Merrill Ulbricht grew up in Uvalde, but when she met her husband Adam, who was born and raised in Edna, she knew that Jackson County would be her home. It is where she has lived and worked ever since. For the last decade and a half, she has raised her three children in Jackson County.
“I’ve been here over 15 years,” she said, “so now I say I am from Edna.”
Her husband owns Texana Energy, and now, right next door, at 205 W. Main St. in Edna, Merrill is bringing something new to the area – a business called Resolve Pilates Studio.
She took her first Pilates class in college, 20 years ago.
“Ever since then, I guess it’s just been part of my life,” she said. “Sometimes more than others.”
A conversation with a friend of a friend made her rethink her relationship with Pilates, and realized maybe instead of just enjoying it, she could teach it.
“She owned two studios in New York, and it was something I had always thought about,” she said. “The friend and I just sat and talked for a long time, and she was just super encouraging.”
So, Merrill started looking into certifications to become a Pilates instructor.
“There are so many certification programs out there,” she said. “Some, you can get in a weekend. I didn’t want that. I wanted to do something that was nationally recognized. I put in a lot of hours taking classes, observing other instructors, self practice, and student teaching.”
To teach Pilates, one needs to have multiple skills, including understanding the human body, and in doing so, understanding how to make Pilates accessible to everyone.
“I had to take an anatomy class, and had to learn how to make modifications for people who have osteoporosis, or are aging, are pregnant, or maybe they have a sports injury or something. I have to be really well versed in how the body works.”
Because of this, she believes that Pilates are for everyone. Young, old, able bodies, disabled, injured, and more. Merrill wants everyone to not only feel welcome but genuinely benefit from their experience, and while most people who do Pilates are women, she hopes that men will choose to come too.
