Each morning for the second and third week, Eliane Roumié guides a Pilates-based practice integrating mindful movement, strength, and body awareness. Through a balance of structured exercises and exploratory movement, this class supports mobility, core stability, and recovery—offering a foundation for the day’s physical practice.
PILATES: mindful movement
In recent years, Eliane Roumié has become deeply involved with the Pilates method, and as an active dancer, she is eager to share the knowledge and experience she has gained in systematic body strengthening with others. In working towards her Pilates teaching certification, she conducted in-depth research and wrote a thesis titled Pilates for Improving Contemporary Dancers’ Technique. Through this research, along with her personal practice, she gained a deeper understanding of the importance of supplementary training in a dancer’s journey.
In her classes, participants have the opportunity to practice the Pilates technique, acquire fundamental theoretical knowledge on the method and body anatomy, and gain insight into the rehabilitation of body areas commonly stressed during dance training and practice. Specifically, in the first hour of each session, participants engage in a comprehensive Pilates Mat class (with or without small props like resistance bands). This segment focuses on exercises that deepen understanding of the body’s movement patterns while strengthening and toning all muscle groups.
Simultaneously, participants work on coordinating physical movement with breathing. In the second part of the class, they explore both the theoretical and practical aspects of key topics relevant to the body, such as effective warm-up techniques, muscle and joint recovery after strain or injury, and stretching methods.
The final session is suggested to be dedicated to practical exercises and discussions, offering each participant the opportunity to ask questions and receive personalized guidance tailored to their individual body.
About Pilates method
The Pilates method is named after its creator, Joseph Hubertus Pilates, a German-born fitness expert who developed the technique in the 1920s as an innovative approach to exercise and body conditioning. Pilates opened his first studio in New York City, located in the same building as the New York City Ballet. As a result, the method quickly gained popularity within the dance community. The Pilates method is based on principles and kinesiology closely related to those of dance and has become one of the most widely recognized forms of exercise today. Its primary goal is to improve the body’s functionality. Primary benefits include building muscle strength, advancing mobility, stability and flexibility, as well as developing a deeper understanding of the body. In a Pilates class, the continuous activation of the abdominal muscles, hip flexors, and gluteal muscles fosters the development of a stronger core. According to Bergeron (2018) and Amorim and Wyon (2014), key improvements that a dancer may observe after incorporating this method into their training include increased muscle strength, greater range of motion, correction of dysfunctional alignments, pelvis stabilization, improved spinal mobility, and clearer overall body movement.
Eliane Roumié is an artist of Greek and Syrian descent, born and raised in Athens. Her dual heritage has deeply influenced her artistic journey, often placing her in a state of “in-between,” where themes of transition and identity are central to her work. A blend of dance and Pilates, her professional practice intertwines artistic expression, body conditioning, and research, fostering a profound respect for the body and its potential for both function and liberation. Her choreographic practice is an evolving exploration, driven by both theoretical research and hands-on experimentation. Key tools include experiential evidence, documentation of the creative process, score-building, and collective feedback—each of which informs and shapes the development of her work.
