Pilates for Abortion Funds is a small, independent fundraiser that launched in July 2022 as a way to turn post-Dobbs despair into action.
Since well before Roe v Wade was overturned, access to abortion has been difficult and expensive, making it out of reach for many people who desperately need this critical form of health care, particularly people in challenging financial situations, minoritized groups, and those who live in rural areas. Abortion funds have been operating for many years to help patients cover not only the procedure itself but transportation, lodging, childcare, and other related expenses. The events of summer 2022 made this need even greater and more urgent.
PFAF is a monthly, all-levels, body neutral Pilates class for which the cost of entry is proof of a donation of any amount to a local/state/regional abortion fund of your choice, the WI-based clinic Care for All, or the National Network of Abortion Funds. Since July 2022, we have collectively raised more than $45,000 for abortion funds, and we’re looking forward to seeing that number continue to grow.
To minimize transaction costs (and administrative red tape!) I don’t accept donations myself — instead, please donate directly to the National Network of Abortion Funds (or your favorite local abortion fund). Any amount works! Then forward me your donation receipt email at annamaltby at gmail dot com. If you make a one-time donation, I’ll add you to the next event. If you make a recurring monthly donation, I’ll add you to all future events.
Donate any amount to your favorite local (city/state/regional) abortion fund or the National Network of Abortion Funds. You can also donate to Care for All, a new independent non-profit clinic in WI. (Preferably a monthly contribution!)
Forward me your confirmation email or send me a screenshot proving your contribution.
I’ll add you to the calendar invite with the Zoom info. For a one-off donation, I’ll add you to the next event only. For a recurring donation (encouraged!), I’ll add you to all future events.
Classes are on Tuesday evenings on Zoom, with recording sent to all donors the next day. Upcoming classes:
All you need is a mat, some water, and a comfortable space. If you have a hard floor, you might want two mats, or a beach towel on top of your mat, for a little extra cushioning. Pets are very welcome.
Basically, no diet/weight/body-shape-and-size talk. My focus is 100% on functional fitness and feeling good. Full disclosure: I am a thin, white cis woman teaching through an inclusive, body-neutral lens.
It’s fine to keep your camera off (though if you’d like to keep it on, it’s always nice to see friendly faces!). If you need to use a Zoom display name other than your real name, just let me know in advance so I can admit you to the room.
Since July 2022, we have collectively donated more than $45,000 to abortion funds!
I record each class and will send a link to the video shortly afterwards to all who donated. (Even if you attend “live,” you’ll still get the video.)
No experience necessary. I’ll be teaching at a beginner level and offering plenty of modifications and variations. I know Pilates can sometimes seem intimidating, but this is a very friendly space (and breaks are encouraged!).
Learn more here!
I almost always have a friend standing by to admit people to the Zoom room (cross-checking their names with our RSVP list), monitor the chat, and take care of any funny business. Which has never happened (so far)!
I spent about 15 years as a magazine and digital editor, working on health and fitness content (among other things!) for publications such as SELF, Real Simple, Refinery29, and Elemental. I became an ACE–certified personal trainer in 2015, a prenatal and postpartum exercise specialist in 2017, and a beginner and intermediate mat Pilates instructor in 2021. I helped create and launch Nike Training Club’s first-ever comprehensive prenatal and postpartum exercise program, Nike (M)ove Like a Mother, in 2022, and currently work as a consulting script writer and content strategist for Hinge Health, as well as a personal trainer and mat Pilates instructor for private clients. I teach a live Pilates class in-person at a beautiful studio in Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn, called Esquina, and I write the newsletter How to Move.
(The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of my clients.)