How Our Balanced Body Friends Make a Difference
In honor of Giving Tuesday—a global movement dedicated to fostering shared humanity and generosity—we asked three of our Balanced Body friends to share how charity shapes their lives. Here’s what they had to say.
Chelsea Peck, Pilates O Ka Lā, Honolulu, Hawaii
- In your view, what role does charity play in fostering a compassionate society?
Giving back allows us to connect with our community, and support causes we believe in. - Can you share some ways in which you or your studio actively contribute to the community?
Whenever we can we love to host charity events at Pilates O Ka Lā. We host 2 weekly community classes at Pilates O Ka Lā, offering small group reformer classes for half price. Making Pilates available to everyone in our community is important to us. Pilates should not be something only available to those who can afford it. - What guidance would you offer to someone who is eager to volunteer or give back but feels uncertain about how to begin?
Choose a charity that speaks to you. In Hawaii there are so many opportunities to provide service for our community and nature. We often do beach cleanups, and support our local Kuilei Cliffs organization, a non-profit whose aim is to preserve and protect Diamond head, the iconic Waikīkī landmark at the base of which our studio sits.
Lesley Logan, OnlinePilatesClasses.com
- In your view, what role does charity play in fostering a compassionate society?
I don’t know how you have a compassionate society without giving something you have to someone in your community who needs it. However, I think people often think that to be charitable you must give money. But your charitable gift can be your time, skill set, or information. - Can you share some ways in which you or your studio/business actively contribute to the community?
There are endless ways to give and contribute. In our businesses we have built the charitable give into the business services and products. However, you don’t have to always give money. You can give your time. Years ago, I walked dogs for the local rescue. It was part of my lunch break. You can also donate your expertise, or let a charity use your space for a meeting or event. - What guidance would you offer to someone who is eager to volunteer or give back but feels uncertain about how to begin?
List all the things you think you could do. Then be honest about sustainability so that you don’t burn out or negatively affect your ability to continue to support others and yourself. Choose groups or communities where your passion, skill set, values align. If you choose to donate money, make sure you’re building into your business expenses. And make sure your clients know! They might want to participate too!
Shari Berkowitz, TheVerticalWorkshop.com
- In your view, what role does charity play in fostering a compassionate society?
I find great meaning in the genuine meaning of the word compassion: “suffering together”. We endeavor to celebrate together and then we must also be there to suffer together. A healthy society has both! - Can you share some ways in which you or your studio actively contribute to the community?
The Vertical Workshop’s core action has always been this line I share: “Create A Community of Help”; and so that is my aim. One aspect is Pay-What-You-Can fees. I fully believe that Pilates is for everyone. In honest action, then pricing must reflect that. In which case, I have a sliding scale for online sessions, classes and workshops. - What guidance would you offer to someone who is eager to volunteer or give back but feels uncertain about how to begin?
Start small with something that would matter to you if you were the recipient! My Pay-What-You-Can pricing came from knowing how many people were financially suffering from the early days of The Pandemic. What would have helped me if I was in their situation of reduced or lost income? Pay-What-You-Can pricing. So, I offered that.
Pay It Forward
Hearing these stories from our Balanced Body friends reminds us that giving back is about making our communities stronger and brighter. This Giving Tuesday let’s take a page from their book and find our own ways to spread a little kindness. Every gesture, big or small, can make a difference and bring us closer together.
All ideas and assertions expressed in The CORE are those of the individual contributors, offered to spark conversation, enrich understanding/inspire growth and share diverse perspectives within our community. They may not necessarily reflect the views of Balanced Body®.
Balanced Body thoroughly believes that movement can change people’s lives. We are the leading resource for Pilates and mindful movement equipment, information and education for fitness centers, studios, rehabilitation facilities and home enthusiasts.
