Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalia Arencibia.
Hi Natalia, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in Miami, and being Puerto Rican and Cuban has shaped so much of who I am and what I do.
My upbringing and culture gave me a deep love for community, boundless expression, and the most potent energy and warmth. My culture shapes everything I do, influencing both my creative work and how I connect with people.
Creativity has always been at the center of my story. I have eaten, slept, and breathed the art of creation for as long as I can remember, and that foundation has helped me grow into a designer passionate about creating work that feels inclusive, accessible, and impactful. Diversity and inclusion has and always will be at the forefront of everything I do. Today, that passion lives not only through my work, but through my brand and pilates classes.
Pilates came to me at a pivotal time in my life. It changed my work ethic, gave footing to dreams I couldn’t put into words, and shaped my confidence in ways that still shock me.
I became a certified Mat Pilates and Sculpt instructor in 2024, and through my brand Perreolates, I’ve been able to create classes that feel welcoming, empowering, and rooted in community and the culture that shaped me.
For me, design and Pilates are deeply connected. Both channel intention, creativity, and the creation of experiences that help people feel more confident, rooted, and inspired.
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?
I wish it were a smooth road to get here, but that’s not always the case! Growing up, I struggled with body image and self-confidence, and there were times when I felt like I didn’t fully fit into spaces that were supposed to feel welcoming. Those experiences were difficult, but they also shaped me in an important way. They pushed me to create the kind of space I wish I had more of growing up, especially for people who share my background and don’t always feel immediately accepted or represented.
Over time, I learned to stop letting other people’s opinions control my life or my choices. I was never, and will never be, one to shrink myself based on others’ opinions. Instead, I started using any judgment as fuel to keep growing and to keep showing up. A big part of my journey has been striving to impress myself, take risks, put myself out there, build self-trust, and move through life with more confidence and freedom.
Now, I’m grateful for those experiences because they’ve helped me better hold space for others. I know that the journey to self-confidence and acceptance is a long, winding road with lots of obstacles, but through pilates and through movement, there will always be a path laid out for all of my students and I to walk on!
The obstacles made me more compassionate, more intentional, and more committed to creating environments where people can feel seen, supported, and confident enough to find their own groove!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
What I do is rooted in movement, culture, and intentionality. About a year ago, I created my brand, Perreolates, which blends community, culture, and movement in a way that feels deeply personal to my upbringing and the city that raised me. At its core, Perreolates is about creating a space that feels joyful, empowering, and culturally connected.
I specialize in making Pilates feel both intentional and inclusive. What I’m known for is the care I put into every detail. Everything I do has meaning behind it, from the songs I play and the playlists I curate to the brands I choose to collaborate with. My branding is rooted in Taino symbolism and pillars of Puerto Rican culture and history, blended with my knowledge of and love for Pilates, which gives the experience a distinct identity that feels true to me and the community I’m building.
What I’m most proud of is bringing Perreolates to life and seeing it grow beyond just a class concept. I’ve hosted three events that brought together culture, joy, and movement through partnerships with different studios, venues, and charities. I also teach every Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday at two amazing studios in Kendall and Wynwood, which has allowed me to keep building consistency and connection with my incredible students who breathe life into me every week.
What sets me apart is that I’m not just teaching Pilates, I’m weaving my desire for creation and cultivating a feeling, a world, and a community. Every part of what I’ve built is intentional and reflects who I am, where I come from, and what I want others to feel when they step onto their mats!
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I believe risk is necessary. It’s impossible to push boundaries or create something new and fresh without being willing to take the chance to bring it to life. For me, risk is less about being reckless and more about trust.
I have definitely taken major risks. Creating Perreolates was a risk in itself, because starting something rooted so deeply in my personal perspective meant putting myself out there in a real, and almost vulnerable way. Teaching is also a risk. Every week, I step into rooms full of people and ask them to trust me with their bodies! At the same time, I have had to trust my own body as I tested my limits and committed myself to learning the modality. There is also the very real responsibility of keeping students safe while leading them with care.
What has made that risk feel worthwhile is the support I’ve received. I feel lucky to be surrounded by people who have always seen my brand and my presence on the mat as a force rather than a gamble. Because of that, what could have felt intimidating has started to feel more like a habit, something natural.
My perspective on risk is that there will always be some level of it when you begin anything meaningful. You have to be willing to put yourself out there, jump off the plane, and trust your parachute if you really want to see the reward. For me, risk is a necessary part of growth and building something that truly matters.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Perreolates.com
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/nataliarencibia
- Other: https://Instagram.com/Perreolates
Image Credits
Norbert Cruz at Blazin’ Visuals Media https://blazinvisualz.com | https://www.instagram.com/blazinvisualzmedia
