Quality over QUANTITY

When you eat at a fine restaurant, you’ll notice the portions are often smaller but more skillfully and artfully prepared than what you will find at a chain restaurant. Fine restaurants focus on quality over quantity. They also use better ingredients - often local and organic, The cost to dine at these upscale restaurants general costs bit more, too. They are often smaller in size and focused on creating a fabulous experience for a smaller crowded versus flipping tables and focused on a higher quantity of customers. I would venture to say the staff is also more in tune with customer service.

Does this sound like another business model as well? To me it’s the model of a small Pilates studio like Surprise Pilates! We focus on quality over quantity. Our chefs or Pilates teachers continue to train to bring you the best of the best. We have invested in the top of the line Pilates equipment and it makes a difference in your results. We focus on small class sizes so everyone is seen and gets their needs met. We are able to pivot and change the direction of a class based on the students at hand. This happens because we actually know our students by name and body. You won’t find that in a large class environment.

This morning I was teaching a group reformer class for 5 students and one student before class mentioned a movement that she did not feel she had succeed at. She said she felt bad about herself because she didn’t get it right. First - never feel bad if you can’t do a movement. Pilates is a practice and I am still learning and improving myself at 16 years in. Second - that is something we can address in a small class. I never want a student to feel they need to sit out an exercise that they don’t feel confident doing or haven’t mastered. It’s my job to present options that work for you and modifications when needed.

I had a plan for the class but we took a pivot. I knew with the right progressions this student was strong enough and had the base work to master this movement. She had felt fear and shut down in the past. I made a quick change to my plan and we built in a progressive series building confidence and success in movements that lead up to the scary one! After having success in the progressions and getting a better understanding of what was needed in her body - we progressed to the movement in question. She nailed it without hesitation or fear! I knew she would but she needed the ground work to feel she could as well. I truly think this is what makes a small, private studio special. We aren’t about turning over reformers and rushing in the next group. We actually care about your progress and how you feel about it.

Today I am happy to report my student left feeling happy and confident and with a big smile on her face. That’s what personal attention can do!