Hi, I'm Paula- Herbalist, Reformer Pilates Instructor, Wellness CoachI'm the Snickelfritz of Movement + Herbal Nerd-ism When I was a kid, one of my nicknames was 'snickelfritz'. It's a Pennsylvania Dutch word that refers to children who talk a lot and constantly ask questions. (PA Dutch is the language of the PA Amish, from the Ancient German they spoke when they came to the United States. Do a Google, it's a fascinating rabbit hole) (And it's really just pronounced s'nickel-fritz) If you now me today, you know that 'snickelfritz' is not JUST a good description of me as a child! The difference is that now, I have a lot of answers too. After 15 years of studying the body and educating, both as a Reformer Pilates instructor and Herbalist, I've learned so much about what we need to undo old habits, build up a strong foundation, and just feel better. Work with me in-person or online and become a Movement and Wellness Snickelfritz with me! |
INVENTIVE STYLE, UNTRADITIONAL SKILLSET
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I’m Paula Billig, a fitness and wellness coach who teaches people that want to restore and maintain an active life how to overcome their physical histories and patterns. I layer herbs and exercise to build truly holistic health, structurally and systemically. Teaching and coaching with a combination of solid knowledge, saucy questions to get you thinking, and a flare for the dramatic (but no drama!) is my jam.
People come to me when they’re curious about this alternative stuff, when they’re feeling disconnected from the “morebiggerfaster” culture. Together we create new trails in the wellness jungle- it’s like having an adventure tour guide and an executive assistant at the same time. I simplify the chaos, break down the overwhelm into processes and action steps, and strategize to find the shortest path to the biggest goals.
I’ve earned 15 years experience running a Reformer Pilates studio, so my high-touch, eagle-eyed, personal attention game is on point. I also have 10+ years teaching Herbal Wellness, and a lifetime of herbal training, so my personal and professional continuum from Intuitive to Logical is broad and deep. My unique position between these two “industries”, fitness and alternative health, gives me an exceptional vantage point to help you navigate your personal journey.
People come to me when they’re curious about this alternative stuff, when they’re feeling disconnected from the “morebiggerfaster” culture. Together we create new trails in the wellness jungle- it’s like having an adventure tour guide and an executive assistant at the same time. I simplify the chaos, break down the overwhelm into processes and action steps, and strategize to find the shortest path to the biggest goals.
I’ve earned 15 years experience running a Reformer Pilates studio, so my high-touch, eagle-eyed, personal attention game is on point. I also have 10+ years teaching Herbal Wellness, and a lifetime of herbal training, so my personal and professional continuum from Intuitive to Logical is broad and deep. My unique position between these two “industries”, fitness and alternative health, gives me an exceptional vantage point to help you navigate your personal journey.
Still Curious?
Here’s how I see it:
Every choice we make, everything we do or don’t do, adds onto everything else. It’s all inputs.
Every choice we make, everything we do or don’t do, adds onto everything else. It’s all inputs.
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It just so happens that my dual fascinations, physical movement and plant chemistry, are HUGE sources of potentially positive inputs! And together they are exponentially more powerful (this just means that 2+2= something much, much bigger than 4)
Let me tell you a secret- some of this just happened by happy accident. When I was very young, my mom shifted our family to a regimen of herbal supplements and what you’d now call a low-inflammation diet. She was at her wit’s end with her twin toddler’s constant ear infections and let me tell you, it worked. I’ve known herbal medicine was my destiny since elementary school. (I have a cousin who remembers me giving her a tour of my herb garden when I was 9 years old. What a nerd! Me, not her.) At some point I finally made the connection between that tall plant by the side of the road, its picture in a book we had, and the Mullein capsules we took. I don’t know if I can explain how profound this was for little me- these pills we took weren’t just replacements for the medicines that we used to take that made me crazy hyper and sick. They were PLANTS. That I could GROW. And get to KNOW. |
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We lived way far out in rural Pennsylvania, and suddenly the land around me morphed from “home” into “potential”. |
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But how does a girl get from 1980’s rural life (more insulated and isolated than you can imagine!) to today’s roaring online life?
There were a few twists and turns:
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And now here it is, the future, and here I am- a hybrid of herbalism, pilates, independence, community, logic, intuition, nourishment, alignment and movement (literally & figuratively).
Other things clients have said about being in my classes:
A pre-wedding pilates party
"Paula is so dedicated to helping people improve their lives, not out of her own ego, but because she really cares about others."
"I've been trying to figure out how to describe her super power as an explainer-of-things. She's really excellent at that. And I think what it boils down to is that she's really skilled at figuring out how someone needs something explained, which is where her intuition really comes into play."
"Paula always has a smile on her face and a gentle way about her. She is approachable and trustworthy. She won’t judge. I know that I can be vulnerable with her, share the not-so-nice parts of my life, and she always make me feel better about myself. She paints a picture of a brighter, more hopeful tomorrow that keeps me going."
"She manages to balance a practical, no-nonsense approach to life, teaching, and learning with a whimsical nature. She sees the beauty and magic in everyday life and the knowledge she seeks and dispenses, even if at first blush it appears mundane to others."
"I've been trying to figure out how to describe her super power as an explainer-of-things. She's really excellent at that. And I think what it boils down to is that she's really skilled at figuring out how someone needs something explained, which is where her intuition really comes into play."
"Paula always has a smile on her face and a gentle way about her. She is approachable and trustworthy. She won’t judge. I know that I can be vulnerable with her, share the not-so-nice parts of my life, and she always make me feel better about myself. She paints a picture of a brighter, more hopeful tomorrow that keeps me going."
"She manages to balance a practical, no-nonsense approach to life, teaching, and learning with a whimsical nature. She sees the beauty and magic in everyday life and the knowledge she seeks and dispenses, even if at first blush it appears mundane to others."
Take The Next Step
I've collected some of my favorite resources- herbal, gardening, professional, and more- in a free Resources Hub right here. I invite you to join us there and explore!
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Paula's Education |
Media Links |
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Places I've Learned:
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Places I've Taught:
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