What brought you to Pilates?
Growing up in Brazil, I was always full of energy and loved to move, especially ballet dancing. However, a hip injury led me to discover Pilates through a physical therapist, and it was love at first sight. After moving to New York City in 2017, my passion for movement was reignited. NYC’s vibrant energy encouraged me to dive deep into Pilates, exploring various studios and methods.
My dedication to Pilates was cemented when an instructor shared a story that echoed my own experience — being encouraged to find a job that allowed for constant conversation, just like my father used to tell me. This moment felt like a sign, and from then on, I fully committed to teaching Pilates.
Now, as a Pilates instructor, I merge my childhood love for movement with my career, continuously learning and growing in my practice. My journey shows how following one’s passion and staying open to life’s twists and turns can lead to fulfilling work that resonates with personal history and aspirations.
Why did you decide to open Pilates Boutique ?
I used to work for several Studios and I got bored to see everyone doing the same thing, only reformer classes. Opening Pilates Boutique in West Hollywood has been a dream realized for me! Our studio pioneers an unparalleled, personalized Pilates practice. We’re redefining Pilates with special classes that integrates the Reformer, Cadillac, and Pilates Chair, offering an all-encompassing workout to enhance flexibility, strength, and posture. A source of immense pride, Pilates Boutique is California’s sole studio providing Cadillac classes. This rare equipment offers our clients an exclusive opportunity to explore new movements and further their exercise regimen in exciting ways. Our mission at Pilates Boutique goes beyond exercise; we’re fostering a lifestyle of comprehensive well-being. Designed with care, our studio serves as a tranquil retreat from daily life, equipped with the latest technology in a bright, inviting space. While I might be a bit partial, I believe it’s the most charming Pilates space around!
Describe what you love about Pilates and why you think it has become so popular nowadays?
Pilates holds a special place in my heart for its holistic approach to physical and mental wellness. Its emphasis on core strength, flexibility, and posture speaks to me on a personal level by promoting an intuitive connection with my body. This mindfulness aspect, focusing deeply on the breath and precise movements, has been transformative. It’s like a moving meditation that centers me, relieving stress and enhancing my mental clarity.
I’m drawn to the adaptability of Pilates as well. It meets you where you are, accommodating beginners and challenging seasoned practitioners alike. This inclusivity is key to its growing popularity. It’s a practice that ages with you, constantly offering new layers to explore and master.
The reason Pilates has captured the hearts of so many lately, I believe, lies in its ability to offer an antidote to modern life’s fast pace and digital overload. It grants us permission to pause, to focus inward, and to nurture our bodies with intention. Plus, with its growing online presence, Pilates has become more accessible, enabling people to incorporate it into their lives, no matter their schedule or location.
Pilates isn’t just about physical health; it’s about fostering a deep sense of self-awareness and well-being. Its balance of strength and mindfulness is a powerful formula for not just a healthy body, but a healthy mind, making it a cherished part of my daily routine and, evidently, a beloved practice worldwide.
Your ideal client?
Pilates welcomes a broad spectrum of participants, ranging from seasoned athletes to complete beginners in exercise. My experience has allowed me the privilege to teach a variety of people, each bringing their unique life stories and backgrounds into the studio. The beauty of this practice is its universal benefit; it positively impacts everyone who embraces it. An open mind and heart are crucial to fully experience its rewards. Diversity is something we cherish deeply here, reflected in our international team of instructors hailing from various corners of the world. This blend of cultures and accents enriches our classes, offering a global experience that underscores the inclusive nature of Pilate.
Can you tell us 5 benefits of pilates and why people should include pilates in their fitness or wellness routine?
Breathing with purpose: The breath in Pilates is crucial. And the deep focus it requires, helps form patterns in us that change the way we move for a lifetime. By concentrating on deep, even and proper breaths, we activate our core, fostering stability and power. This type of breathing brings many benefits, like improving digestion, better immune response, and emotional balance. Moreover, using the diaphragm correctly to breathe can help reduce stress, blood pressure, and heart rate.
Core empowerment: At the heart of Pilates is building core strength, focusing on the muscles encircling the abdomen, spine, and pelvic area. This strengthening provides superior support for the spine and boosts posture. Regular Pilates practice can lessen or even eliminate the discomfort of lower back pain due to underdeveloped core muscles.
Developing body awareness: Pilates deepens the connection between mind and body, encouraging active participation with every movement and feeling. This enhanced body awareness allows for the identification and correction of any imbalances or weaknesses in posture or movements. Pilates trains you to be more mindful of your body’s alignment, improving coordination and addressing any misalignments confidently.
Flexibility improvement: Pilates encompasses various exercises aimed at boosting flexibility and joint mobility. By targeting certain muscle groups and consistently stretching them, Pilates enhances overall flexibility, leading to easier and more comfortable daily movement.
Energizing effect: Regular Pilates practice rejuvenates you, raising both your mood and energy levels. The combination of dynamic movement, accurate biomechanics, intentional breathing, and mental involvement creates an elevated sense of well-being. You’ll experience a boost in stamina and energy, feeling invigorated with each session.
What do you love about Pilates and teaching clients?
What I love about Pilates and teaching it is seeing how it changes people’s bodies and minds for the better. Pilates is more than just exercise—it’s a way for people to get stronger, more flexible, and to feel more balanced in their daily lives. I get excited every time a client does something they couldn’t do before, like holding a pose they’ve been working on or telling me they feel less back pain.
Every person I teach brings their own story, and being part of their Pilates journey is really special. It’s amazing to watch someone grow more confident and capable because of what we do together in class.
Pilates isn’t just good for the body. It helps people pay attention to how they move and breathe, which can make them feel calmer and more focused in other parts of their lives too.
I love teaching Pilates because it lets me help others feel better and stronger, both inside and out. It’s about the small wins, the big achievements, and everything in between.
As a teacher how do you see yourself as a teacher and influencer?
As a Pilates teacher, I see myself as both a guide and a motivator on each of my client’s individual journeys toward better health and self-understanding. Through the lessons we explore together, I aim to inspire a love for Pilates by demonstrating its power to transform, not just physically, but also mentally. Every class is an opportunity to influence a positive change, whether it’s improving someone’s posture, alleviating pain, or simply brightening their day.
I also view my role as being an influencer in the sense that I strive to encourage my clients to embrace a healthier, more mindful lifestyle beyond the Pilates Studio.. By sharing the benefits I’ve experienced in my own life and the visible improvements I’ve witnessed in others, I hope to spark a curiosity and passion for Pilates and general well-being in everyone I teach.
At the heart of my teaching philosophy is the belief that Pilates is for everyone. I work to make my classes an inclusive, supportive space where all stories and bodies are welcome. Seeing clients discover their own strength and achieve things they didn’t think possible is what motivates me daily. In every session, I aspire not just to instruct but to empower, hoping to leave a lasting, positive impact on the lives of those I teach.
Your studio is SO beautiful we are in love with it – what was your idea behind the aesthetics?
I wanted to create a serene and upscale atmosphere that captures a sense of elegance and exclusivity, every aspect of our space was meticulously planned and executed. My goal was to ensure that each client feels a private experience, even during fully booked classes.. This was achieved by strategically positioning the clients, maintaining personal space and comfort for everyone.
Cultivating an environment that flows seamlessly from one element to the next, all while exuding sophistication. My husband loves design and played an important role in this project. Together, we infused the space with inspirations from our recent visit to Japan, which significantly influenced the tranquil and refined vibe I wanted to offer. The result is a breathtaking space that leaves a lasting impression on everyone who enters, ensuring they feel the peace and luxury we’ve strived to create.
What do you love most about your studio ?
What I absolutely adore about our Pilates Studio is its deep connection to personal passion, unique worldwide influences, and the local community we serve. It’s far more than an exercise space — it’s a sanctuary. Every design decision, from the thoughtful layout to the serene ambiance, is infused with a sense of tranquility and exclusivity, intended to ensure that every person who walks through our doors feels both welcomed and at peace.
But beyond that, what makes this studio truly special to me is the love and connection we’ve established with our community. It’s a shared space where personal journeys intersect, fostering not only physical wellness but also building a supportive and nurturing environment for everyone involved. Our studio is a reflection of our vision to blend elegance, tranquility, and community spirit, making it a peaceful haven for our clients.
This pursuit has not merely been about creating a luxury Pilates studio but crafting a warm, welcoming gathering place that reflects our commitment to our community’s well-being. Seeing our clients find their own peace and strength within these walls, influenced by our design and international inspirations, while also contributing to the vibrant local community we love, truly brings me the most joy and fulfillment, making our Pilates Studio a place like no other.
Can you explain to us your beds – so many studios have different beds / reformers and yours by far are not only the best we have seen aesthetically but seem to be the ‘Rolls royce’ of pilates beds!
In refining my Pilates Studio to offer an unparalleled experience, I took great care in customizing the equipment from top to bottom. I had the unique opportunity to select every detail personally, ensuring that each element perfectly complements our studio’s aesthetic and functional needs. This included the choice of wood, handpicking the ideal shade to resonate with our tranquil environment, meticulously selecting the leather color to match our elegance, and even determining the precise weight of the springs to cater to a wide range of exercises and client needs.
Moreover, I introduced an innovative touch by selecting Cadillacs that seamlessly transform into reformers. This versatile feature allows us to easily adapt the space for different classes and private sessions, offering both comfort and convenience to our clients. The ease of conversion between Cadillacs and reformers not only maximizes our studio’s functionality but also enhances the overall client experience, making our Pilates offerings uniquely adaptable and diverse.
This careful customization of our equipment from abroad underscores our commitment to quality and personalization, ensuring that our studio stands out not just for its beautiful design and community spirit, but also for its premium, hand-selected equipment tailored to provide the best possible experience for everyone who joins us.
All your classes are so different – how do you come up with so many different ideas and workouts?
The diversity and creativity found in our classes are created by the different backgrounds of my Instructors. Our journey in Pilates and our passion for exploring the vast landscape of wellness and fitness. Each workout and class idea is a reflection of learnings, and the valuable insights gained from traveling, attending workshops, and engaging with different cultures and techniques from around the world.
In addition, the bespoke nature of our studio equipment plays a pivotal role in designing our classes. The versatility of our convertible Cadillacs to reformers allows us to be innovative in creating workouts that are adaptable, engaging, and suitable for a range of abilities and goals.
The variety in our classes comes from the great ideas and feedback from our studio community. I always listen to what our clients need and want, which helps us create new and personalized workouts for everyone. This keeps our classes exciting. But we are always teaching real Pilates! Some of us are Classical, and others have a more contemporary style.
Creating a variety of classes is not just about keeping things interesting; it’s about meeting our clients where they are in their fitness journeys and offering them the space to explore, grow, and achieve their goals in a supportive, dynamic environment. This blend of personal passion, global inspiration, and community feedback fuels the ever-evolving nature of our class offerings, making each session unique and reflective of our studio’s commitment to excellence and innovation in Pilates and overall wellness.
What do you look for in other teachers to join your team?
In hiring teachers, I look for passion for Pilates, proper certification (in all the Apparatus), adaptability to teach various classes, excellent communication, alignment with our studio’s values, creativity, and a team-oriented attitude. These qualities ensure our team can inspire and support our clients effectively.
