Q&A: Bringing Pilates to the Deaf Community Through Sign Language

For Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals, a typical fitness class can be filled with frustration and missed cues. Visual instructions are rare, and with so many competing priorities, instructors may not realize who’s being left behind. But when communication becomes part of the core experience, not an afterthought, movement becomes more than exercise; it becomes connection.

At TLSx Austin, Pilates instructor Kara Baires and deaf clients Lilli Erin Beese (a certified yoga teacher) and American Sign Language (ASL) Associate Professor (University of Texas at Austin) Debbie White are redefining accessibility, one move at a time.

How did you come up with the idea to create an ASL-focused fitness class?

Kara: I was taking a class, and one of the instructors said, “Kara, you know a bit of sign language. Could you translate some things for Lilli here?” I was happy to share what I knew and to dust off my sign language. From that point, I don’t think any of us expected much to come of it. But me, Debbie, and Lilli — all being people who push for action and access — ended up creating this class together.

Sign language has always been a passion of mine, and I always say Lilli and Debbie helped me brush off an old dream: to incorporate it into my classes. Now, it’s become a really cool community and a class we typically offer Sunday mornings, two to three times a month.

Have previous fitness instructors been able to communicate with you or ask about your needs?

Debbie: No, not at all. I always taught myself to stand in the middle of the room so I could see the instructor and copy the people in front of me. Even if I’m upside down, I can still see the people behind me. I have to be able to see everyone around me to copy them.

Most instructors walk around and just talk out loud, so I have no idea what they’re saying. Being in the middle was my only option. People in the hearing world don’t tend to understand Deaf culture, and not knowing sign language can be a barrier, so it’s frustrating. I just want to make sure I know what’s going on whenever I’m in class.

How is taking an ASL-focused class a better experience for Deaf clients?

Debbie: In Kara’s class, I’m able to stand in the front, on the sides, or take any free reformers. I don’t have to rely on watching other people. I still copy them sometimes, but it feels like less of a dependency. Taking the class isn’t stressful because Kara walks around and we can see her, signs, and then demos the move. She’s always giving options, so I can push myself to a higher level. I would never have had that opportunity with another teacher. There’s no way.

With communication in mind, Kara has created a class that’s super Deaf-friendly and visual. As a Deaf person and University Professor that teaches ASL, I know that accessibility makes all the difference.

What has been the most rewarding thing about teaching a diverse group of clients?

Kara: It’s the community. When people come together without expecting anything and it turns into something bigger than all of us — there’s so much power and magic in that.

It’s been a roller coaster for the three of us, getting these classes going. Debbie and our friend Lilli helped interpret how to use the machines for new clients. We’ve learned so much to make this the best-quality class we can.

What can studios do to be more inclusive for the Deaf or hard-of-hearing community?

Kara: When it comes to designing a studio, making access feel normal, not like an add-on, is key. Small details that focus specifically on accessibility can make a huge difference. For example, something as simple as using LED lights to cue transitions between movements. It’s a small change, but it creates clarity, especially in a visual-first class. And it doesn’t take much to implement.

What do you wish fitness studios understood about working with Deaf clients?

Kara: Hearing people often look at the Deaf community, or anyone with a disability, and assume their lives are limited. But when it’s not your problem, it becomes your privilege. In industries like fitness, access is rarely prioritized. Why? Because people think, “Oh, they wouldn’t come anyway.”

But the community that Debbie and Lilli have so generously brought me into is nothing like the hearing world. Their lives are colorful and vibrant, and I’ve never felt more present in a conversation or more full of life. I want people to understand: life isn’t limited when you’re Deaf. And when there’s access, it’s a beautiful life.

Special thanks to Kara (@karabaires), Debbie (@debbiewhitelacecy), and the ASL interpreter who made this interview possible.

Also shoutout to Lilli Erin Beese (@lillierinyoga), who is an integral part of the dream team and actively involved in helping to promote this class and increase access to the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community!

Look out for upcoming ASL-accessible classes, typically held 2–3 Sundays a month. New dates are posted near the end of each month at tlsatxglobal.com, or follow Kara @karabaires for the latest updates.