Today we’d like to introduce you to Susan Karvelis and Tina Bassanese.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Our love affair with Pilates began as students. A few years later, still enamored, we decided to seek certifications as Pilates practitioners. Once certified, we started teaching private sessions at Susie’s home, where we had one reformer! A few years later, having received a positive response to our teaching, we opened our studio on Miami Beach! The rest is history and the future!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
We opened the studio in the midst of a severe financial crisis. The silver lining in that cloud was that the poor economy gave us the time to grow in an organic way. Now, that the studio is successful and growing, the challenge is to balance ourselves as teachers and as business owners. We solved this problem by hiring Douglas Richard, an experienced business coach, who has helped us establish clear goals, as well as effective and efficient systems for our continued growth.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
Pilates focuses on the quality of movement, not the quantity of repetition. It is a highly effective way to exercise without harming our joints. Pilates is a ”mind-body” exercise that integrates breathing with movement. Pilates is adaptable to the age and physical condition of the students. For the younger and older students who are athletic, the physical challenge can be increased to achieve a satisfying workout. For the older population or those with medical issues, becoming and staying fit is essential to the quality of life. Many of our students fall in the latter category and have turned to Pilates to stay fit while reducing the risk of injury from weight-bearing exercises. As people age, they often lose balance and coordination; Pilates counters these effects of aging and increases core strength and flexibility. We offer specialties in pre and postnatal, rotational sports, and have cardio classes as well.
Pilates is very effective for post medical/surgical rehabilitation. We have qualified Pilates practitioners who focus on students with hip and knee replacements, back surgeries, and other infirmities. Pilates rebuilds physical strength from the core out and rebalances the body by reestablishing correct alignment and good posture. Pilates is a proven way to recover from medical issues and to establish enjoyable future fitness habits.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
We are very proud of the family atmosphere at Sobe Pilates. It is the opposite of the larger and impersonal mass production factories. Our students are family, not only to the staff but to each other! Personal and enjoyable relationships and camaraderies abound! New prospective students are offered free consultations to get to know them, their personalities, and their physical needs. We discuss specific injuries, so we learn how to properly handle them and then transition the student into the best program for their specific needs and abilities. We pride ourselves in having the best Pilates practitioners, not only on Miami Beach but in the larger South Florida community. Indeed, our students come from all over South Florida!
Contact Info:
- Address: 950 Arthur Godfrey Rd, Miami Beach, FL 33140
- Website: http://www.sobepilates.net/
- Phone: (305) 763-8878
- Email: info@sobepilates.net
Image Credit:
Emely Virta Photography
Getting in touch: VoyageMIA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
