Julie Pujols Benoît, creator of Pilates Booty

Julie Pujols, creator of Pilates Booty, has created a special abs session on the Atelier Nubio video platform and three mini trainings for #cleanjanuary.

Follow Julie on Instagram , in videos and 'in real life' here.

Where are your roots?

I'm a country girl at heart; I grew up a few kilometers from Bordeaux, in a small village I love to revisit when I go to see my mother. From the Southwest, I've retained a taste for local produce, for conviviality, and also for red wine. And although I've become a true city girl, that little girl who grew up in the woods is still very much a part of me.

What makes you feel alive?

People. I'm lucky to have amazing friends, inspiring students who have been with me for years, and the more time passes, the more wonderful people I meet. I might bump into an incredible 55-year-old woman at my hairdresser's who tells me she's been traveling the world for 22 years, I spend Saturday afternoons with my friend Marie Jo who's 84 years young, I chat with my greengrocer two or three times a week... It's all these people who make me feel alive, who move me.

You live in Paris, what do you like/dislike about this city?

I'm in love with my city; I've lived here for almost 12 years. Even at 10, I told my parents I'd move there soon... which I did. I love its streets, its monuments that still fill me with wonder, its bistros, the whirlwind that sweeps us away, its cultural offerings, its diversity. But sometimes I feel ashamed to be Parisian when I see migrants in the streets and the homeless, ostracized by a society that doesn't care for the most vulnerable.

Where do you like to hang out in Paris?

I love my neighborhood, the 11th arrondissement, more than anything. I stroll along the Canal Saint-Martin all year round, and the 18th is like a little village that I adore. Right now, my guilty pleasure is the restaurant Le Dauphin, run by chef Inaki in the Parmentier district.

What are your favorite forms of physical and spiritual nourishment?

I'm a real foodie, a big fan of good homemade food, and not exactly a dieter, I confess... I haven't eaten meat since I was 14, so I compensate with fish. Otherwise, I love potatoes in all their forms and I adore fruits and vegetables! As for my spiritual nourishment, it's art, especially reading. I read a lot, which is only natural, since I studied Modern Literature and if I could, I'd spend my life writing a thesis at university. I'm also a music fan; in fact, I was a music journalist for years, and I love painting and sculpture. The older I get, the less I can live without culture. It's what drives me, just like sports.

How do you recharge when you feel things are going too fast or sounding fake?

I'm off to see the sea; it's my element, especially the Mediterranean. It relaxes me, envelops me, and soothes me. I also love the countryside, taking long walks that invigorate me and reconnect me with nature. In the city, I'm a spa addict; I could go every week. And if not, I opt for a facial massage with Emmanuelle Rodeghiero .

Your inside/out beauty routine Atelier Nubio.

I can no longer do without the Bone Broth treatment; it does wonders for my skin. In the afternoon, I have a snack with the "We Want a Doll-Like Complexion" in almond milk, and every morning, depending on the time of year, I take either the detox booster or the "We Want Mermaid Hair" product. I'm a huge fan of Atelier Nubio products.

Tell us about your encounter with this practice?

Ten years ago, just after obtaining my state diploma to be a sports coach. At first, I found it a bit slow and easy, but with practice, I became addicted!

How did you train (and how do you continue to train)?

I completed an excellent 8-month training program, two weekends a month. Back then, it wasn't like today where you can get trained in just a few hours, and that's something I really regret these days... Pilates is serious; it's a discipline that requires time to learn, practice, and so on. Even now, I regularly delve into reference books to continue learning—it's essential!

How have Pilates transformed your relationship with your body, your health, and your vitality?

I've never seen a discipline that transforms bodies so much; I realized it first in myself, then in my students. Pilates intensely strengthens the core, the deep abdominal muscles, and the pelvic floor. As a result, you have better posture, no more back pain, your silhouette lengthens, your waist slims, and having a toned pelvic floor even (greatly) improves your sex life... Yes, really!

You created 'pilates booty' - make us want to get started!

This is *the* class for us women. It's true, we suffer a lot—my students complain loudly even after years—but our legs get toned, our buttocks round out and lift, and our stomachs get flatter and flatter. The results are clearly visible after two months with two classes a week. Even I'm still sometimes amazed when my students show me before-and-after photos! And above all, we have a blast in class, we listen to Britney Spears and Usher, and we leave with our confidence boosted!

What is your most exciting project at the moment?

I've been volunteering at the Fresnes Women's Prison since September, and I'm currently building a small team with sophrologists and yoga instructors to teach meditation and relaxation to the inmates. I'm convinced these practices help them in their daily lives, and especially with their reintegration. If any readers are interested, please feel free to contact me!