--- title: "My Journey: How I Became a Fletcher Pilates Teacher in India" description: "Read about my transition from professional dance to Fletcher Pilates. Learn how I teach movement awareness and body connection in my classes in Bangalore and online." canonical: https://mytribe.in/fletcherindia_akshata/fletcher-pilates-teacher-training-certification/my-journey-from-dancer-to-teacher last_updated: 2025-09-05 --- # My Journey: From Dancer to Fletcher Pilates Teacher Tribe Verified · India's first certified Fletcher Pilates teacher By [Akshata Joshi](https://mytribe.in/fletcherindia_akshata) · Mostly Online; In-person sessions in Bengaluru · ₹95K per full certification course (estimate) Part of [Fletcher Pilates Teacher Training & Certification](https://mytribe.in/fletcherindia_akshata/fletcher-pilates-teacher-training-certification). [View full gallery](https://mytribe.in/fletcherindia_akshata/fletcher-pilates-teacher-training-certification/gallery) My path from the dance stage to the Pilates mat wasn't a straight line. It has been a messy, honest, and incredibly rewarding process of unlearning and rebuilding. ## Photos and videos - ![A candid moment from an impromptu photo shoot. Sometimes the best things happen when you just go with the flow. This reflects my journey as a teacher, learning to embrace the unexpected.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/332c024d-2297-4509-aa29-de596a423115) - [Video: This is a memory from 2020, practicing Fletcher Barrework online in the middle of the night. It was challenging, but it reminded me of the joy of exploring incredible movement material just for the love of it.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/4e13eb15-8cc6-44f0-894d-46b012c49c50) - ![This photo was from the very first Pilates class I taught in 2017. I was full of self doubt, and only two people showed up. But over the years, I have learned to trust my skills as a teacher, and that has been my biggest success.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/0b465274-d385-4024-b48e-b8c52bc50985) - [Video: A short, playful video showing my love for movement, both in the studio and at home. It is a little hello to everyone and a re-commitment to sharing my practice.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/342a33ac-9a23-4220-81f1-0df3fb23997d) - [Video: Moving together with a friend and fellow teacher. We both love to teach, but sometimes it is tough to keep going. Coming together to move helps us remember why we started.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/98d09910-c42d-4bef-b866-33c7cc4b9b70) - [Video: A behind the scenes look at a content shoot with two of my most consistent online students. I loathe shoots, but they made the day so much fun and it was wonderful to bring our virtual connection into a physical space.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/1e690949-df79-41f3-897f-01402fc802c5) - !["Pilates is complete coordination of body, mind and spirit." I translated this famous Joseph Pilates quote into Hindi and Kannada because I believe this practice should be accessible and understood by everyone.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/66ffffa2-73af-458b-9d47-079ca4512424) - [Video: Besides teaching Pilates, I am also a student. Learning belly dance has helped me apply the principles of Pilates in a new way, focusing on conscious and precise movement.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a47383dd-91d3-4d1d-a5cd-2cb360d21f5a) - ![Teaching is a form of healing for me. By helping my students connect with their bodies and heal from physical or psychological stress, I find my own sense of healing and purpose.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/dbe03157-d491-437b-ae6f-cf8e943ae178) - ![This quote from Joseph Pilates about "lazy breathing" is more relevant today than ever. Proper breathing is the most important part of every class I teach, and it was my own deep breathing practice that helped me through Covid.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a708fd9c-53ff-4f21-9cec-eb055d67cf26) - [Video: A little video to help you get to know me better. I believe you are as young as your spine is flexible, and that philosophy is at the heart of all my classes. Also, I love pani puri.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/e476b97b-5f52-4b19-b760-5db964b632cf) - [Video: I believe in teaching the "why" behind every exercise. It is not enough to just go through a list of movements. I want my students to understand the purpose of each exercise so they can build a deeper connection to their practice.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/2e80e9c9-e242-4ea4-9f5e-e3aef7a004ba) - [Video: A message for all the women on Women's Day. I hope you find a practice that opens you up, lets you fly without limitations, and helps you celebrate your own unseen strength.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/da653778-050f-4d16-84f4-26960edf27e8) ## About My Journey: From Dancer to Teacher When I taught my first class in 2017, I had exactly two people show up. I was terrified I didn't know enough, and that I'd fail. That taught me that teaching isn't about being perfect, it is about connecting. If you are looking for a teacher who will actually explain why your body moves the way it does, rather than just shouting cues, that is where I come in. My shift into Pilates started when I was injured. I was a dancer, and suddenly, I couldn't move the way I used to. Finding Fletcher Pilates in Arizona changed everything. It wasn't just about 'getting fit' or hitting specific aesthetic goals; it was about the Fletcher lineage, percussive breathing, and understanding how the spine actually works. Returning to India, I felt like an outsider. Most Pilates studios here were focused on other methods, and I was the only one teaching Fletcher. I spent years doubting myself, wondering if I knew enough, and struggling to run a passion-based business. I have had workshops canceled and classes with a single student, but those moments forced me to refine my teaching. I stopped trying to sell weight loss or 'perfect bodies' because that isn't the truth. My classes in Bangalore and online are for people who want to understand their anatomy, improve their posture, and find strength in movement. Whether you are a dancer, a yoga teacher, or someone who has never touched a mat, I am here to help you connect with your body on your own terms. We will work on the tiny muscles, the alignment, and the breath—the stuff that actually helps you feel better in your daily life. ## About Akshata Joshi I am Akshata. I am not a fitness guru or someone who has it all figured out. I am just a dancer-turned-Pilates-teacher who believes movement should feel good, not just look good. My classes are a place to figure out your own body, messy bits and all. [See all of Akshata Joshi's services](https://mytribe.in/fletcherindia_akshata) ## More from Fletcher Pilates Teacher Training & Certification by Akshata Joshi - [Featured](https://mytribe.in/fletcherindia_akshata/fletcher-pilates-teacher-training-certification/featured) - [Become a Certified Fletcher Pilates Teacher](https://mytribe.in/fletcherindia_akshata/fletcher-pilates-teacher-training-certification/become-a-certified-fletcher-pilates-teacher) - [Inside the Teacher Training](https://mytribe.in/fletcherindia_akshata/fletcher-pilates-teacher-training-certification/inside-the-teacher-training) - [The Fletcher Matwork Repertoire](https://mytribe.in/fletcherindia_akshata/fletcher-pilates-teacher-training-certification/the-fletcher-matwork-repertoire) - [Beyond the Mat: Apparatus & Advanced Work](https://mytribe.in/fletcherindia_akshata/fletcher-pilates-teacher-training-certification/beyond-the-mat-apparatus-advanced-work) ## More services by Akshata Joshi - [Fletcher Pilates Classes & Workshops](https://mytribe.in/fletcherindia_akshata/fletcher-pilates-classes-workshops) ## Similar work from other experts - [Real Journeys into Classical Pilates Teaching](https://mytribe.in/pilatesforwellbeing/pilates-teacher-training/from-student-to-teacher-real-journeys) by Kavita Prakash · Pilates Teacher Training · Training at studio in Lavelle Road, Bengaluru - [My Pilates Journey and Professional Growth](https://mytribe.in/arth.studio/pilates-instruction/my-journey-professional-growth) by Aakruti · Pilates Instruction · Online classes; Studio sessions in Indiranagar & Kasavanahalli - [My Journey: From Physiotherapy to Yoga and Pilates](https://mytribe.in/saraa.physio/therapeutic-yoga/my-journey-from-physio-to-yoga) by Sara Najafi · Therapeutic Yoga · Available Online & at Studio in HSR Layout - [My Movement Journey and Dance Philosophy](https://mytribe.in/moving__body/competition-choreography-training/my-movement-journey-philosophy) by Suraj · Competition Choreography & Training · Online classes; In-person at 5 studios in Bengaluru, and across Mysuru & Vijayawada - [Meet Your Coach: My Pilates Journey & Philosophy](https://mytribe.in/dfitdiva/therapeutic-exercise-injury-prevention/meet-your-coach-my-journey-expertise) by Prajakta Date · Therapeutic Exercise & Injury Prevention · Online consultations available; In-person sessions at Whitefield, Gunjur & Varthur - [My Journey: From Chartered Accountant to Fitness Coach](https://mytribe.in/barefoot_coach_shanth_koushik/yoga-instruction/my-journey-inspiration) by Shanthi Krishnan · Yoga Instruction · Classes in HSR & Bellandur; Home visits across Bengaluru; Available Online ## Book To book Akshata Joshi, message mytribe on WhatsApp: [Chat on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/916360004054?text=Hi%20Akshata%2C%20I%20saw%20your%20journey%20page%20on%20mytribe%20and%20I'd%20love%20to%20know%20more%20about%20your%20Pilates%20classes.%20Are%20you%20taking%20new%20students%3F)