New Student Checklist
Bettina Williford Bettina Williford

New Student Checklist

It can be scary to show up at a new place. Be assured, Bett Pilates will welcome you into class with a warm and inviting smile. Here is a checklist to help you prepare for your upcoming visit.

Come join us on the mat!

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Pilates en Español
Bettina Williford Bettina Williford

Pilates en Español

"When a new student told me other studios wouldn't reply to her Spanish emails, my heart broke. I might have a 'comedic' vocabulary and a complete lack of Spanish conjugation, but I believe Pilates is for everyone. From accidental jokes about 'greasing hips with cooking oil' to using pantomime to find the right stretch, our bilingual lessons are filled with joy, laughter, and deep connection. In this studio, you aren't judged for what you speak—only celebrated for how you move. Come find your community at Bett Pilates."

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Insta-worthy
Bettina Williford Bettina Williford

Insta-worthy

"In a world of flashy special effects and 'Insta-worthy' perfection, we’ve decided to take a different road: the road of authenticity. Partnering with my friend Indah, we pair aesthetic video with honest messaging to bring you real Pilates for real people. Our goal isn't to go viral; it's to be subject matter experts who lead with kindness, credibility, and the 'Do No Harm' code of conduct. We aren't perfect, and we don't expect you to be either—we're just here to be ourselves, because everyone else is already taken."

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Indah!
Bettina Williford Bettina Williford

Indah!

"Moving to Midland meant leaving behind a community of Pilates colleagues and entering what felt like a 'Pilates desert.' I was looking for an oasis of connection, but found only suspicion until an email from Indah changed everything. What started as a shared interest in mat training blossomed into a deep friendship and a professional partnership. From discovering our husbands work together to launching 'Camp Pilates,' this journey proves that there is always room for collaboration over competition. Together, we are bringing a colorful, intentional, and traditional approach to Joseph Pilates’ work to the Tall City."

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Small & Focused
Bettina Williford Bettina Williford

Small & Focused

"At a large national chain, the goal was volume: 12 reformers, 12 bodies, every hour. While I respect the mission to make Pilates accessible, my heart was searching for something deeper. I believe in a 'Do No Harm' philosophy, which is impossible to maintain when you don't know the person behind the movement.

Whether you're navigating a recent surgery, a complex medical diagnosis, or just a day where your 'brain salad' feels overwhelming, I believe you deserve more than a signed disclaimer. You deserve to be seen. In my small classes and private sessions in Midland, we move beyond the intake form to build a relationship that honors your goals, protects your safety, and supports your mental health. From 'sweaty hugs' to custom lesson plans, this is Pilates with a personal heart."

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The Blue Pillow
Bettina Williford Bettina Williford

The Blue Pillow

You don’t need expensive, brand-name equipment to see real results in your body. One of my favorite tools is a simple 13” wobbly stability disc. Whether I’m using it as a lumbar support in my office chair to ease back pain or using it in the studio to mimic a spine corrector, this versatile tool provides the feedback and engagement needed for a deeper practice. From helping teen clients with toe walking to challenging your planks with a point of imbalance, it is an inexpensive way to customize your movement. It’s your body, and one size does not fit all—this little disc helps you find the 'squish' that’s just right for you."

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Longhorn in a sea of Maroon…
Bettina Williford Bettina Williford

Longhorn in a sea of Maroon…

"The legendary rivalry is back! But for this Longhorn married to an Aggie, the return of the Thanksgiving showdown means an eight-hour trek from Midland to Kyle Field. Long car rides are grueling, leaving the lower back cramped and hamstrings tight. While it’s tempting to push through the miles, your body pays the price. Instead of folding into more flexion, I’m sharing why extension is the secret to arriving at the tailgate ache-free. From gas station 'Swans' to roadside planks, learn how a little self-care ensures you can cheer (even in burnt orange!) with a bright spirit."

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From Pilates to Can-Can
Bettina Williford Bettina Williford

From Pilates to Can-Can

After a year of life-altering transitions—moving to Midland, sending my child to college, and opening my own business—I found myself on the stage of the Yucca Theater. I went to volunteer; I left as a dancer for the 2024 Summer Mummers season. Despite a history of stage fright and a complete lack of formal dance training, I traded my Pilates equipment for a Can-Can skirt. It hasn't been perfect—I've kicked fellow dancers and turned the wrong way more than once—but in the midst of the chaos, I found exactly what I needed: the courage to think less, move more, and belly laugh at the antics."

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The Photo
Bettina Williford Bettina Williford

The Photo

"In 2012 I lost 86 pounds, but the heaviest thing I ever carried wasn't the weight—it was the emotional baggage of the past. When I sat for a photoshoot with Dorly at Goldenlight Creative, I realized I was still struggling to see the 'Real Me' hiding underneath the transition. I had burned the bridges to my past by tossing my 'fat clothes,' yet I hadn't learned how to sit with the satisfaction of the present. This is a story about moving past the 'Before and After' photos to finally exist in the Now, validated not by a scale, but by the honesty of transformation."

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(not so) Former Fat Girl
Bettina Williford Bettina Williford

(not so) Former Fat Girl

"I tossed out my 'fat clothes' as if I were burning a bridge, but the emotional weight proved harder to shed. Standing in the middle of a major life transition, I found myself shivering in a photography studio, unable to recognize the woman in the fashion magazines. I didn't want to be a 'before and after' poster—I was struggling just to be a 'Now.' Through the gifted lens of Dorly Cue, I learned that transformation isn't about a number on a scale; it's about the honesty of the journey. Today, I don't look back at the pants that used to fit; I look at the woman who exists and matters today."

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Goals and Reflections
Bettina Williford Bettina Williford

Goals and Reflections

"In 2023, I spent my birthday trying to 'force-feed' my Pilates apprentice hours, ending the day exhausted and obsessed with a date on the calendar. Today, I look back and chuckle. In the 365 days since, I’ve moved past arbitrary numbers to something much loftier: I opened my own studio, found a group of clients I adore, and—as of this month—turned my first profit. My migraines are gone, my strength is at an all-time high, and I’m finally trading the 'hustle' for the 'moment.' Here is to failing forward and looking toward the future with an open, excited heart."

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Real
Bettina Williford Bettina Williford

Real

"I tossed out my 'fat clothes' to burn the bridge to my past, but the emotional weight proved harder to shed. Shivering in a photography studio and unable to see myself in the glossy pages of fashion magazines, I realized I didn't want a 'before and after'—I wanted to be seen. Drawing strength from The Velveteen Rabbit, I discovered that being 'Real' isn't about a number on a scale; it's about the honesty of the journey. In the dappled light of transformation, I learned that once you become Real, you can't become Unreal again. I am not a project; I am a Now."

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Not Yet
Bettina Williford Bettina Williford

Not Yet

Part 2 - Discovering what you look like in your new-ish body.

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Losing weight was the easy part
Bettina Williford Bettina Williford

Losing weight was the easy part

"In 2012, I chose gastric bypass as a tool to reclaim my health, but I wasn't prepared for the mental exhaustion of the metamorphosis. As the pounds peeled away, I found myself layering on oversized clothes, feeling cold, exposed, and vulnerable. My inner self didn't match the image in the mirror, and even kind compliments felt like a pelting of spring hail. This wasn't a 'miracle cure'; it was a complex puzzle of health and self-perception. In the heat of a Texas summer, standing at my lowest weight with safety-pinned clothes, I had to face the most terrifying question of all: Was I finally real?"

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Passing a test
Bettina Williford Bettina Williford

Passing a test

"I’m a nervous test taker. From overthinking multiple-choice questions to racing to finish first just to escape the anxiety, I’ve always felt the pressure of the 'right answer.' But in Pilates, there is no right answer—there is only the concept. I teach without loud music or mirrors because I want your eyes on your own paper. Whether your hips snap, crackle, and pop or you 'die a little' during a Front Leg Pull, your movement is right for you in this moment. As long as you are safe, the work is exactly where it needs to be."

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Does this look hard?
Pilates muscles, Reducing pain Bettina Williford Pilates muscles, Reducing pain Bettina Williford

Does this look hard?

"Pilates can be as hard or as easy as you want it to be. In fact, as I grow in my practice, the movements actually get more difficult because I'm learning how to truly engage. It’s not about the filters or the perfect pose—it’s about the work happening beneath the surface. Forget the 'Texas allergies' or the 'Godiva chocolate'—the real difference in a Pull Up is the intentional push into the chair that rounds the spine and lengths the front line. This is a real Pilates body: hair asunder, no makeup, and 100% authentic."

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Solid Gold
Bettina Williford Bettina Williford

Solid Gold

"In my head, I was a Solid Gold Dancer. In reality, I was limping into Zumba with knee braces, a herniated disc, and a cranky hip. I thought I wasn't 'one of those Pilates gals,' but my inner insecurities were just guarding my pain. One introductory lesson changed everything. I didn't need more stretching; I needed stability and connection. Within eight weeks, the knee braces were gone and the pain was manageable. Pilates didn't just fix my back; it answered the unarticulated question: How can I feel better about everything? Now, I’m bringing that same healing movement to Midland so you can get back to doing what you love."

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Pilates & Self Practice
Bettina Williford Bettina Williford

Pilates & Self Practice

Joseph Pilates designed the original thirty-four exercises to be more than a workout; they are a sequence for living. Whether I’m feeling on top of the world or my attitude is swimming in a dumpster, my answer is always the same: a nap and Pilates. Moving through the sequence—from the breath of the Hundred to the final Push-Up—allows me to erase the puzzles of my mind. By the time I rise from the mat, the sting of life’s speed bumps has calmed. I exercise for health, but I do Pilates to feel Improved. It’s my ultimate reward."

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Pilates & Lobsters
Bettina Williford Bettina Williford

Pilates & Lobsters

"In order for a lobster to grow, it must shed its exoskeleton—a process that leaves it blind, exposed, and vulnerable in a hostile environment. I found myself in this 'lobsterhood' during my Pilates teacher training. After years of thinking I knew it all, my shell was crushed, and I realized I knew nothing. But it was in that complete defeat that I found a new way of seeing movement. Whether you are a teacher or a student, growth requires us to crack the shells of yesterday’s habits. It’s scary to be exposed, but on the other side is a stronger, more resilient version of yourself. Go lobster, go!"

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