Hayley Hobson instructs Laurie Silver, of Boulder, in Pilates in her private studio earlier this year. ( RACHEL WOOLF )

Boulder Pilates instructor Hayley Hobson is leading an international competition, ahead of dozens of contestants from around the world.

The Next Pilates Anytime Instructor Competition is sponsored by the Pilates Anytime website and Pilates Style magazine.

"I consider myself a great teacher," said Hobson, 43. "My teachers were taught by Joseph Pilates himself."

Hobson leads Pilates and yoga classes at her private studio, at 5122 Second St., the Little Yoga Studio, at 2525 Arapahoe Ave., and the Colorado Athletic Club, at 1821 30th St. in Boulder. Hobson also serves as the "mind and body coordinator" at the Colorado Athletic Club.

Before turning to Pilates and yoga 15 years ago, she worked as a lawyer in Los Angeles.

"I didn't feel like being in the corporate environment was the right fit for me," Hobson said. "I am really into making people feel good in their bodies -- I feel like I can just look at somebody and feel what they're feeling, where they have pain or where they are off-balanced."

By Friday evening, Hobson had received 337 votes in the competition, putting her in first place among the 53 contestants. Voting began this week and concludes July 15.

"I feel lucky," Hobson said. "I have a lot of gratitude to a lot of the people voting for me. I feel blessed that all of my knowledge and education has finally paid off."

The winner will be featured in a four- to six-page spread in Pilates Style magazine, as well as with an instructional video posted on the magazine's website.

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Boulder Pilates instructor leading international competition