Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura.
Hi Laura, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
When I was young I always had a passion for movement. My sister and I would ride our bikes back and forth to Peacock’s general store almost weekly which was a good 13 mile ride. I rode horses at a local barn and took classes in Tae KwonDo and a bit of Ju Jitsu. I think I innately knew that movement just made my body feel good!
Another passion of mine was art. I eventually attended Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers and got a degree in Fine Art with a concentration in oil painting as well as an associates in graphic design. However, I soon realized it was a difficult path to becoming a full time artist and it somehow took the joy out of the art in trying to establish a career in it for me.
I worked in retail and customer service while trying to figure out what to do and simultaneously was taking barre and Pilates classes at a local studio. One of the instructors there mentioned that she thought I might be a great instructor, and I thought I’d like to try. I started with a Barre certification and teaching a few nights a week and finally decided that Pilates and fitness was the career that I desired. I became an ACE Certified Group Fitness Instructor, and continued my Pilates training through Balanced Body, adding Reformer and Apparatus training to my skills. I continue to train through Balanced Body and am in the process of a Master’s certification, working with Jessica Moss. I have had the opportunity to train with amazing instructors from the Pilates lineage including Marcy Schaffler, Blossom Leilani Crawford, Jessica Moss and Sylvia Byrd-Leitner. I am also a FAI Functional Aging Specialist, TRX certified and have completed my Rollga Foam Rolling Certification.
My passion is Pilates. I love challenging the body in new innovative ways while incorporating a mind/body connection. It gives me so much joy to show each client what their body is capable of and to help them build confidence and resilience in themselves. I feel that Pilates is one of the best forms of exercise to create a strong and balanced body without unneeded force or injury.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been a smooth road! My first Pilates certification was done while pregnant with my first child. This was a challenge in and of itself for my own body, but looking back it has given me so much information and confidence in teaching pregnant and post partum women.
I also opened my studio in October, 2019. We then had the Covid shutdown in March 2020 which posed a great challenge! Thankfully private training was able to resume in June and I was able to continue teaching through zoom for clients who had equipment or were interested in mat Pilates training.
I was also diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020. Thankfully my cancer was caught very early through self-exam and I did not need chemotherapy or radiation. I had a double mastectomy at the end of 2020 and resumed teaching a few weeks later. I attribute my quick recovery to being strong and knowledgeable about the body from my Pilates training.
These challenges have built resilience!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am known for being a challenging and compassionate instructor! I cater to the clients needs in front of me. Every body is different and has its own unique strengths and imbalances. I work with a wide variety of clients, from a young professional ice skater to an 80 year old woman trying to maintain mobility and strength for daily life. The beauty of Pilates is that it can be adjusted to the needs of each person. I have learned to be flexible and innovative in my teaching over time, in order to optimize the session for the needs of the client in front of me.
What does success mean to you?
Success is in the small wins. When a client tells me that they can swing a golf club without pain, or all of a sudden a client realizes she’s not thinking about her knee anymore because “it just works”. I also feel successful in the fact that I’ve built this business from the ground up and overcome challenges along the way. It feels empowering to be a female business owner doing something I am passionate about and be successful at it!
Pricing:
- Intro 3-pack of Privates ; $220
- 5-pack of Privates : $415
- $10-pack of Privates: $760
- Single Sessions: $90
Contact Info:
- Website: https://evolutionnj.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evolution.pilates.nj/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/donatellicreative/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@evolutionpilatesstudio
