Today we’d like to introduce you to Elizabeth Smith.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I have been a dancer my whole life and while I was rehearsing and performing a lot in New York City I started to develop chronic back pain. I started taking Pilates 2-3 times a week and was able to not only heal my back but I also found a greater sense of strength and balance in my dancing. I decided I wanted to learn more about Pilates so I went through first the mat certification and then the apparatus certification. I fell in love with the beauty of Pilates- the balance of strength and stability. The Pilates movement stayed with me in all areas of life and I felt like I was bringing a more positive energy into the world after I left class. Through my teaching, I hope to help others find that as well. I taught on the Upper East Side in New York City for many years and when I moved to Los Angeles in 2013 I opened my open studio in Los Feliz. I currently teach 1-on-1 sessions in a private, light-filled studio space where happiness and empowerment are in abundance.
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?
I was lucky enough to get a teaching position immediately with a Pilates guru, Erika Bloom when she opened her studio on the Upper East Side in New York City. I was able to learn so much from her and she also brought in master teachers every few months to help us delve deeper into Pilates and its benefits. I was working in a studio with an incredible group of instructors that I was inspired by and loved to interact with every day. Once I moved to Los Angeles I was very focused on building up my clientele so that I could work for myself. While this is the business structure that I prefer, I am not around other instructors in my studio which is something I really miss. It’s important for me to keep up with new ideas and teaching methods as well as expand my knowledge of special populations and anatomy. It’s also nice to bounce ideas off of other teachers and get advice. I have made more of an effort to take a class, go to workshops and meet other instructors and now I have a good group of friends to share with.
Please tell us about Liz Smith Pilates.
I have a private Pilates studio in Los Feliz where I offer 1-on-1 instruction. I focus on each client’s individual needs and goals. My sessions are personalized, not routine or pre-set. I hope to give my clients an experience that is both relaxing and invigorating. My studio offers clients inspiration, support, balance, and improved strength.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Dancing with my ballet company.
Contact Info:
- Website: lizsmithpilates.com
- Email: liz@lizsmithpilates.com
- Instagram: lizsmithpilates
Image Credit:
Mattie Brickman
Raffi Alexander
