Behind the Scenes at Pilates on Plains: The Road to Opening Day
If you have ever walked into a brand new Pilates studio and thought, “Wow, this looks so effortless,” let me assure you… it is anything but effortless. Opening Pilates on Plains has been a whirlwind of planning, paperwork, creativity, teamwork, and a few personal adventures tucked in between.
**The City Hall shuffle
(with a little help from Tank)**
We are almost through the approval process at City Hall, with just a few more steps before everything is official. I will say this much. Tank, our unofficial mascot, has been the star of the show. He joined me on one of my visits and charmed absolutely everyone. He left with a belly full of treats and enough attention to last him a week. I am convinced he is our secret weapon in charm based negotiations.
Building the dream team
One of the most exciting parts of this journey has been finding the right people to bring Pilates on Plains to life. I did not just want instructors. I wanted warm, engaged, uplifting people who make clients feel instantly at home. And that is exactly who we have.
• A precision guru who knows anatomy inside out and will have you feeling muscles you did not know existed
• A creative flow artist who brings energy and fun into every class
• A gentle encourager who supports beginners and post rehab clients with patience and confidence
• And our soon to be mama, Jade, who will be back in the studio with her trademark positivity after her little Pilates prodigy arrives
Beyond our instructor team, we have two amazing spa technicians who work nonstop, smile nonstop, and bring so much joy into the space.
And then there is Shelley. I would not be close to where I am without her. She is the creative mind behind everything you see. She designed our website, creates our Instagram posts, makes us all look polished on camera, and somehow turned my scattered ideas into a logo I absolutely love. Stay tuned. The swag is coming.
Picture perfect moments
Our photo shoot with the ever talented Shelley was a highlight. No wardrobe changes. No fuss. Just us as we are, putting our best bare feet forward. We laughed, we posed, and we captured the heart of what Pilates on Plains will be. Connection, energy, and a warm welcome for every person who walks through the door.
A little recharge before the big push
I managed to sneak away for a short visit to one of my favourite places, Saratoga, during race season. Sunshine, horses, and a little bit of quiet before heading into the final stretch of studio prep. It was exactly what I needed.
It takes a village
They say it takes a village, and I could not agree more. Friends, family, and our soon to be Pilates community have shown up with encouragement, support, and love at every turn. This studio is being built with all of us in it.
As we count down to opening day, know that behind every reformer, every class, and every smile is a whole lot of heart and a whole lot of behind the scenes hustle. I cannot wait to welcome you in and share it all with you.
xo
Marion.