Moves for Boobs: This Sunday’s pink-themed Pilates fundraiser with heart

Posted on 10 October, 2023

This Sunday 15 October, a series of very special Pilates classes will be held in Mawson, where the music will be pumping, the vibes will be high and the dress code will be pink.

Pink? Yes, pink. And throw in some t-shirts with boobs on them. Because this will be no ordinary Sunday afternoon, this will be a “Sunday afternoon of pink, joyful movement! Think: the Barbie premiere, but sweatier.”

Created by passionate trio Jess Dalton, Kath Ilijoski and Christine Aldridge, Moves for Boobs will be a series of fundraising reformer Pilates classes with a serious dose of fun and a much more serious message — to check your boobs.

Raising awareness of the signs of breast cancer and money for breast cancer research, Moves for Boobs encourages Canberrans to dress up and get sweaty at Power Flow Pilates in Mawson as you’re taken through a 45-minute reformer Pilates class — and no, you don’t need any prior Pilates experience.

While the first class is sold out, tickets are still available for the classes at 1 pm, 2 pm and 3 pm for $50 per spot with 100% of the proceeds going to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

“We encourage everyone attending to wear as much pink as they can,” says co-organiser of Moves for Boobs, photographer and Pilates instructor Christine Aldridge.

“There is a lucky door prize valued at $200 for one attendee, boob T-shirts for sale thanks to the legends at Knight Shift, great tunes, raffle tickets with prizes values at over $1000, protein ball nibbles (not nipples… but those will be there too) donated by Georgia at HerMatters Clinic, awareness cookies donated by Kathy at the Canberra Cake Studio, pink pilates grip socks from Erin at Elagile who has seriously discounted her prices to help support the cause, that sweet, sweet pilates burn, AND SO MANY GOOD VIBES. This Canberra community is absolutely insane! Everyone shows so much love in so many incredible ways. 100% of the proceeds will be donated to NBCF.”

Power Flow Pilates. Credit: Converge Marketing. Image supplied.

Fellow Moves for Boobs co-organisers Kath Ilijoski, owner of 121 Hair in Queanbeyan, and Jess Dalton, owner of Power Flow Pilates, are just as passionate about the day, and the cause.  A seasoned fundraiser, Kath, has been supporting the NBCF for almost two decades, due to her family’s experience with this aggressive illness.

“I have been fundraising for the last 18 years, having my first NBCF charity on the first year anniversary of opening the salon,” says Kath. “Breast cancer has affected my family significantly, with my grandmother, sister, mother, and mother-in-law passing away, as well as my Aunty recently being diagnosed.”

The event’s spirit of support, community and awareness is something Jess says comes naturally at Power Flow.

“The entire reason Power Flow exists is to provide a welcoming place to help people in our community find joy in movement and help to improve their health and wellbeing. Not only does the cause tie in with the whole reason of why we exist, but breast cancer has impacted the lives of so many people that we know and love, from our close family and friends to members of our studio community.”

Having worked together creatively in the past, Christine, Kath and Jess saw a perfect opportunity to collaborate in Moves for Boobs.

“It was the easiest “YES!” from all three of us,” says Christine. “It’s hard to find anyone without a personal connection to breast cancer, and that needs to change. I feel so lucky to have strong, successful and fearless women like Kath and Jess to collaborate with, especially when it comes to the causes that really matter.”

Jess Dalton, Kath Ilijoski and Christine Aldridge. Image supplied.

“Breast cancer has touched all of our close family members…Jess and I also recently had a close friend receive a diagnosis only weeks before getting Moves for Boobs up and running. It happens too often. We’re all sick of the people we love getting sick.”

“I feel like since we started, we have all heard so many more stories of every age and demographic being shocked with diagnosis, pushing doctors to look deeper and of people trusting their guts when they know something just isn’t right.

“Self-exams and early detection are super important, however, if I’m being honest, at the end of the day I really don’t know what’s a rib and what I have to worry about! I’m 36 and, because mammograms aren’t recommended until after 40 (without symptoms), I’ve never had one. That’s changing this year for me! We really do have to take control of our bodies.”

“Moves for Boobs is about starting conversations and reminding the people we love that they are not just another number. We are fighting for them however we can. Being healthy and moving your body is an absolute privilege.”

As for people who have never tried reformer Pilates, Christine says this is a safe space for everyone and beginners are more than welcome this Sunday.

“This event is suitable to everyone, REALLY. Everyone. Have no idea what a reformer is? Come. Already obsessed with reformer Pilates? Come. I always say that when it comes to movement, there is no right or wrong.”

“Usually, if you’re nervous about feeling dumb or weird, so is the person beside you, so no one cares. Plus I’m weird enough for a stadium of humans. The space at Power Flow is so safe, for all shapes and sizes and abilities and curiosities. Just bring you… and probs some water.”

Feature image: Jess Dalton, Kath Ilijoski and Christine Aldridge. Image supplied.