Hunting for Pilates

Hunting for Pilates

The moment I find out we are moving to San Diego I start researching Pilates and Barre studios in our new city.  I am bombarded with google results.  Now, in the back of my head I know I will be starting at Equinox as soon as they open their doors, so my research is less about finding a studio to teach at and more about finding a studio to work out at.

Disclaimer: Most studios will remain nameless.  

My first class was terrifying.  There, I said it.  First of all, I google this Pilates “chain” as I have been  hearing so much about it.  Being new to the area, I have no idea where anything is, but assume it can’t be that far.  This studio has several locations all over San Diego and I pick the one closest to me.  Still a 20 minute drive, I arrive to the studio and am a bit put off.  An office park, literally off the highway.  Hmmm, interesting.  I go in, and feel as though I’m arriving for a dentist appointment or to see my dad for lunch.  I take the elevator up and stroll down the halls, looking for the suite number.  It’s a door; a wooden door.  I have no idea whether or not to go in, if there was a class going on, or if I should just wait out in the hallway.  Luckily the instructor shows up and opens the door to showcase a freezing cold room full of 15-20 Reformers.  I would count, but I am so cold and confused I forget.  There are about 10 of us in the class, with several open Reformers.  The instructor never introduces herself, never asks about prior Pilates experience and never asks if anyone has any injuries.  I do have an injury, so it would be nice to know that the instructor is aware of this.

We spend 25 minutes doing footwork on medium to heavy springs.  Then we stay on our backs and do work with our hands in the straps, on a heavy spring.  I have a neck injury that would have probably been getting worse if I didn’t know how to modify to lighter springs.  Could you imagine if someone else in the class had an injury and had no idea how to modify?  I’m scared for the other 9 students.  OK, it’s now 35 minutes into class and I still haven’t felt my abs.  We finally get up and grab the box for short box.  There are 10 people in class and maybe 2 people are in correct positions.  We are hanging off the box, one leg out kicking up and down, really working 100% in the hip flexors.  Great.  Never once correcting anyone.  How could she? She is on the reformer doing the workout with us.  After some planks and finishing with feet in straps our class is over.

I go back for a second class because I have a 2 class pass.  It is the same exact class.  Word for word, cue for cue.  I haven’t been back.  My biggest concern was honestly for the safety of the students in the class.  When done incorrectly Pilates can be dangerous.  Not to mention ineffective.

Next, I try a studio I haven’t heard of before but came recommended by a local.  Like the other studio, they offer an incredible first time client deal so I go for it.  They offer several different locations so I pick one that is close to my husband’s office so I can go after I drop him off in the morning.  Located in a run down shopping plaza with neighbors that include 24 hour fitness, Buffalo Wild Wings, Jo-Ann Fabrics, and Famous Footwear just to name a few, I finally find the studio.  I open the doors and I just see Reformers.  Endless Reformers.  I count 25.  This studio caps the classes at 25!  How in the world is one to get an effective and safe Pilates workout when there are so many students in the class?  After starting the workout which is very similar to the prior studio I had tried, I notice the instructor’s voice is constant.  Meaning, I hear her somewhere in the distance, but she never seems to get closer or further away.  I realize it is because she is doing the workout with us!  How am I supposed to know that I am straight, aligned, and in the correct position to engage the proper muscles?  As a Pilates instructor I know that I need eyes on me, let alone the 24 other people who probably are not instructors and need those eyes even more.  Again, I was terrified for the other students.

I try a few other studios and have similar experiences.  I have come to the unfortunate conclusion that the market is saturated with studios that have lost the roots, authenticity and basic principles that Pilates was founded on, and should have.  Now I’m questioning what I should be doing over the next several months before Equinox opens.  All I have to say is that my Pilates team at Equinox is going to bring that strong presence of classical Pilates back to the San Diego area and blow everyone away.

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Equinox PIlates

Now, I do find that there are classical instructors in San Diego; they are just hard to find.  But I find them.  I came across Jessica Janae through an Amazon deal, where she was offering an introductory rate for a package of private sessions.  When I see this I look into her and her background and am springing out of my chair when I see that she is trained and certified through Power Pilates!   Janae Luxe Pilates Studio is a small one woman (Jessica) shop with stylish decor and PEAK Pilates equipment.  She doesn’t strive to compete with all these big franchise studios by offering big classes with dozens of people to drive the cost down for the students.  She doesn’t have to. The method speaks for itself.  She honors this, and teaches true to Joe; in a private, one on one environment.

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With my detailed google search I find another classical instructor who has worked with and trained under proteges of Ron Fletcher and Romana Kryzanowska.  I quickly realize she is the owner and founder of Armone’s Core Connection right in my neighborhood.  I decide to contact Armone to see if maybe she wanted to talk about potential teaching opportunities.  I mean, it’s been a month and I’m itching to start teaching again.  Being able to walk there in 15 minutes is an added bonus.  I arrive to the studio and instantly think to myself, “this is going to be good.”  With only 6 Reformers, 1 Cadillac and a Chair, Armone keeps classes small and focuses on private training, as a Pilates studio should.  She invites me in for the week to take class and get a feel for the clients and classes.  After my first class I was sold.  With class sizes capped at 6 and clear distinctions between level 1, 2 and 3 classes I can tell that I’m going to enjoy teaching the incredibly strong clientele.

Starting now I am available for private sessions at Armone’s Core Connection!  A single session is $75, or you can buy a package of 10 for $700.  Not a bad deal for private sessions!  Stay tuned for a class schedule!

Starting in Spring 2016 I will be back at Equinox, in the studio, as the Pilates Coordinator.  Equinox La Costa will be the club’s first San Diego club.  I will also be back in the group fitness studio teaching barre, Pilates Mat, and fusion classes.

Armone’s Core Connection is located at 7438 Girard Avenue in the Village of La Jolla.

Equinox La Costa is located at 7710 El Camino Real, Carlsbad, CA 92009.  Memberships now available.  760.268.9657.

Hola From La Jolla!

Hola From La Jolla!

It is one month since our move from San Francisco to San Diego.   My husband and I decided to get a place for the year in La Jolla right on the ocean.  We thought, we might as well do this right as we try to
FullSizeRender get acclimated and get a better sense of where we ultimately want to buy a home and start a family, and dare I say it? Settle down.  I must say, we picked the absolute perfect place to live.  The Ocean House on Prospect is a new building that overlooks the ocean on the famous Prospect St. in the Village of La Jolla.  We can walk to all the shops and cafes, meet people walking the dog, and most importantly, walk to the beach.  I was told La Jolla is full of retirees, so I was a bit nervous to see what the demographic of our building was going to be like.  Fortunately, many of the residents are just like us; young professionals, most with dogs, transitioning to a new place.  After the first week of meeting everyone, it is clear; we are in our own little “Melrose Place”.  Reality show anyone?

FullSizeRender1I can’t tell you that it is an easy, seamless change.  Southern California really is dramatically different than Northern California.  Sure the scenery is different, it’s warmer by about 20 degrees and the sun is always shinning. But the whole vibe and way of life is different too.  It is more laid back than I could have ever imagined.  Even in fancy La Jolla.  People walk around with no shoes on for starters.  OK, fine, I get it; we have some of the best surf breaks in all of the US and people are crossing the street with board under arm, ready to literally just jump in the water.  But to get out of your car with no shoes on, to then walk down Girard Ave. to get to your yoga class?  Really?  Not even flip flops?  OK, that little bit of the Northern Cali / New Englander in me may stay forever.  I’m OK with that. It’s just another nuance that makes this place unique.

Now, in terms of my world of fitness and Pilates.  Just as you would imagine, people here are very much into fitness and health and most importantly, looking good.  With that said, there are small boutique studios and gyms on every block, sometimes multiple on a block.  I can’t keep up with them all.  I’ve tried several, not just to potentially teach at, but to work out at myself, and to be 100% honest, none have blown me away.  It is the weirdest phenomenon.  More on that to come in a future post.

With hundreds of fitness studios around, naturally there also has to be juice bars and cafes.  And that there are.  Juice, acai bowls, smoothies, super foods and boosters oh my!  I love it.  I can go to a different juice bar every day.  So far, and I do have a lot of testing to do, but the best acai bowl comes from Nekter Juice Bar.  The best smoothie comes from Juice Crafters.  Again, another blog post with my absolute winners to come soon when I get through them all.

Most people come to La Jolla to visit the famous La Jolla Cove and see the sea lions.  It is a daily walk for
FullSizeRender us now, which is awesome.  Minus the horrific smell.  However, one afternoon we decide to go snorkeling in the Cove. We joined all the tourists and jumped in.  I was surprisingly shocked at what we were seeing. Bright colored fish and coral.  Luckily, no hammerheads.  Pretty damn cool.  Just steer clear of the sea lions.  They really are everywhere, and although they are used to humans, please, do not try to pet them.  They will bite you.

FullSizeRender3Beaches.  Oh, the beaches.  So many beaches.  My happy place.  I have realized that I can never live some place landlocked.  It has a calming power, like nothing else.  After contemplating getting the ocean view or street view apartment, we decided to splurge the extra money every month to see the ocean 24/7.  Best decision ever.  Especially because when we do buy a house, the chances of us having an ocean view are slim.  My favorite part is that when I am in the kitchen preparing dinner or washing dishes, I look up and see the ocean.  I also strategically put our big mirror on a wall in our bedroom so that when I am getting ready, I look in it and see the ocean behind me.  So, back to the beaches.  My favorite beach so far, is the Del Mar Dog Beach.  Yes, of course it is because Paya can come with us.  It doesn’t feel right going to the beach without her.  Not only is the Del Mar Beach my favorite because of the abundance of dogs, but because the ocean is calm enough on this beach to swim and not get plummeted by crashing waves.  They also host the annual Dog Surf Competition.  Paya is in full training mode.

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I have to pinch myself when I remember that I live here and am starting a life here.  Next year, Equinox will be opening their first club in San Diego where I have accepted my position again as Pilates Coordinator.  Nothing like Equinox exists down here, and we are going to blow San Diego away.  I cannot wait to get back into the swing of teaching and build up my business, creating a name for myself in the Southern California community.

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Moving…It’s Just Our Thing

Moving…It’s Just Our Thing

We start our love story in Boston in 2011.  Then we move to Singapore for 2 years in 2012, which people thought was absolutely crazy.  Crazy, maybe, but one of the best things I’ve ever done.  Then, in 2014, we head back to the motherland to start our life, and possibly a family.  We decide on San Francisco.  This was it; we are going to build our new life in this crazy, amazing city by the bay.  Steve starts his job at one of the oldest brand consultancies, and is eager to climb the strategist ladder.  I go back to Equinox, because it feels comfortable, having worked there in Boston, and is then unexpectedly given the Coordinator position, which is quite the opposite of comfortable.  The first few months in my new role are tough and I come home every night wanting to demote myself back to Pilates Instructor.  But by December I am on a roll, and getting the hang of running the Pilates studio at Equinox.

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After 3 short months, I have built the following at Equinox I have always wanted.  I have a Pilates team that continues to amaze and impress me, to this day, and have made friendships that will last.  My group fitness classes are packed, and I am teaching in front of 50 plus people, all excited to come back for the next class.  I love my job, and I would not change anything about it.

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Last month, only one year after arriving in our “new home” Steve tells me he received a job offer from an advertising agency, wanting him to step in as the strategy director.  I am so happy for him; this is where he had wanted to get to since the day he started this career around the world in Singapore.  Unfortunately, this promotion does not come at his current gig.  Nope, it is for a firm down in San Diego.  Here we go.

The Lampert’s are moving again.  To be honest, I never imagined myself even wanting to live in San Diego.  Southern California, yes.  Secretly I have always wanted to be a SoCal girl.  But maybe Santa Barbara or LA.  I have never even been to San Diego.  After a bit of real estate research, it is a done deal.  I thought the Internet was broken when my results came up after putting in our search parameters.  More than one bedroom and bath, a full stand alone house, a garage, washer and dryer.  It is like real life.  Over the past year I have become so jaded to what is normal.  San Francisco, turns out, is not at all sustainable if you want to start a family, and this opportunity in front of us helped us to realize this. I love our home in Russian Hill; after just a year, it really does feel like home.  It’s absolutely perfect; for just us, and Paya.  But I am not okay with putting a potential child in our walk in closet turned nursery.  First, Steve is not ready to give up his closet, and second, I want more.  I don’t think that’s too much to ask.

LaJolla

After a weekend trip to San Diego to check it out (although this wouldn’t be my first rodeo….I moved to SF without ever stepping foot here), we find a great place to live in La Jolla, and decided to make this happen.  On August 28th, 2015, we will be moving down south.

San Francisco will forever hold a special place in my heart.  I fell in love with this city, and with all of our friends and my clients and students.  I am excited to start yet another journey, and who knows, this could be our forever home.  And I am so excited to check in with you in another year to share stories of a new place, new friends, new job, maybe new family members??

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Thank you to everyone in SF who have made our time here so memorable.