We had the good fortune of connecting with Darla Jentzsch and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Darla, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I started my own business in 2002 to teach and bring the magic of Pilates to my community. I found Pilates as an exercise program and healing system that became a true and proven system to me. I started my business to incorporate all of the training and teachings I had learned throughout my life. My studio specializes in creating a connected mind, body, and spirit. I feel Pilates is for everybody. As a dancer and family member of multiple cancer patients, I started to focus my healing arts on rehabilitation and endurance as a Cancer Exercise Therapist. I work with athletes searching for peak performance, injured seeking relief and anyone looking to discover their authentic self. I believe if everyone begins with themselves and is authentic than the world can be changed. I have incorporated teaching dance and movement as I am graduating with my Master of Arts in Dance Education with an emphasis of teaching Pilates and Dance in the community and school systems. I have recently been a freelance and traveling Pilates and Dance teacher and have created a movement program incorporating Pilates, Dance, Yoga, Yamuna, Capoeira, and academics. I am excited to share with the community my creation. I plan to continue incorporating new movement and lessons into my studio and I am available for in need.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My career as a business owner, instructor and a performing artist sets me apart from other teachers. My classes are designed to teach proper breathing, use of muscles, concentration, and is a mix of everything I have studied in dance. I have a passion for helping people heal, connect and to discover their authentic self. Connecting the mind, body, and spirit is my goal for my students and everyone who enters my studio. I teach and implement the message “peace, love, and respect for everyone” whom I learned from the late Baba Chuck Davis. I feel movement has the power to connect and heal not only people, but the world. I want to reach as many as I can with this message. I am proud to be a business woman and to support my community. I have overcome challenges and hope to also help others to do the same. I am honored to be a 1999 graduate of the Pilates Center of Boulder and their International training program. I also feel honored to be a Cancer Exercise Therapist who offers free and insurance based classes for individuals and groups. I am graduating with my Masters Degree in Dance Education with a k-12 teaching licensure and plan take to my studies into the school system. I am also honored to represent Boulder County as Mrs. Boulder County 2021 in the June 5, 2021 Mrs. Colorado pageant. If I am offered the opportunity to represent the state of Colorado, I would be more than proud while having my dream job and taking my love for healing and dance nation wide.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love it when I have visitors. Depending on who my visitors are and for how long their visit, would decide our destinations. Boulder would be our base and we would venture off and around there. I love to climb and do anything outdoors so my guest would see a lot of nature. Boulder being close to some of the worlds best climbing I would go to Eldorado Canyon, Boulder Canyon, Rocky Mountain National Park, Clear Creek Canyon and of course the legendary Boulder Flatirons. I would also take them to Nederland to hike in the Indian Peak Wilderness for a picnic. To Rocky Mountain to Climb Longs Peak and walk in the legendary town to get taffy and ice cream. If time prevailed we would go camping and look at the Colorado stars and find a creek or river to fish, raft, paddleboard and relax. Not only would we go exploring, but also enjoy the beauty and unique qualities of Boulder. Visiting Boulder deems a drive by the original “Mork and “Mindy “house on the way to Pearl Street. While on Pearl Street we would enjoy the live music, performers, and artists while eating incredible food. The day would start with breakfast and tea at the Dushanbe Tea House. The inside is magical and full of beauty and love. The Teahouse is one that symbolizes years of friendship between two cities on opposite sides of the globe. The teahouse was built by hand in Dushanbe, Tajikistan in 1987 and then was gifted to Boulder on Jul 31, 2018. Before leaving Pearl Street I would make a stop at Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream and grab some chocolate from the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory to take home. For a night out, I would go to the Flagstaff House on Flagstaff Mountain to enjoy an elegant dinner and than to Catacombs or Boulder Theatre to listen to music and dance. If there was a dance concert or art display we would be visiting and joining in if possible.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Thank you to all of my supporters and teachers in my life. Thank you to my parents and my family for always installing the attitude of giving my best, to treat others respectfully, and to enjoy life to it’s fullest. I am thankful for them taking me to dance and gymnastics and letting me discover and always supporting my art. I have had incredible dance and gymnastics teachers who taught me lessons not only about dance, but friendship and respect. I have been able to incorporate dance into my career with their everlasting support. I want to thank my college professors at the University of Colorado at Boulder and University of Northern Colorado Dance Departments. I am thankful to the NBA organization, the Denver Nuggets and the Denver Nuggets Dancers and Dance Alumni team. I am thankful for my Pilates Mentors and trainers from the Pilates Center of Boulder whom after a dance injury healed me and taught me the magic of Pilates. I thank the Pilates Method Alliance for creating an organization to keep instructors learning and growing together. I am grateful to the Cancer Exercise Foundation to be a Cancer Exercise Therapist and get the chance to work with patients and survivors. I thank the Mrs. Colorado organization for having a place for married women to prosper, empower their communities and create a supportive family environment. I want to thank all of my friends students, and clients for the lessons they have taught me. A special thank you to my children and husband for helping me to continue to discover and grow. I am truly thankful for all of the support and lessons I have learned.

Instagram: darlajentzsch_

Linkedin: Darla Jentzsch – Darla’s Pilates Studio, Ltd.

Facebook: Darla Bartlett-Jentzsch and Darla’s Pilates Studio, Ltd.

Other: Follow my journey at #mrsbouldercounty2021 http://mrscolorado.com/peoplechoice/darla (website to vote for me until Jun 5. Most votes sends contestant to top 6)

Image Credits
Megan E. Anderson

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutColorado is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.