The Studio Diva

Make a Ballet Barre!

2011-05-23T12:14:00.000-07:00

In researching ballet barres for my studio, I came across this adorable video on how to assemble your own from pvc tubing. This is a very low-cost and trusted way of making ballet bars. I remember these handmade barres from my college dance department, they are strong and long- lasting.

Thank You Cards - The Original Social Media

2011-03-27T22:32:00.000-07:00

The other week I was reading a Seth Godin's Blog post, Treating Best Customers Better. The importance of taking care of our best customers really made me think about how as Pilates studio owners, we are generally giving our best prices to the newest customers.

As I have just opened another small studio, my mind has been whirling with marketing ideas. Within the pressure of getting new customers, I stopped for a moment and asked myself: Is the new customer I should be going after?

Maybe the answer to getting new clients is right under my nose - my own clients.

I looked at my clients records and started to appreciate how lucky I was to have such loyal, quality clients. What would the returns be if I gave my A-list clients a certificate for a free session to either keep or give to a friend? So, instead of of pouring my energy into making fliers, and paying for ad space to bring in new clients - I made these little certificates that read:

"Well I am loosing money because of this gift" - but that is simply not true. _The benefit of rewarding your long-time clients are many. You may not find the instant satisfaction of a few new calls from a newspaper ad, but the returns are longer lasting and built on respect and appreciation of the clients you already have. Hello? Find a advertiser that can offer that in their overpriced ad space.

The two outcomes of giving away a gift certificate are:

1) Staying Power: The client keeps it for themselves and feels great and appreciated. Feeling as though they have build credit at your studio -will make it less likely for them to shop around for a better deal.

2) Golden Referrals: The client gives it away to a friend - making them feel proud that the studio appreciates their continued support and of course, makes you a potential new client that has a lot more staying power than a quixotic magazine ad could bring.

Price to you:
The studio is spending money on labor - to teach new sessions, but weigh that with how much time and money is spent on putting together an ad - you may be surprised by the equation.

Q: Taking care of the people around you first is not a new idea, but how often do we really reward our regular, bread & butter clients?

Q: How does it make them feel when they see new client specials? 3 session intro packages to new clients who may or may not stay with it?

Put your Thank You's Through the Mail (for goodness sake)
Putting your thank you card through the mail takes longer - but no other medium, social or otherwise, can replace the feeling of receiving a hand-written thank you card stamped with a stamp, and delivered to your home.

Whether or not you give away free sessions now and then to your preferred clients; sending a thank you card is a great way to show appreciation to the client and respect how the client trusts your business to their friends & family.

Don't forget to say thanks in these moments:

Chiropractor, doctor physical therapist refers a client
Clients show up to your open house
Clients rave about your studio on their Facebook / Twitter pages

A Small Town Studio

2011-02-12T11:40:00.000-08:00

The other week I substituted a few mat classes at Body in Balance in Lynden, Washington. This little country Pilates studio offers Massage and hydrotherapy along with Pilates and yoga group classes. - I really loved the simplicity and serenity of this little studio in my hometown. One of my violin teachers from the 3rd grade was in the class.

Spring boards from Balanced Body are space saving and versatile.

I really love how the owner used these display ledges to store the therapy balls for classes. You can find these at Crate & Barrel for $30

My first violin teacher, Ms. Visser, who came to my Pilates class.

The view from the window of the surrounding farmland.

Elizabeth Larkin's video treasures!

2010-12-29T18:57:00.000-08:00

Elizabeth's Studio : S2EP04 : Improve Your Roll-Up from Balanced Body Pilates on Vimeo.

Elizabeth Larkin is one of my most favorite Pilates instructors to watch on video: I love her modifications and her teaching style. This is a wonderful instructional video for improving the roll up. Ever since I saw this exercise it has become my absolute favorite especially for my clients whom I have inherited from other Pilates instructors._ I find it to be a great "audit" for a client who seems to have a lot of core strength. The part of this series that I love the most is the crossing of the legs portion. How a client reacts to this can be a true indicator of hip flexor involvement during the roll up.

One of my clients asked me how they could recreate this exercise at home, so I came up with this variation using a door and a thera-band.

A soft foam roller and a mat - or sticky socks: Make sure to line up the mat and foam roller with the point at which the door closes, so the center of the thera-band is directly in front of you.
It is wise to find a door that can be locked, and to tie a knot in the thera-band behind the door.

I have noticed that a 1/2 foam roller can work quite well for someone who has the deep connection required to fulfill this exercise form- but who is struggling with the fear of being up so high on the full foam roller. A 1/2 foam roller is a good recommendation
for the older client's variation. Find some great foam rollers on the links below and at the Balanced Body Pilates Rollers page

Like Elizabeth Larkin remarks in her video,
"It can be a bit of a rodeo"
- indeed!

Yoga Jeans - awesome!

2010-12-24T13:09:00.000-08:00

I love finding new designs and products that fill a need in the marketplace. These new Yoga Jeans are such a great idea. They are really comfortable and have a diagonal stretch - as a Pilates instructor, I sometimes get tired of wearing stretch pants everyday to work - these are great to teach in. _I chose a looser pair because skin-tight is not really my look, and they are wonderful.

Check out the Consumer SOS on this cool Montreal company called Second Clothing.

Yoga Jeans from Second Denim on Vimeo.

Rachael's Holiday Survival Kit

2010-12-06T14:25:00.000-08:00

Thank You Cards

There is nothing like a prompt thank you card. Carry them in your car's clove box and when you leave a party or receive a gift in the mail, write it promptly before it slips your mind. The only think better than a prompt thank you card is on which is beautifully original. Buy hand made if you can. This one is from the Craft Pantry on Etsy http://ow.ly/3k2pH 6 cards for $9.50

Acidophilus

Acidophilus helps in the production of a number of chemicals that aid the process of digestion. Over the holidays we are eating out more often, going over to other homes to eat; acidophilus is a wise choice to reduce the bloated after dinner feeling, it also helps boost the immune system. This particular brand is room temperature stable and it comes in individually wrapped pills making it easy to take them with you in your purse.

Refresher Course in Manners

This is one on my most favorite books. Jane Austen's Guide to Good Manners. Embarking on the holiday's festivities we are sometimes taken off-guard by mixed company. Sharing the table with friends of friends and other peoples' families - some of whom may not be sharing our same political and religious beliefs. _ I find a good refresher course in my high table manners is always a good thing during this season. This book - laughable in parts - has great reminders on conversational etiquette: steering clear of the 'me me me' in conversation, and always remembering to truly engage the other people at the dinner table through conversation and kindness - without being overbearing. Sometimes it is so nice to leave the political issues outside. Even if others don't feel the same way; you can use your Jane Austen super-powers to kindly and patiently hear them out before you offer them more gravy.

Jane Austen's Guide to Good Manners http://ow.ly/3k2Iw

Detox Tea

Again, a lot of times throughout the holidays we are eating out, and eating MORE than we usually do. Consuming a lot of meats, not always knowing if they are organically fed. Baked goods, alcohols all contribute to a build up of toxins in the body. Add the usual amount of holiday stress to that and we are setting the stage for some nasty feeling mornings. Keep up moderate exercise and also try drinking a good detox tea whenever possible.

What? ..

Hey, the saying goes: ".. and good cheer" - right? Stow away a flask of good cheer in your purse for when you go out for that walk before dinner around the neighborhood to check out the Christmas lights. Pulling out a flask is a fun cheeky thing to do to surprise your friends. Makes looking at Aunt Beverly's scrap book a little more fun too. Of course be moderate, and don't drink and drive - but I don't have to say that right?

Fall Color: Butterly Pressure Pillows

2010-10-20T13:34:00.001-07:00

I found this beautiful butterfly fabric yesterday and made Pressure Pillows out of it last night.

100% Cotton

Fall is my favorite and most productive season. It reminds me of my childhood with the air cooling, and the days getting shorter, we moved our projects inside. My mother always had a delicious soup on the stove or a apple crumble in the oven. The record player in the living room working away on Chopin; filling in the open spaces while we focus on our projects. These moments (and the record player) are still alive, and I cherish them..

My mom was searching for the right button to sew onto baby Henry's new socks.

She is a very gifted knitter. Our nephew Henry is always outfitted in hand made knits.

I love fall.

Make your own Foot & Ankle Therapy Box

2010-10-16T19:09:00.000-07:00

Make a wonderful foot and ankle therapy box for your studio!

What you will need:

Rolling plant base
Square or oval basket or container at least 2' wide and 10" deep
Decorative stone pebbles, marbles or dry beans.

For the base of your foot therapy box, you will need a rolling plant base. These are very commonly found at garden & patio supply shops. This one was around $8._ I tried to find a square base that matched the shape of my container.

Decorative stone pebbles have earth tones that look nice with a woven basket. _I also like the weight and resistance they give the feet. Physical Therapists commonly use dry beans for hand and foot rehab - you can also use marbles. (Use any container or filler you like: a canvas container would look pretty with white dried beans.) These are found in craft stores or floral decoration departments. For a few bags of pebbles it cost about $25

Place the basket on the rolling plant base, and fill the basket up with the decorative pebbles.

And now we are ready for some happy feet!

With the client sitting tall on their sits bones, place a small ball between the knees. The basket can roll to wherever they are sitting. Make sure the client has her knees at as close to a 90 degree angle as you can manage. The client can bury their feet in the pebbles and perform all the wonderful foot and ankle exercises you can think of._I love to keep the heels stationary and move the pebbles away from the center - then towards the center. Of course, there are always inchworms!

This is a really fun and refreshing way to perform some of our standard foot and ankle exercises. Clients get a lot of proprioceptive stimulation from the pebbles and it is a really effective feel-good exercise for tired feet.

..And when you are finished, just roll it out of sight.

Total cost: about $45.00
Total return: Happy foot & ankle workouts.

Make your own Sticky Socks!

2010-09-24T11:17:00.000-07:00

Have some crafty fun in your studio making sticky socks.

What you will need:

A pack of ankle socks
Puff Paint from the craft store (Joanne's fabric, Michael's)
Newspaper
Paper towels

This is a fun activity for a Pilates open house, an employee meeting or simply a slow afternoon at the Pilates studio. Painting your partner's sock while they paint yours if really quite fun for a group to become more social. Doing crafts together is relaxing and bonding experience for co-workers. Initiating a new instructor into the studio? Hold an open house and invite clients to make sticky socks.

Double up the socks on your foot, so you have a painted sock on the outside and a sock underneath to catch any bleeding through. Then that under sock can become the start of a pattern on it's own. Let your partner paint your foot, while you paint theirs.

We were experimenting with patterns and natural earth tones
Puff paints come in all kinds of colors, so you don't have to be limited to bright primary colors.

You paint while you are getting painted! One of our clients made a Picasso on my foot.

Simple patterns are easy and fun to draw. Having the sock already on the foot makes it easy to create a conforming pattern. They also make for a very functional Pilates sock.

Total Cost: Under $30
Total Return: A more bonded social atmosphere in your studio
and some great original sticky socks.

Our client Kelli - tre' artistic

A cheeky fun thank you!

2010-08-26T11:29:00.000-07:00

Scenario: Your client has just renewed her sessions and purchased another 10 privates. There is a check in front of you for $600 upwards; we are in a recession and people are still coming to Pilates. Your clients are dedicated to keeping their bodies healthy in an adverse economy, and trust your abilities to do so. What better way to thank them than with a mini bottle of bright green nail polish?

I like the brand Petites by CQ Cosmetics. The size is friendly and whimsical. A full sized bottle would almost be too much of a good thing. We don't want the gift to feel burdensome. This cheery little size says just enough: we like you & thank you for your business.

Total cost: under $2
Total return: An appreciate client who may even get a little laugh.

Of course, not all of your clients are going to wear blue or green nail polish -don't let that discourage you: Everyone has someone that they can pass it on to: a niece, their morning barista,

"My Pilates Instructor gave me this, (ha-ha) would you wear it?"
"Sure! Oh, where do you take Pilates?"

Check out where to buy Petites here they are found at most Rite Aids
(The popular colors are coming soon to my website)

How to Make a Pilates 'du Jour' Sign

2010-08-11T17:24:00.000-07:00

Daily hand-written signs are friendly and lively. They let people know what's going on inside your business. Restaurants use handwritten signs to feature what they have on the menu for that day - why not a Pilates studio?

Most people like to find a studio fairly close to their home or work. If a potential client has been eye-ing your studio on the way home, why not give them an invitation to come to class? Create a eye catching Today's Classes sign. Perhaps after seeing the "Wednesday Mat Class at 12:00" displayed on your sign, 3 or 4 times -the 5th time they may just stop in.

I made this one out of a children's' Ikea dry-erase board and added some wheat grass to give it a little character. It paid for itself within the first 3 hours it was out on the corner.

This Ikea dry erase board was $20 and the wheat grass $2.00-$3.00 a piece. Find them at any health food grocery or pet store. You could also use river stones. I think a little detail like this makes it interesting to foot traffic.

I chose wheat grass because I think it give the feeling of vitality!

I even put a few business cards in the grass.

Wall Sculpture for a Movement Studio

2010-08-09T08:09:00.000-07:00

This sculpture by Denise Snyder really feels like movement. It would be great in a Pilates or movement studio. _ I love the simplicity and drama of the two elements. For more info on this sculpture contact the artist (360) 647 -1152 Title: Red Rope (5' by 5') Tapestry & Fiber Art

Studio Sitting Area Design Ideas

2010-08-02T08:21:00.000-07:00

Enjoying a gray morning in the Queen Anne neighborhood of Seattle. Appreciating the interior design of this coffee shop, Muse Coffee Company. 1907 10th Ave West, Seattle, WA 98119

Studio sitting area ideas:

It is a great decorating technique to match furniture and objects primarily by shape. Subduing the colors, using a simple theme, draws the eye to the object's line - rather than style. -I like how the monocromactic coloring strips the object's meaning - and lets it be seen differently. This curious little assemblage of furniture makes me feel happy. It is inviting conversation before you even sit down.

Bodytonic Pilates, Seattle Wa

2010-07-18T18:57:00.000-07:00

I just started teaching Pilates on Sundays at Bodytonic Pilates in Seattle's historic Pioneer Square. The studio is nestled in an old building surrounded by exposed brick, black fire escapes, _and climbing ivy.

With my love for spacial design, I like how the bright cheerful interior juxtaposes the dark historic building. The colors and design elements reflect the ethnic, urban textures of the street.

Climbing the stairs up to the studio takes you back in time to the
Klondike Gold Rush of 1897.

A peaceful place to work out high above the bustling street.

View of downtown

Bodytonic Pilates is located on
89 Yesler Way 3rd floor Seattle, Washington 98104
Visit Bodytonic

New Clients Going on Vacation?

2010-07-13T11:41:00.000-07:00

Summer is here, a lot of my clients are going away on vacation. I wanted my newer clients who were nearing the end of their session packages to keep Pilates in mind whilst away. So, on our last sessions, before their trips, I gave them each complimentary luggage tags. This inexpensive gesture was very well received; a little bit of thoughtfulness goes a long way in keeping my clients feeling cared for. Adding a much better chance to keep new clients on my schedule when they return from their travels.

How to Reduce Shoulder Tension with the Foam Roller & the Pressure Pillow

2010-06-03T17:23:00.000-07:00

How many times do you have to remind your clients to keep their shoulders down during the early stages of Pilates training?

In most bodies, the shoulders, the trapezius, are a common muscle group that fires and tightens when the body's coordination is called upon in a new and challenging way:

     When the core is not yet  strong enough for a task, the trapezius muscles fire, and commonly compensate for the strain on the weaker inner unit and less powerful muscles.

The following is a series of simple exercises to help a beginning client release shoulder tension, and create a beautiful back extension helping to facilitate scapula-glide and stabilization that they will not soon forget!

In this example we use the Foam Roller and the Pressure Pillow:

Part One: Upper Trapezius & Rhomboid Release:

The Pressure Pillow is designed to relax the trapezius muscles and will help facilitate scapula glide.

1) Place the Pressure Pillow behind the shoulders. Using the straps, lower it down to the upper trapezius.

 2) Lay back on the mat; the two hard inner balls will cradle the spine and press in to the muscles between the shoulder blades and the spine. Use a small pillow to bring the head in-line with the torso.

3) Breathe and imagine directing the inhale towards the pressure behind the shoulders. Once the inner balls have settled into the back comfortably, circle the arms several times like a ballet port-de bra. Change direction and move the pillow to a new place, repeating the above steps.

Part 2: Swan on Foam Roller with Scapula Mobilization. (Thumbs-up, Thumbs-down)

1) Inhale: Shrug the shoulders, pointing the thumbs down, rolling the arms towards the ears in the sockets.

2) Exhale: Draw the shoulder blades down the back of the rib cage rolling the thumbs up, and the arms away from the ears. Lift the head neck and chest into extension. Making sure the cervical spine is in true extension of the thoracic spine (not a 'kicked-back' neck).

3) Inhale: Return down shrug the shoulders up.

Cues: Cue your client by: promoting the lift through the core, broadening the shoulders away from each other as the arms turn and the scapula glide down the back. Cue them to take deep, full breaths expanding the back of the rib cage. Here are some of my favorite cues for this exercise:
"Inhale, and imagine the back of your rib cage filling with air like a balloon."
"Exhale, let the shoulders slide down into your back pockets"
"Imagine your bones are your arms, and your muscles are your clothes; the bones move easily and freely inside the muscles."
"Imagine your wings are broadening as your arms unwind and your shoulders glide down the back of the ribcage." 

Photos by Jorge Lausell

Your client will enjoy the simple understanding of easy scapula movement and stabilization with a relaxed shoulder girdle.

Enjoy!