[NoHo Arts District, CA] – This NoHo Business Spotlight features Swan Movement Arts, a classical Pilates and yoga studio bringing Gratz equipment, sound healing and small-group instruction to the NoHo Arts District.
About Swan Movement Arts
The studio brings together classical Pilates, yoga, sound healing and aromatherapy in a welcoming space focused on movement, wellness and community. Clients can choose from group and private Pilates sessions using authentic Gratz equipment, the original apparatus developed for the classical Pilates method, with group classes capped at four people for individualized attention. The yoga program offers a range of classes, from energetic vinyasa flows to slower restorative practices, with an emphasis on mindful movement and proper alignment. The studio also hosts weekly sound baths, personalized sound healing sessions, and plans to expand its wellness offerings with aromatherapy workshops and hands-on DIY events.
Swan is the owner of the studio and brings decades of experience in movement and wellness to her work. A former competitive gymnast with more than 20 years of yoga practice, she holds certifications in classical and contemporary Pilates and advanced training in sound healing. Inspired by the transformative impact of classical Pilates on her own strength, mobility and recovery from injuries, Swan created a studio that combines movement, mindfulness and holistic wellness in a supportive community environment.
Why did you decide to open your own studio, and what did you want to offer that clients couldn’t find elsewhere?
I decided to open my own studio because I wanted to create a different kind of experience and teach classical Pilates to small groups. I have taught many places and many styles, but Classical Pilates or Contrology made my body feel so much stronger, longer, and pain free. But Classical Pilates is almost exclusively taught in private sessions. That inherently means that it is available to a much smaller group of people, and more affluent people. After having taught groups of 12, 8, and 6 Pilates classes… and many, many private sessions, I thought I could teach the Classical method to small groups – and share the amazing benefits of this method. I also wanted to open a beautiful studio, full of color and a joyful space. After having worked in spaces with primarily black equipment and neutral walls, I decided to make a studio that would lift the heart and make people feel welcome and happy to be in this space, especially with a method that has been so exclusive.
Many people are familiar with modern Pilates classes, but you teach classical Pilates. What’s the difference, and why does it matter for someone just getting started?
Thank you so much for this question. I have several reasons.. I have suffered injuries from being a young athlete, and have had chronic pain in my neck and shoulders, and it was the classical method that created a huge difference in how I felt, moved and live. I plateaued in modern or contemporary Pilates classes, and after I started the classical method, many things happened that I didn’t think were possible. For one, I got so much stronger, in places I had been weak for years- my neck, my left hip for instance. I gained much more flexibility and joint mobility and felt supported by the apparatus as I took on even more challenging routines and exercises (gratz equipment is designed to do this). I say routines because the classical method has a Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced Reformer Flow – and part of the wisdom of the original method is the set flow. As you approach each reformer class, you polish your practice until you are ready to add and work up to the next level. This creates a deepening of the work and a lot of self-awareness. You, as a student, can track and feel your progression. It’s truly rewarding when you can accomplish the whole series… and then move upward – getting even stronger and more flexible with each class.
Lastly, I must mention my equipment – it’s Gratz. They are the original makers of the Pilates equipment, and I have ½ Cadillacs in my studio, bringing much more than just a reformer workout to small groups. The ½ Cadillac has a tower at one end, and uses exercises that are typically reserved for private sessions – and some of them are the most amazing stretches you will ever get. The Tower work will challenge you in completely new ways than the reformer. Pilates is a system! Pilates is a lifelong pursuit, and I love that about it. There’s always more, and this makes me never bored and always challenged as a teacher and a student. I love sharing Tower, spine corrector, reformer, and traditional mat work with people so they can begin to strengthen themselves and stretch from so many different approaches. It might even be the same exercise – like the 100s – but you can do that on the mat, on the reformer, and on the spine corrector and work differently and build such a strong, supple body- it’s amazing. So classical Pilates lets you deepen your work, learn the flows, work through a system and be your best self.
What are the biggest misconceptions people have about Pilates before they try it?
I think people see images online of young, thin, pretty people doing Pilates in cute outfits, and like so many other fitness activities, this can be intimidating. I have consciously used images on my social media and website of real people of all shapes, colors and sizes. Pilates is for everyone. The best time to start is now. We have small classes and private sessions so you don’t have to worry about getting hurt or doing it wrong. Those are the other two things I hear. People are afraid of the equipment … don’t be – I will help you make friends! Lol. That is one reason I made the studio look beautiful. It’s a place for you to be your best and don’t worry about the rest. I think another myth is that you have to be in shape to start Pilates. Please come as you are. Pilates can create an Upward Spiral (as opposed to a downward one ) – you will feel better, and that helps people make even more healthy choices… eating, sleeping, social media… and upward spiral.
Who is Pilates really for? Are you seeing dancers, athletes, people recovering from injuries, complete beginners, or all of the above?
This is more of a question of what format is best. Pilates can help everyone. If you have specific goals or needs, then perhaps you’d be best served by a private session. I still teach many private sessions per week, and I love them. I get to take a deep dive, working one-on-one to help someone achieve a goal. A goal might be for improved balance (especially if they are older) or to lessen pain in the lower back or neck. This might be a place for private sessions to hone in on what specific workout we need to help with that. If someone has an injury or is coming from surgery, they may best be served in a private session. The advantage of my studio is that you can do both! Small group classes allow for more attention per person, so they receive the cues and corrections they need to have the best class, plus they have a variety of classes. Maybe the Tower class is best for them… I have people for all of these categories, which is one of the testaments to the method, the support and versatility of the equipment and the teaching. It’s always best to call and or email the studio if you’re unsure.
Your Pilates classes are limited to just four clients. How does that small-group format benefit beginners and help clients progress more effectively?
I have alluded to this before, but form and alignment are key features of an effective Pilates practice. Many of the Pilates exercises are quite different from traditional workouts. So, for a truly impactful Pilates workout, having a trainer/instructor to help you sink into these movements is critical to getting results. In large-format classes, the instructor has to spread herself amongst 12-20 students. Also, many students do not want any attention called to them for improvement to their movement. This dynamic changes in a small class. Everyone is supporting each other in their pursuit of an exercise and a healthy life. It creates a tight-knit community, and I have much more time to help students do their best on each exercise. Then the client gets to experience the legendary benefits of Pilates. The strength, the length, the joint mobility, the balance, the posture … the list is long! Pilates is powerful! I believe, and my lived experience tells me, that Pilates is most potent in private and small group classes. I love helping people achieve in class, and feel powerful, relieve stress and achieve goals. This happens here, in part because I can give much more to each client when the ratio is only 1:4.
The studio offers much more than Pilates. Tell us about the different classes, services and wellness experiences available to clients.
We have weekly yoga classes, including the 30×30 class (30 minutes of mat pilates, and 30 minutes of yoga), Slow Flow Yoga on Sundays, and a harder Flow and Glow (think sweaty faster) Yoga class on Fridays. In addition to yoga, we have themed multi-instrument Soundbaths once a month, featuring yogic breathing techniques and chants, and herbs and aromatherapy. I also offer private sound healing and yoga sessions. We have community workshops too. There’s a host of talented members at the studio, and the idea arose to have events. These include floral design, Mahjong, tarot, Feng Shui, astrology, and ceramics. I love to see the space filled and being used for the community as much as possible and practical, given it’s filled with Pilates equipment.
Why did you choose to open your studio in the NoHo Arts District, and what do you enjoy most about being part of the neighborhood?
I love the Arts District for the self expression, the energy, the other small businesses, so cool.. It’s vibrant, diverse and full of wonderful people. I enjoy most – the people. I have such great members and I meet amazing people every week. And dogs! People and their dogs, it’s just a great community.
What’s the biggest change you see in clients after a few months of consistent Pilates practice?
These are great questions! The biggest change – I think it’s posture related. People tell me all the time, they can sit at work and not be in pain anymore, or that they are standing up taller, they are moving their shoulders down and away from their ears, and their backs are not so swayed, or their pelvis is not tilted forward because of their strong abs! These are big wins for the body! I also see much greater coordination, integration, and, of course, core strength. Being able to move the body from the center – outward! Clients also have mental health gains. Being part of a supportive and healthy community, moving the body in a mindful way, and having a lot of fun here at Swan Movement Arts. Lots of laughter, it does a body good. A consistent Pilates practice is the best kind, and I see people stand taller, have greater confidence, feel proud, and connect to a community.
About Swan Movement Arts
The studio brings together classical Pilates, yoga, sound healing, and aromatherapy in a welcoming space focused on movement, wellness, and community. Clients can choose from group and private Pilates sessions using authentic Gratz equipment, the original apparatus developed for the classical Pilates method. The yoga program offers a range of classes, from energetic vinyasa flows to slower restorative practices, with an emphasis on mindful movement and proper alignment. The studio also hosts weekly sound baths, personalized sound healing sessions, and plans to expand its wellness offerings with aromatherapy workshops and hands-on DIY events.
Swan is the owner of the studio and brings decades of experience in movement and wellness to her work. A former competitive gymnast with more than 20 years of yoga practice, she holds certifications in classical and contemporary Pilates and advanced training in sound healing. Inspired by the transformative impact of classical Pilates on her own strength, mobility and recovery from injuries, Swan created a studio that combines movement, mindfulness and holistic wellness in a supportive community environment.
Where:
4906 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, CA 91601
Contact:
626.692.2202 | swanmovementarts@gmail.com