, or just starting to get interested in Pilates, you are in for a really fun weekend with genuinely nice people.
I will be teaching two mat based classes – one is all about the Teaser, and the other a super chilled stretchy class, and I am also teaching reformer and wunda chair classes. I promise you that you won’t regret attending Momentum Fest, but be warned – you may witness a few tears!
Register for Momentum Fest 2019 before prices go up April 16th
Grace is from the UK and first fell in love with movement when she started ballet at the age of 2. At age 11 she was accepted to full time ballet school where she was lucky enough to be introduced to Pilates, which became an integral part of Grace’s dance training and career. In 2010 Grace transitioned from professional dancer to ballet and Pilates teacher, and became certified through the Royal Academy of Dance, the Pilates Method Alliance, and Body Arts and Science International (BASI) Pilates in the UK. She later competed the Mentor and Master programs with Rael Isacowtiz in California. After 3 years of teaching in the Cayman Islands, Grace now lives on the island of Jersey in the Channel Islands and co-owns a Pilates studio there. She also guest teaches and hosts Pilates retreats internationally and is a member of the BASI Pilates faculty. She is so excited to be returning to Momentum Fest for a second year!