THE WOMEN INDEX is an ongoing editorial archive exploring how women shape their worlds.
Through four lenses: WHO, WHERE, WHAT, and LEARN & CULTURE, each edition maps the people, places, rituals, objects, and cultural references that influence the way women live, create, work, and move through the world.
Part interview, part cultural index, the project aims to build a living global archive of female influence, one woman at a time.
Today, we step inside the world of Carmen Ardeleanu, Educator and Mentor of Pilates Matwork at @moveon.romania.
For Carmen, Pilates has never been just about movement; it is about education, connection and helping people build a healthier relationship with their bodies. This is one of the reasons I invited her to be part of THE WOMEN INDEX. I deeply admire women (and, of course, people in general)
With more than ten years of experience as a Pilates Matwork educator and mentor, she has dedicated her career to making high-quality movement accessible to women wherever they are. Through her online community, #TrainWithMe, she has created a space that reaches far beyond the walls of a studio, bringing live Pilates and complementary training to women across the country and around the world.
At the same time, Carmen is shaping the next generation of Pilates professionals as a coordinator and master trainer at a Pilates teacher training school. She believes that teaching Pilates is about far more than passing on a method; it is about inspiring movement with purpose, care, and responsibility, creating a ripple effect that transforms both teachers and the people they guide. And I absolutely love this approach.
WHO
I am inspired by women who embrace their natural beauty, wear their
wrinkles with confidence and stay true to their own path. Women who
choose authenticity over trends and refuse to compromise who they are.
Internationally, I admire Jane Birkin for her effortless naturalness and
authentic femininity. I admire Martha Graham for her ability to translate the
complexity of human experience into movement, giving physical
expression of emotions such as joy, grief, desire, and strength.
In Romania, I am inspired by women who have built meaningful careers
while remaining true to themselves. I admire Aida Economu for her
naturalness, Omi Drăgan for her elegance and mature femininity, Deea
Codrea for her refined aesthetic sensitivity, Laura Coman for her ability to
build patiently with a long-term vision and Malvina Cservenschi for her
entrepreneurial vision and her ability to transform a simple idea into a
respected luxury brand.
photo 1: Desene cu Lumina
WHERE
As an inner landscape, you’ll most likely find me somewhere between
Giverny’s water lilies, Parisian ease, Matera’s depth and Ostuni’s light, on a Pilates mat, with a good coffee, a volume of poetry or psychology
nearby and room for conversations about the human condition, emotions,
astrology, neuroscience, symbolic art, fashion and longevity.
In Bucharest, I often choose to eat in places such as Papila, Baristro, Apio
or Pot Stories. I’m not particularly adventurous when it comes to changing
places I love; once something feels right, I rarely look for a replacement.
Beyond the city, I find myself revisiting destinations like: Euforia Retreat and Spa, Matca Hotel Relais & Château, and Raven’s Nest, places that embody the balance I appreciate most: clean natural design, connection to nature and a distinctive sense of place.
WHAT
The objects I keep close are rarely accidental: a Bjørg I AM ring, a
statement pearl necklace, a Pilates mat, Nichita Stanescu’s poetry and
anything that deepens my interest in movement, neuroscience and
longevity tips.
I’m drawn to fashion brands that prioritize craftsmanship, quality materials,
and clean, minimalist design. Above all, I love comfortable clothes that
capture the ease and warmth of a seaside summer vacation:
Les Vacances D’Irina
Ami Amalia
Babaluna (Irina Marinescu)
Evening gowns: V:PM Atelier
Jewellery: Joule Project (on my wishlist;)
LEARN & CULTURE
I often return to the poetry of Nichita Stănescu, whose words reveal
beauty and truth in unexpected ways and reminds me of my father, who
passed away many years ago. I have long been fascinated by Constantin
Brâncuși and his ability to embody essence by reducing physical form to
its purest expression.
I am equally inspired by Joseph Pilates’ philosophy. More than a century
ago, he spoke about conscious movement, breath and longevity, principles that continue to be validated by modern science today. I consider myself a devoted student of his work and feel a deep responsibility to preserve and carry his legacy forward through my teaching.
Some of the podcasts I regularly listen to are Huberman Lab, Simon Sinek
and Mel Robbins, each offering a different perspective on health, purpose
and personal growth.
One of the most powerful artistic experiences I have had in recent years
was Faust in Sibiu. It is the kind of performance that turns your soul inside
out and leaves you speechless. What connects all the things I love is a constant search for essence, authenticity and a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
