Joe's Pila-T-Shop: a weekly Pilates teacher feature
- Name: Spencer Baker
- Name of My Pilates Studio: Spencer Pilates Arts
- # of years open:one year
- Website: spencerpilatesarts.com
- My Certifications: Full Mat and Apparatus certification from Erica Essner
- # Of years teaching: 5
- My inspiration for opening my own Pilates studio: the time I spent assisting a Physical Therapist and realizing how much potential there is for Pilates to help those that would never even think to try it.
- My vision/mission for my studio is: To be a laid back, cool place, where people happen to exercise and maybe even become friends.
- My initial fears: Being challenged for being male in a largely female dominated discipline.
- If I knew then what I know now: I'd have gotten it wrong anyway. Expect something business-wise not to go exactly as planned.
- My favorite thing about owning my own studio: That I get to control the aesthetic of the place and I get to fuss over the decor and make it my own.
- Useful skills of a successful studio owner: Having a vision beyond the exercises. Also, being able to help and modify the exercises for even the most terribly injured and in need.
- Services offered at my studio: Group and Individual Machine and Mat classes
- What makes my studio unique: It has an artful, creative aesthetic, and an easy affordable vibe.
- How I initially got clients in the door: Having multiple group Reformer/ Towers so I could offer a variety of machine classes at an economical rate.
- How I retain clients: I just try to be as friendly as possible.
- # of employees: 3
- What I look for in my instructors: A command of their inner self, as well as the exercises.
- My greatest challenges as a studio owner/employer: To tell absolutely everyone, that Pilates can make their life a little bit better.
- My inspirations: Michelle Larssen, Julian Littleford, Rael Isacowitz
- How I maintain my passion: I keep up my dance technique, and I treat myself to massage and acupuncture.
- Words of wisdom or advice for future Pilates studio owners: Create a beautiful space that describes who you exactly are.
- When I’m not running my studio I’m: Trying to keep up my guitar technique.
- One question I would ask Joseph Pilates: I'm not sure that I'd be able to bring the words to my mouth
- My mentors: right now I take a weekly lesson from Joy Karley of Balance Body University.
- My favorite T-shirt from Joe’s Pila-T-Shop: Rock Your Powerhouse! for Pilates in the Schools
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